pulation: 72.04 years

male: 69.9 years

female: 74.29 years (2001 est.)

Total fertility rate: 6.04 children born/woman (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.11% (1999 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA

Nationality: noun: Omani(s)

adjective: Omani

Ethnic groups: Arab, Baluchi, South Asian (Indian, Pakistani, Sri
Lankan, Bangladeshi), African

Religions: Ibadhi Muslim 75%, Sunni Muslim, Shi'a Muslim, Hindu

Languages: Arabic (official), English, Baluchi, Urdu, Indian dialects

Literacy: definition: NA

total population: approaching 80%

male: NA%

female: NA%

Oman Government

Country name: conventional long form: Sultanate of Oman

conventional short form: Oman

local long form: Saltanat Uman

local short form: Uman

former: Muscat and Oman

Government type: monarchy

Capital: Muscat

Administrative divisions: 6 regions (mintaqat, singular - mintaqah)
and 2 governorates* (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah) Ad Dakhiliyah,
Al Batinah, Al Wusta, Ash Sharqiyah, Az Zahirah, Masqat, Musandam*,
Zufar*; note - the US Embassy in Oman reports that Masqat is a
governorate, but this has not been confirmed by the US Board of
Geographic Names (BGN)

Independence: 1650 (expulsion of the Portuguese)

National holiday: Birthday of Sultan QABOOS, 18 November (1940)

Constitution: none; note - on 6 November 1996, Sultan QABOOS issued
a royal decree promulgating a new basic law which, among other
things, clarifies the royal succession, provides for a prime
minister, bars ministers from holding interests in companies doing
business with the government, establishes a bicameral legislature,
and guarantees basic civil liberties for Omani citizens

Legal system: based on English common law and Islamic law; ultimate
appeal to the monarch; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage: in Oman's most recent elections in 2000, limited to
approximately 175,000 Omanis chosen by the government to vote in
elections for the Majlis ash-Shura

Executive branch: chief of state: Sultan and Prime Minister QABOOS
bin Said Al Said (since 23 July 1970); note - the monarch is both
the chief of state and head of government

head of government: Sultan and Prime Minister QABOOS bin Said Al
Said (since 23 July 1970); note - the monarch is both the chief of
state and head of government

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the monarch

election