Introduction

The Sultanate of Oman is an independent country in the southeastern quarter of the Arabian peninsula. It is bordered by the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. Its land borders are with the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Yemen.

Located in the southeastern corner of the Arabian peninsula, the Sultanate of Oman has been viewed as strategically important due to its position at the mouth of the Gulf. At one time in the past it had its own empire stretching down the east coast of African and competed with Portugal and Britain for influence in the Gulf and Indian Ocean.

Oman controls a small area on the Musandam Peninsula which extends into the strategically important Strait of Hormuz. At one time controlled by the Portuguese, Oman has maintained its independence since 1650.