Oman is a 1,000-mile-long (1,700 km) coastal plain at the southeast tip of the Arabian Peninsula lying on the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman. Arabs migrated to Oman from the 9th century BC onward, and conversion to Islam occurred in the 7th century AD Muscat, the capital of the geographical area known as Oman, was occupied by the Portuguese from 1508 to 1648. Then it fell to Ottoman Turks, but in 1741, Ahmad ibn Sa'id forced them out, and the descendants of Sultan Ahmad rule Oman today.
Like Yemen to the southwest, the territory of Oman has always benefited from its fine trading position at the southern extremity of the Arabian peninsula. From here merchants, without needing to sail far from land, can make easy contact with Persia to the north, India to the east and Africa to the south. This stretch of coast, together with that of Muscat just round the corner, is a valuable territory.
From the 6th century BC until the arrival of Islam, some 1200 years later, both Muscat and Oman are under the control either of the Persian empire or of rulers from neighboring Yemen. In the 7th century AD, like the rest of Arabia, they acquire new masters - the caliphs of Medina.
The ruling sultan was deposed on July 23, 1970, and the new sultan, Q?b?s ibn Sa??d, began to modernize the nation: he changed its name to Sultanate of Oman and, on December 17, 1970, introduced the new national flag.
The red base is taken from Oman's previous flag and represents the reigning Al Bu Said dynasty, which has been ruling Oman since the mid-18th century and also symbolizes the difficulties Oman overcame in its search for independence.
Fascinating facts and history of Oman flag emphasize how different people can perceive the same things because of their education or the country they grew up in. Green symbolizes the natural environment, "the Green Mountains" that are located in the Northern part of the country, red is a common symbol in most of the Gulf state flags and finally, the dagger shows the sovereignty of their leader.
Like Yemen to the southwest, the territory of Oman has always benefited from its fine trading position at the southern extremity of the Arabian peninsula. From here merchants, without needing to sail far from land, can make easy contact with Persia to the north, India to the east and Africa to the south. This stretch of coast, together with that of Muscat just round the corner, is a valuable territory.
From the 6th century BC until the arrival of Islam, some 1200 years later, both Muscat and Oman are under the control either of the Persian empire or of rulers from neighboring Yemen. In the 7th century AD, like the rest of Arabia, they acquire new masters - the caliphs of Medina.
The ruling sultan was deposed on July 23, 1970, and the new sultan, Q?b?s ibn Sa??d, began to modernize the nation: he changed its name to Sultanate of Oman and, on December 17, 1970, introduced the new national flag.
The red base is taken from Oman's previous flag and represents the reigning Al Bu Said dynasty, which has been ruling Oman since the mid-18th century and also symbolizes the difficulties Oman overcame in its search for independence.
Fascinating facts and history of Oman flag emphasize how different people can perceive the same things because of their education or the country they grew up in. Green symbolizes the natural environment, "the Green Mountains" that are located in the Northern part of the country, red is a common symbol in most of the Gulf state flags and finally, the dagger shows the sovereignty of their leader.
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