Oman History

History
Oman, officially the Sultanate of Oman, is an Arab country on the southeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia. Its official religion is Islam.

From the late 17th century, the Omani Sultanate was a powerful empire, vying with Portugal and Britain for influence in the Persian Gulf and Indian Ocean. At its peak in the 19th century, Omani influence or control extended across the Strait of Hormuz to modern-day Iran and Pakistan, and as far south as Zanzibar. When its power declined in the 20th century, the sultanate came under the influence of the United Kingdom. For over 300 years, the relations built between the two empires were based on mutual benefits. Britain recognized Oman's geographical importance as a trading hub that secured their trade lanes in the Arabian Gulf and Indian Ocean and protected their empire in the Indian sub-continent.

Oman has sizable oil reserves, ranking 25th globally. In 2010, the United Nations Development Programme ranked Oman as the most improved nation in the world in terms of development. Oman is categorized as a high-income economy and ranks as the 70th most peaceful country in the world

Timeline
1507 - 1650 Portuguese arrived in Oman and occupied Muscat for a 143-year period 1737 - The Persians invaded Oman but they were driven out in 1749 when the Al Said dynasty came to power. It continues to rule Oman to this day 1970 - Slavery, once a cornerstone of the country's trade and development, was outlawed