Oman

Oman a strip of maritime territory in the most eastern portion of Arabia, extends between Ras el-Jibdl and Ras el-Had, and is bounded on the north-east by the Gulf of Oman, and on the south-west by the deserts of the interior. It has an area of about 80,000 square miles, and a population estimated in 1873 at 1,598,000, mostly Mohammedan. A part of the territory of Oman is known under the name of Muscat. At a distance of twenty to forty miles from the coast a chain of mountains runs parallel to it, which reaches in its highest ridge, called Jebel Achdar (Great Mountain), an elevation of 6000 feet; the average height is 4000 feet. There are a few not inconsiderable streams, and some richly fertile tracts, in this region, but the greater part is a waste of sand, with here and there a small oasis, where, however, the vegetation is most luxuriant. Groves of almond, fig, and walnut trees tower to an enormous height, overshadowing the orange and citron trees, but are themselves overtopped by the splendid date-palms. The country is rich in mining wealth; lead and gold are found in considerable quantity. SEE ARABIA; SEE PERSIA.