Asia: All about Oman Trivia Quiz

Answer: Al Hajar

Muscat is located in the north-east of Oman, and the Al Hajar mountain range stretches throughout the north of Oman and through the east of neighbouring country, United Arab Emirates. It starts in the north, which creates the the Musandam peninsula. It is the highest mountain range located in the eastern portion of the Arabian peninsula. There is a variety of wildlife which includes leopards, and a wild goat called the Arabian tahr - a species not found anywhere else in Oman.

The summers in Muscat are long, with an arid, hot climate. Its winters are characterized as warm. Between November and April are the recommended months to visit for tourism, as these months are more moderate, less blistering and more comfortable to navigate.

Answer: Masirah Island

Masirah Island is located off the east coast of Oman, and is around 60 miles (95 km) long. Most of the island's population live in the north, in a tiny town called Hilf. Water sports are also an attraction of the island, as well as the wildlife. At least four species of turtle choose Masirah Island to nest on, and it is said that the island has a larger turtle population than that of people. The island even features a non-migrating school of humpback whales. Some 300 different species of bird are regulars on the island, a good number of which are rare.

RAFO Masirah is a military airport situated on the island.

Answer: Saudi Arabia

Oman's border with Saudi Arabia stretches for around 420 miles (675 km). Oman's border with United Arab Emirates is approximately 250 miles (410 km) long, and its border with Yemen is around 180 miles (290 km) long.

Oman does not share a border with Azerbaijan.

Answer: Bahla Fort

Built between the 13-14th century, its history, fertile sands and pottery earned Bahla Fort a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1987. Bahla Fort is a shining example of a fortified area situated in an oasis environment of the Islamic period. Here there is evidence of the impressive skill of the water management for the agricultural and homely needs of the earliest inhabitants of Oman. The canals that surround the complex channel the water to crops, and manage the seasonal rains, keeping the area well irrigated.

Bahla Fort is thought to have been established by the the Banu Nebhan between the 12th and 15th centuries, when this tribe held power in that part of Oman. It was also rejuvenated and expanded by the subsequent tribes who settled in the area. UNESCO had listed the fort as "in danger" due to rain erosion, but restoration work eliminated this threat in 2004.

Answer: Tayq sinkhole

The geology of the Arabian Peninsula means that there are plenty of sinkholes dotted across it. Tayq is a sinkhole and cave located in Dhofar Region, Oman, around 45 miles (74 km) east of the city of Salalah. It is so big that is resembles a wadi, or valley, and a cyclone once filled the depression with water in 2018.

Like other sinkholes of the area, Tayq was caused when the limestone cast was afflicted with dissolving water in the subsoil, until the eventual collapse of the top layer of soil.

Answer: Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque

Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque was opened in 2001, the construction being set in motion in 1993, to commemorate the 30th year of Sultan Qaboos' reign. It is the largest mosque in Oman, whose beauty and extravagance draws in many visitors a year. The mosque is square in shape, and its perimeters are defined by five pillars, which represent the five pillars of Islam. The main minaret stretches to just under 300 feet (95m) tall, while the remaining minarets all reach just under 150 feet (45 m) high. The main prayer hall boasts a 6,500 people capacity, with the women's hall being able to hold 750. The outside paved area amongst the gardens has an 8,000 person capacity, bringing the total capacity to around 20,000 people.

The mosque's chandelier measures an impressive 45 feet (14 meters) across and weighs 8,500 kilograms. Taking four years to complete, the chandelier boasts 24 carat gold plating, and the shine of around 600,000 Swarovski crystals. The mosque also features a large and beautiful Persian carpet, once the largest single piece in the world, measuring 196 x 229 feet (60-70m) and containing 1,700 million knots.

Answer: Dhofar

Dhofar is located in the south of Oman, and is 38,300 square miles (99,300 square km) in total area. It encompasses around a third of the territory of Oman, and shares a border with the country of Yemen. One of Oman's most fertile areas, major crops in Dhofar are bananas, coconuts, sorghum and various vegetables.

Dhofar is one of the suggestions for the unidentified Biblical location, "Ophir." which was revered in ancient times for its quality gold.

Answer: Salalah

The Tomb of Nabi Imran is around 40 foot (12 m) long, has a mosque on its north side and is next to the Haffa House Hotel, one of the most famous hotels of Salalah. It is the resting place of an Islamic prophet known as Prophet Imran.The Burj An Nahdah, an icon of Salalah, is situated within walking distance of the tomb.

Salalah is the largest city of Oman's Dhofar Province, and the third-largest city in the country. It is very misty and foggy through the months of July to August, despite receiving very little rainfall.

Answer: Jabal Shams

Jabal Shams (also known as "Jebel Shams") translates to "Sun Mountain" in Arabic, called so because it is the first place in Oman to be touched by the Sun daily, due to its height. It is just under 10,000 feet (3,000 km) high, and is situated in the north-east of Oman, around 150 miles (240 km) from Muscat. It is the highest mountain of the Al Mountain range. The Wadi Ghul, also known as the "Grand Canyon of Arabia" lies alongside the mountain.

The abandoned Ghul village on the mountainside is said to provide excellent views of the canyon.

Answer: Baisa

Oman did not have its own national currency until 1970, when the country was still called Muscat and Oman. Firstly using the rial Saudi, the country adopted the Omani rial in 1973, after Sultan Qaboos had Muscat and Oman's name officially changed to the Sultanate of Oman.

Before 1970, the rupee was the predominant currency in what is now Oman.

Answer: Jiddat al-Harasis

Jiddat al-Harasis is a desolate stone expanse of desert, situated in the south-central region of Oman. It divides the north of the country from Dhofor and covers an area of around 19,300 square miles (50,000 square km). The Arabian onyx lives here, as does the honey badger, the Arabian red fox, the Arabian gazelle and around 160 different species of birds, one of which is the endangered houbara bustard. The first inhabitants of this area arrived at the closing of the 19th century, and were the Hinawi Bedouin tribe, the Harasis.

One can see this barren desert on a straight road, between the cities of Nizwa to Salalah.

Answer: Turtle

A nesting place for green turtles, Ras al-Jinz is the easternmost point of the Arabian Peninsula. It is part of Oman's Ash-Sharqiyyah South Governorate. A permit is required to visit the beach at night, to avoid the turtles and their eggs becoming too disturbed by human activity. Flash photography is strictly outlawed at night whilst observing the turtles nesting.

Despite being kept from getting too close to them for the protection of the animals, some lucky visitors have witnessed baby turtles hatching, leaving their nest and then sliding back to the sea at Ras al Jinz. The peak times for hatching here are between May and September, but particularly around July to September. These are some of the hottest months to decide to travel to Oman.

In Oman, turtles also land on Masirah Island and the Daymaniyat islands.

Answer: Salalah

Qaboos bin Said ousted and exiled his father, Said bin Taimur, in a bloodless coup in 1970, with British support. Qaboos was educated in Suffolk, England and served briefly in the British army. He was born in Salalah in 1940, the sole son of Sultan Said bin Taimur and his second wife, Mazoon al-Mashani.

From 1932-1970, Salalah was the main residence for the Sultan of Muscat and Oman. When Qaboos took power in 1970, he moved the capital to Muscat.

Answer: United Arab Emirates

The highest portion of Jebel Hafeet is located within the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, of United Arab Emirates. The mountain offers breathtaking views of the Rub 'al-Khali, an expansive sand desert which spans for 250,000 square miles (650,000 square km) and covers of most of the southern portion of the Arabian Peninsula (including the countries of Oman, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen).

The Omani town of Al-Buraimi faces the United Arab Emirates city of Al Ain, along the border with this mountain.

Answer: Port of Salalah

The Port of Salalah is a major port of the Arabian Gulf, and sees all kinds of ships use its service, from cargo and container ships, to navy ships. It has been in operation since 1998.

While not the largest port in the entire country, Port Sultan Qaboos is the largest port in Oman's capital city, Muscat.