January 28, 2005

THE SULTANATE OF OMAN CELEBRATES THE 2005 MUSCAT FESTIVAL. A LARGE OMANI EVENT WHICH OCCUPIES A DISTINCTIVE PLACE AMONGST ARAB FESTIVALS. TOURISM IN OMAN: HISTORY, LEGACY AND RICHNESS. The 2005 Muscat Festival got off to an enthusiastic started, with large crowds converging on two of the three main venues Qurum Natural Park and Festival Plaza (Al Athaiba). Festival activities at the third venue Seeb Beach will kick off at the next weekend. Officials of Muscat Municipality, which has organised the 29-day-long bash, have expressed much satisfaction with the turnout, estimated in the several thousands at either venue. Scores of Gulf tourists, taking advantage of the long Eid al Adha public holiday, also thronged both venues, underlining the growing appeal of Muscat"s annual cultural extravaganza around the GCC. A festive ambience pervaded much of the city, accentuated by decorative lighting along main streets, colourful display panels and billboards, and not least, splendid weather conditions. Significant numbers of visitors descended on Qurum Natural Park where the biggest attraction is the Middle East"s first-ever "Circus on Ice", performed on a specially created ice arena within the Big Top. The Al Bahja Plaza, featuring a delectable mix of activities for children and families, was also a big draw, while the adventure-minded headed for Marah Land, which is the main amusement hub of the festival. At the Festival Plaza in Al Athaiba, visitors browsed through the sprawling Global Village featuring a huge array of merchandise displayed by over 20 participating nations. Not far, a succession of international folk troupes regaled audiences with some fine performances at a specially erected stage. A number of exhibitions and displays organised by various national associations and charity bodies also commenced. The Sultanate of Oman lies on the south cast corner of the Arabian Peninsula between latitudes 16¢40' and 26¢-20' north and longitudes 51¢50', and 59¢40' east. Its coast runs to a distance of 1,700 km from the Strait of Hormuz in the north to the borders of the Republic of Yemen, thus overlooking three seas, the Arabian Gulf, the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. It is bordered to the west by the UAE and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, to South by the Republic of Yemen, the Strait of Hormuz to the North and the Arabian Sea to the East. The Sultanate occupies a total area of about (309) thousand km2 and includes different terrains that vary front plain, to highlands and mountains. The coastal plain overlooking the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea forms the most important plain of Oman, the area of which amounts to 3% of the total landmass while the mountain make up 15% or the total area, paramount among which are two ranges: Al Hajr mountains which stretches in the form of an are from Ras Musandam in the north to Ras Al Had. The second is Al Qara mountain range situated in the far side of south west of Oman. Sand and desert cover the greatest area as they represent approximately 82% of the total area: most of it is the Empty Quarter. The Sultanate's climate varies from one area to another. In the coastal areas we find a hot and humid weather in summer while it is hot and dry in the interior, except for some high areas as the weather is moderate over the whole year. In the southern area the weather is more moderate. Rain in Oman is scarce and irregular. However, sometimes heavy rainfall is also reported. Governorate of Dhofar is an exception, where heavy and regular rain is registered from June to October due to monsoon. The Sultanate is divided administratively into three governorates, Muscat, Dhofar and Musandam, and five regions, Al Batinah, Adh Dhahirah, Ad Dakhliyah, Ash Sharqiyah and Al Wusta. These governorates and regions consist of' Wilayats amounting to 59 in number. Each region has one or more regional center. The total regional centers amount to 12. With a coastline of 1700km, Oman offers some of the cleanest, most stunning beaches a visitor could hope to see. Few beaches are private, except some attached to the beach resort hotels, or those adjoining military or official property. Weekend picnics and barbeques are popular on the beach. Many coves are perfect for snorkelling and with fairly gentle shelves, are good for children. Some of the beaches in the Muscat capital area include: Aviation Beach, or Shell Beach, Which is located near the Civil Aviation Club in Al Azaiba. A four-wheel drive vehicle is necessary to get down to the water's edge. It is abundant in starfish, crabs and exotic shells. Qurum Beach Qurum Beach, below the Crown Plaza Hotel, is well set up for visitors and has a number of picnic areas and palm shades. When the tide is low, one can take a 4km walk towards the Embassies' area in Shati Al Qurum. Approximately half way along this stretch of beach is the Muscat Inter-Continental hotel. Around this area are many jet-ski rentals. Bandar Jissah Bandar Jissah is located near Qantab, on the way to Al Bustan. The bay is quite secluded and the rocks at the foot of the cliffs can be good for exploring when the tide is out. Snorkelling is popular here. There is also a children's playground and snack shop. Marjan Beach Marjan Beach, near Petroleum Development Oman (PDO), is quiet during the day, but tends to get livelier in the early evenings. It has some small coral reefs, perfect for the novice snorkeller, as one doesn't have to swim too far out before seeing the likes of clown fish, parrot fish, sea cucumbers and occasionally, turtles and rays. Local fishermen can be seen spearing cuttlefish. Forts Forts and Castles are Oman's most striking cultural landmarks and, together with its towers and city walls, they have historically been used as defensive bastions or look-out points. Forts were often the seats of administrative and judicial authority. There are over 500 forts, castles and towers in Oman which has a coastline of 1,700 kms, so they were needed to protect it from potential invaders. The architectural styles vary, being determined by the architects who built them or the periods in which they were built. Jalali and Mirani Which are among Oman's most famous forts stand at the entrance to Muscat bay. Mirani, which was built before the arrival of the Portuguese, was originally shaped like a tower. Then in 1588 the Portuguese rebuilt it on the ruins of its old structure, adding emplacements, stores, living quarters for the commander and a place of worship. The building was enlarged to its present size in the reign of Imam Ahmed bin Said, the founder of the Al Busaidi state in the 18th century, and his grandson Sayyid Said bin Sultan, at the beginning of the 19th century. The forts of Al Jalali and Al Mirani are the capital's most prominent landmarks and were built in the 16th century AD. The Portuguese completed their construction of Jalali Fort in 1587. Its present-day form dates from the reign of Sayyid Said bin Sultan, and this Fort was restored and converted into a museum in the reign of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said. Rustaq Fort Is amongst the oldest, is the tallest, and is surrounded by watch towers. (Al Batinah) originally known as Qalat Al Kisra, was built in the 13th century. It has four towers: Al Burj Al Ahmar; Al Burj Al Hadeeth; Al Burj Al Reeh; and Al Burj Ashiateen (which means, ominously, the devil's tower). A falaj ran through the fort to supply water to its inhabitants. Should this become contaminated, the inhabitants were able to rely on a well. There are many rooms to this fort and it also boasts a mosque, weapons' room, prison, and reception area. Bahla Fort Main feature is its 7-mile long walls which were patrolled by sentries night and day. The Fort's internal staircases and walls were built of mud, coated with gypsum and sarooj (a traditional type of mortar) which are as hard and solid as present-day cement. UNESCO has approved Bahla Fort and Wall for inclusion in its World Heritage List. Nizwa Fort Nizwa Fort, (A'Dakhliyah) built by Imam Sultan bin Saif al Ya'arubi in 1668, is the biggest fort in the Arabian Peninsula with an exterior diameter of its circular structure of 150 feet, and over 115 feet high. The fort was once used as the Imam's headquarters and is a stronghold designed to withstand some of the most aggressive sieges. The traditional doors are inches deep and over the lintel of each is a hole through which boiling oil could be poured over the marauding enemies. Jabrin Fort Jabrin Fort was built by Imam Sultan bin Saif Al Ya'arubi in 1670 as a defensive stronghold and as living accommodation for the Imam. It has rooms and ceilings decorated with fine carvings. It has two huge towers with walls two metres thick.it was built by Bil'arab bin Sultan, an Imam of the Ya'aruba dynasty during the 17th century. It is one of the most impressive forts in the Sultanate and the details and carvings in the rooms and balconies are most elaborate. Finely painted flowers and symbols are found on the ceilings in the 'living' rooms. The tomb of Imam Bil'arab remains within the fort. Nakhl Fort Nakhl Fort (Al Batinah) is within an hour's drive of Muscat and provides a morning of sight-seeing. The fort is 350 years old and is set in a gorge, surrounded by a mountain enclave. In 1990, sympathetic restoration work began, using traditional building materials and period furnishings. The carved master gate is believed to date back to the 1830's during the reign of Sayyid Said bin Sultan. Al Hazm Castle Located in Al Hazm town in Welayat Rustaq. It was built by Imam Sultan bin Seif (the 2nd.) in ( 1123 A.H.1711 A.D.) when he established Al Hazm town as a capital of Oman instead of Rustaq. The Castle is distinctive from other Omani Castle and forts by its magnificent shape and massive building. It contains the tomb of its builder / Imam Sultan bin Seif (the 2nd.). It was restored by the Ministry in ( 1416 A.H. - 1996 A.D. ). Sohar Fort Located in Harat Al Hajara in Sohar town. Dated back to 179 A.H., It was renovated, to its present shape, in the (Eighth - Ninth century A.H.) (14th A.H. - 15th A.D.). During the reign of Imam / Nasser bin Murshid Al Ya'arubi, he was able to conquer and expel the Portuguese from this castle. Sohar castle remained as administration Centre for the ruling Al Busaid dynasty. The Ministry restored the Fort in 1985 and used it as a museum in 1993. Mirbat Castle Dated back to the 19th. century or earlier than that and located in the Welayat of Mirbat in Dhofar Governorate. This castle played defensive and administrative roles throughout history. It was restored by the Ministry in 1991 and was officially opened in 1996 on the occasion of the Year of Heritage. It was furnished and equipped with handicrafts from Dhofar Governorate and from the other Regions of Oman. Khassab Castle Located opposite to the seacoast in Welayat Khasab in the north of Oman. It consists of four buildings surrounded by a wall and it was built in the sixth century A.D. The Ministry restored it in 1989. Al Mintrib Castle One of the oldest castles in Welayat Badiya. Built during the reign of Imam / A'zzan bin Qais Al Busaid ( 1285 A.H. - 1868 ) and was used in the past as a center for the Welayat. The Ministry restored it in 1989. Al Khandaq Castle Located in Hamasa town in Welayat Buraimi. It was called ( Al Khandaq ) because of the ditch surrounding it . It is a square shape building with four circular towers and a main gate surrounded by high fences . The Ministry restored it in 1994. Albuquerque Albuquerque in 1507 described Sohar Fort as "a fortress of square shape, with six towers round it, having also over the gate two very large towers". The fort was so large that it then required over 1,000 men for its defence. Parks and Gardens For what is typically considered a 'desert country', Oman astounds the visitor with its verdant gardens, and elaborate floral displays lining the highways and byways. All the parks are free to enter and usually have small snack shops or drinks stands. Muscat embraces several parks that varied in areas and location. from the main big parks and Qurum Natural Park, Riyam and Al Naseem. Generally the parks attract a lot of people because of the Muscat Municipality keenness for planting trees inside these parks and increasing the green areas, the matter which encourage more people to enjoy visiting them during official holidays. Some parks, in or near to Muscat district are as follows: Qurum Natural Park It was opened in 1993 and is 1715449 m2, the largest park in Muscat. The park contains a large boating lake and fountain, 'Waterfall Hill', Sultan Qaboos' Rose Garden and meandering pathways, weaving amongst pungent-smelling shrubs and floral beds. The idea of its design depends on exploiting the nature and topographic features of the area to create wonderful and comfortable scenes for the visitors. Qurum Park succeeded in combining between the unique location and the suitable aesthetic and artistic design. Al Naseem Public Park It is the first park to be established in Oman and inaugurated during the celebrations of the 15th National Day in1985. It took about 11 months to be built, its gross area is 750,000sq.m and it is about 30km from A'Seeb International Airport. It is located on the highway leads to Batinah area. The park is equipped with all facilities of children's park as there are different games like the small train that tours the whole area, playgrounds for football, volleyball and tennis as well as a library. In 2000 the Japanese Garden, which was built by the Japanese Embassy in Muscat, was inaugurated in the context t of the good relations between the two countries. Amongst many other features, an Arabic garden, Japanese garden, mini falaj system and a small train capable of holding 70 passengers which circumnavigates the park. Riyam Park Riyam Park overlooks the sea and designed on several heights that gives distinguished dimension for the park which covers an area of 100,000 sq. m. The park was designed in style that combines between the natural and architectural design and there are wide green areas, children games and playgrounds. The park, which is located in Muttrah, offers several services for the visitors. It is a favourite park with children. It is a huge, rambling place whose main feature is an enormous incense burner which, when climbed, provides stunning views of the nearby harbour and surrounding seacliffs. A static fairground is open from 4pm each day providing thrills and spills for the young and the young-at-heart. Kalbou Beach Park It is coastal strip extends from the Sea Road to the mountain edge, which is a distinguished location in the heart of Muscat City. It is an attraction spot for those who are willing to enjoy walking and fishing. Al Wadi Al Kabeer Park It is located on the road leads to Al Bustan Palace Hotel in Muscat on an area of 40,000sq.m. The park consists of various facilities and services; also there is special division for electric games that attract children and families. Al A'merat Public Park It is located on the highway opposite the satellite station. It covers an area of 30,000sq.m and considered an entertainment attraction for the citizens. Quriyat Lake Park It was inaugurated in the early of 2002 on the road to the central market of the Wilayat and the Sea Road. The park is equipped with artificial lake and places for recreations. The Park of A'Seeb Beach This park is located on the beautiful sand beaches of A'Seeb where the sea - water are pure and clean. It is equipped wish water sports, artificial lake in addition to the children playgrounds_ and fast, food restaurants. Oman has a surprisingly varied wildlife, both on land and in the surrounding waters. Strict laws have been established to ban hunting as a number of indigenous animals have now become endangered, such as the Arabian leopard and the Arabian Oryx. Nature reserves have been set up throughout the Sultanate to protect the natural habitats of mammals such as the leopard, Oryx, gazelle, taher, ibex, desert foxes and wild cats. The warm waters are home to 22 species of whale and dolphin. Oman is a member of the International Whaling Commission and follows the Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) guidelines in preventing the trade of endangered animals. Turtles are attracted to Oman's shores and turtle breeding reserves are located at Ras al-Jinz and the Dimaaniyat Islands. Oman has a profusion of exotic marine life and some of the best dive sites in the world. In particular, the Hallaniyat Islands and the Dimaaniyat Islands offer chances to see beautifully coloured tropical fish and unusual hard and soft corals. The al-Saleel park is a nature reserve located in the town of al-Kamil wal-Wafi, in the Interior of Oman, and was established to protect gazelles and plantations of Samr and Ghaf trees (Acacia tortilis and Cineraria). The Jiddat al-Harasis Reserve is home to the Arabian Oryx and the area is listed on the World Natural and Cultural Heritage register by UNESCO. Approximately 400 birds have been recorded in Oman during the seasons. Because it is located at the hub of three different geographical land masses, Oman is host to many foreign species, such as the Golden Oriole, Nightjar and White Stork. In the breeding season, public entry is prohibited to the Dimaaniyat Islands, where there is a bird sanctuary. During September to November, many eagles migrate to Oman, such as the Imperial Eagle and the Greater Spotted Eagle.