Muhafazat Zufar (Dhofar Governorate)
The Dhofar Governorate (مُحَافَظَة ظُفَار) is the largest of the 11 Governorates in the Sultanate of Oman in terms of area. It lies in Southern Oman, on the eastern border with Yemen's Al Mahrah Governorate and the southern border with Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province. It is a rather mountainous area that covers 99300 km2 and had a population of 416,458 as of the 2020 census. The largest city and capital is Salalah. Historically, the region was a source of frankincense. The local dialect of Arabic is Dhofari Arabic, which is distinct from that of the rest of Oman and from Yemen.
Map - Muhafazat Zufar (Dhofar Governorate)
Map
Country - Oman
Flag of Oman |
From the 17th century, the Omani Sultanate was an empire, vying with the Portuguese and British empires for influence in the Persian Gulf and Indian Ocean. At its peak in the 19th century, Omani influence and control extended across the Strait of Hormuz to 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 benefit. The UK recognized Oman's geographical importance as a trading hub that secured their trading lanes in the Persian Gulf and Indian Ocean and protected their empire in the Indian sub-continent. Historically, Muscat was the principal trading port of the Persian Gulf region.
Currency / Language
ISO | Currency | Symbol | Significant figures |
---|---|---|---|
OMR | Omani rial | رع. | 3 |
ISO | Language |
---|---|
AR | Arabic language |
EN | English language |
UR | Urdu |