Landscape of Oman - Essay Example

? Landscape of Oman Landscape of Oman Introduction Oman is a vast and diverse country in the heart of the Middle East and is at the coast of the Arabian Sea. The country itself is sparsely populated, yet the people enjoy a quality of life that ranks it near the top in the region. The psychical and cultural landscape of the country is quite fascinating and it is a wonder to consider how the country has thrived under harsh desert conditions that make it difficult to sustain any noticeable plans for agriculture or to gain adequate and safe access to drinking water. There are many interesting aspects to the country as well, such as the steep history of Bedouin people throughout the region (Chatty, 1983). One interesting aspect of the Bedouin culture is that it is impolite to allow the bottom of your foot to point toward another person. It is facts like this that make the landscape of Oman interesting to discover and write about. What follows is a bit more about the specific components that make up the landscape of this history rich country. Origin of the Landscape As Oman is located on the southeastern portion of the Arabian Peninsula, it has formed quite a diverse landscape over the years. There are multiple landforms present in the country including mountains, deserts, coastal strips that have become quite fertile, and gravel plain. When many think of Oman, they might envision a vast and flat desert, yet the Jabal al-Akhdar Mountain, also known as Green Mountain, is over 10,000 feet in elevation at its peak. That can be contrasted with the beautiful Musandam Peninsula, which is at the Strait of Hormuz. The landscape of this are is actually separate from the rest of Oman and add to the rich diversity of the country even more (Eickleman, 1983). It is a location where residents and visitors alike can come to enjoy the weather and go snorkeling. That certainly makes it unique when compared to other countries in the region. Ethnic Makeup of the Omani People The Omani people are a surprisingly homogenous group. For the most part, they have descended from the following ethnic groups: Arab, Baluchi, Persian, South India, and East Africa. Because of the rich resources available in the country, and relatively small labor pool, more than 600,000 expatriates call Oman their full-time home, so they would need to be considered a vital part of the cultural landscape as well. These individuals largely come from India and Bangladesh, in addition to the Philippines, Egypt, Sudan, Jordan, and Palestine. Generally speaking, the Omani people are considered to be among the most friendly, open, and tolerant of the Middle Eastern countries. Their ethnic background has generated a conservative and traditional way of life, yet the people are also interested in make technological and economic progress (Janzen, 1986). As such, the country is not stuck in a traditional upbringing, but it is moving forward to form an even more diverse cultural landscape. It is important to note that Omani people do tend to identify themselves along ethnic roots, so there is a social class distinction evident within the country. This has created the situation where family is valued over all else, so great importance is placed upon one’s family tribe of origin and their lineage, rather than on the individual or peer group. This type of ethnic breakdown has served the country well, however, as they have been one of the few countries in the region to balance this sense of tradition with the foresight to embrace modernity and economic progress. Role of Religion in Forming the Landscape As one would expect, religion has play a key part in the development of Oman’s cultural landscape. No surprisingly, nearly 75% of the inhabitants identify themselves as Ibadi Muslims, with the rest of the population largely being either Sunni or Shi’i Muslims. There are few other religious beliefs openly practiced in the country, so Islam has certainly served to shape the countries identity over the past few thousand years. While not generally being known for fundamentalism, the people of Oman are certainly practicing Muslims and, as such, they practice the Five Pillar of Faith and they do honor the traditional Muslim Holy Days. In addition, the people of Oman have demonstrated a tolerance for other regions that they put into action, not just words. Counter to other countries in the region, they do allow expatriates living in the area the freedom to worship as they choose, so there are a scattering of Christian churches and Hindu temples dotting the landscape. All the Omani people is that their dominant religion of Islam be respected as well (Hawley, 1995). So far, this coexistence between the religious beliefs of the people of Oman and the expats contributing to the economic vitality of the area has worked. Patterns of Land Use and Settlement Owing to the vast amount of land that is harsh and offers difficult living conditions, the vast majority of the Omani people live in the major cities of the country. Because of its proximity to the sea, Oman first developed as a region home to seafaring merchants. The prosperity of the country, and the settlement of the land in any noticeable fashion, can be dated all the way back to 2,000 B.C. This is when we know that Oman already had advanced housing structures, the capacity to make pottery, the foresight to irrigate crops, and the ability to smelt copper. They made use of the land and prospered as a result. This also proved to a bit detrimental at times throughout history, however, as their well known location and relative prosperity made them a prime target for invasion. In the end, however, the ethnic tradition remains relatively intact as the Sultan won back control of the country in 1650 and the region has been largely stable since, with a few hiccups along the way of course (Kechichian, 1995). Role of Water Because of various geographical conditions present in Oman, the country depends almost exclusively on the desalination of sea water in order to provide drinking water to the people. Over the years, however, the country has developed quite the infrastructure to accomplish this and the people have continued to flourish. Water does play an important role in Oman in other areas as well. As mentioned, the proximity to the sea makes it a major shipping route throughout the region. Throughout its history, Oman has been home to numerous traders, merchants, and fisherman. The water has allowed the country to flourish into the prosperous and modern country that it is today. Conclusion Oman is a fascinating country to study. They are a model in terms of being able to bridge traditional culture and ways of life with the reality that the world is quickly evolving. Oman has been able to keep up the pace with global expansion, while still affording its citizenry the opportunity to hang onto traditional ideals and their religious faith. It has not been an easy feat in a country of only 3 million people and as diverse a physical and cultural landscape that is present, but stable leadership has contributed to this reality. The people are friendly, the land is able to sustain the people, and the proximity to the water contributes endless possibilities for further economic expansion. All indicators are that Oman should continue to progress and flourish, even the fact of modernity. The people are tolerant and respectful, and there is enough outside assistance that provides the country with the labor and ingenuity needed to move forward. It is certainly a country that is worth a visit, and is definitely a country whose landscape should be studied and understood. References Chatty, D. (1983). The Bedouin of central Oman. Journal of Oman Studies, 6(1), 149-162. Eickelman, D. (1983). Omani village: The meaning of oil. In J.E. Peterson, ed., The Politics of Middle Eastern Oil. Hawley, D. (1995). Oman and its renaissance Jubilee edition. Janzen, J. (1986). Nomads in the Sultantate of Oman. Kechichian, J. (1995). Oman and the world: The emergence of an independent foreign policy. Read More