Sultanate of Oman located in Southwest Asia, surrounded by the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman and Persian Gulf, between Yemen and the UAE. It covers a total land area of approximately 300,000 sq km. The land area is composed of varying topographic features such as valleys and desert, mountain ranges and the coastal plain. The sultanate is also bordered by the Gulf of Oman, the Arabian Sea and the Rub al Khali (Empty Quarter) of Saudi Arabia. The Rub al Khali and Al Hajar Mountains formed a barrier for the Sultanate and kept the interior of Oman free from foreign military encroachments.

Natural features of Oman divide the country into 7 distinct areas, namely, Ruus al Jibal; Al Batinah coastal plain; Muscat-Matrah coastal area; Oman interior; Dhofar region in the south and the offshore island of Masirah.

Ruus al Jibal
The northernmost area, Ruus al Jibal, extends from the Musandam Peninsula to the boundary with the UAE at Hisn al Diba. It borders the Strait of Hormuz that links the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman. The region is separated from the rest of the sultanate by a strip of territory belonging to the UAE. It consists of low mountains forming the northernmost extremity of the Al Hajar al Gharbi (Western Al Hajar) Mountains.

Al Batinah
The UAE territory separating Ruus al Jibal from the rest of Oman extends almost as far south as the coastal town of Shinas. From this point, Al Batinah, a narrow coastal plain, runs from the point at which the sultanate is re-entered to the town of As Sib, about 140 km to the southeast. Across the plains, a number of wadis descend from the Al Hajar al Gharbi Mountains to the south. Several oases, watered by wells and underground channels (falaj), extend the length of the plain, about 10 km inland.

Muscat-Matrah Coastal Area
For about 175 km from As Sib to Ras al Hadd, the land is barren and bounded by cliffs throughout its entire length. There is no cultivation and little habitation. Although the deep water off this coast renders navigation relatively easy, there are few natural harbors or safe anchorages. The Muscat and Matrah are the 2 best natural harbors that facilitated the growth of cities centuries ago.

Oman Interior
West of the coastal areas lies the plateau of central Oman. The Al Hajar Mountains form two ranges: the Al Hajar al Gharbi Mountains and the Al Hajar ash Sharqi (Eastern Al Hajar) Mountains. They are divided by the Wadi Samail, a valley that forms the traditional route between Muscat and the interior. The general elevation is about 1,200 m but the peaks of the high ridge known as Al Jabal al Akhdar (Green Mountain) rise to more than 3,000 m in some places. Behind the Al Hajar al Gharbi Mountains are two inland regions, Az Zahirah and inner Oman, separated by the lateral range of the Rub al Khali. Adjoining the Al Hajar Ash Sharqi Mountains are the sandy regions of Ash Sharqiyah and Jalan that also border the desert.

Dhofar Region
Dhofar region extends from Ras Ash Sharbatat to the border of Yemen with its capital at Salalah. The highest peaks are about 1,000 m. At their base lies a narrow, pebbly desert adjoining the Rub al Khali to the north.

Coastal Tract and Island of Masirah
The deserted coastal tract from Jalan to Ras Naws has no specific name. Low hills and wastelands meet the sea for long distances. Midway along this coast and about 15 km offshore is the barren Masirah Island. Stretching about 70 km, the island occupies a strategic location near the entry point to the Gulf of Oman from the Arabian Sea. Because of its location, it became the site of military facilities used first by the British and then by the USA, following an access agreement signed in 1980 by the USA and Oman.

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