The Sultanate of Oman occupies most of the southeastern area of the Arab Peninsula and was first mentioned in cuneiform writings as »Magan, the Land of Copper« in the third millennium B.C. As a result of its geo-political location, this region has repeatedly played a significant role in international trade relations throughout the course of history. Seafaring, fishing, cattle breeding and agriculture formed the basis of this civilization’s existence until oil and gas fields were discovered.

Nature determined a tri-partition of the country into the north, a desert area south of it and the south. The north is the heart of the country. It is divided into a coastal zone of differing width, a mountainous area and an arid interior. Northern Oman is characterized by the highest elevation on the Arab Peninsula, i.e. the mountain range Jabal Akhdar, reaching a height of nearly 3,000 meters. The designation »Jabal Akhdar«, i.e. The »green mountain«, is attributed to the abundance of water that is available in this region and that has rendered possible the development of a complex irrigation system and the oasis-based culture thus evolving. Countless fortresses and settlements bear witness to a history of settlement activity going back as far as the third millennium B.C. For a long time, Oman was subjected to Perso-Iranian influence and its coastline was thus of significance to Persian maritime trade. As a result of its strategically favorable location, power interests also extended to inner Omani regions in the first millennium B.C. Being protected by the mountains, settlements evolved on the southeastern flank of the Jabel Akhdar that were taken over by Arabian tribesfrom Yemen in pre-Islamic times.

These settlements enjoyed an economic boom throughout the course of the Arabian conquest in the 6th and 7th centuries A.D. Not only the ports, but also the inner Omani towns began to gain significance. Historical centers such as Nizwa formed the political, cultural, religious and economic focal point of the country for centuries. Being once again subjected to a stronger influence of Persian power, coastal towns developed into significant trading centers in the 13th century. Upon the discovery of the ocean route to India via Vasco da Gama in the 16th century, the Portuguese occupied the eastern coast of Africa and the Omani ports. Inner Omani tribes cried out for the need to resist Portugal as a colonial power and, in 1650 during the reign of the Ya’arubah dynasty, the complete expulsion of the Portuguese was accompanied by Omani expansion to eastern Africa (Zanzibar).

Flourishing maritime trade gave rise to new prosperity that also extended to inner Omani regions. The Ya’arubah imams promoted agriculture by investing in the construction of new »aflaj« (water canals), planting numerous date palms and extending defensive structures. Internal struggles for power led to the end of the Ya’arubah dynasty, thus paving the way for accession to power by the Al Buhsaid dynasty that still reigns today. In the middle of the 18th century, Muscat became the capital of Oman and Omani trade policy reached its peak. It was not until the end of the 19th century that Omani territories in parts of eastern Africa had to be relinquished in the face of the growing influence of the colonial powers. In the 70s, Oman was caught up in the oil boom and, within but a brief period, cultural, social and economic changes took place and a modern development began.