Oman

History of Oman

Brief history of Oman summarized

A look at the history of Oman, briefly.

Oman Principles

As early as 2,300 BC, Oman was recorded by the Sumerians of ancient Iraq as a rich source of copper. In ancient times, Oman was also a source of frankincense. After 500 BC, Oman was controlled by the Persian Empire based in what is now Iran. They were later ruled by other Iranian empires, the Parthians and the Sassanids.

In the 7th century AD the people of Oman adopted Islam. At that point Iranian influence ended. In 1507 the Portuguese reached Oman by sea. The Portuguese needed bases to protect their sea routes to India and in 1515 they captured Muscat.

The Portuguese controlled the coast of Oman for nearly 150 years. However, in 1650 the Omanis from the interior expelled the Portuguese. Meanwhile, in 1646 Oman signed a commercial treaty with England. In 1698 Oman captured Mombasa (Kenya) and Zanzibar.

Then in 1737 the Persians invaded Oman. However, the Omanis soon recovered. In 1747 the Persians were expelled from Oman. In 1832, the ruler Said the Great moved the capital from him to Zanzibar. However, after his death in 1856, his children fought for the succession.

As a result, Zanzibar and Oman became separate countries. Finally, in 1913, the interior of Oman was separated from the coastal region. By the Treaty of Seeb in 1920 the sultan granted internal autonomy. However, in 1959, the sultan regained control of the interior of Oman.

Oman today

In 1967 oil was exported from Oman for the first time. Oil wealth transformed Oman from a poor country to a rich one. After 1970 the sultan modernized the country in what became known as the Omani Renaissance. In 1971 Oman joined the Arab League and the United Nations.

In the years between 1970 and 2013, life expectancy in Oman increased considerably. In 2003, Omani women were allowed to vote for the first time.

In the 2010s oil revenues fell, but the Oman government tried to diversify the economy. Today Oman is a prosperous and developed country. Currently, the population of Oman is 4.6 million.

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