Have finished my last meeting and now just typing up notes before going to the airport and home. Hoping that British Airways strikes and volcanic ash don't disrupt our plans.
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Wednesday 19 May 2010
Tuesday 18 May 2010
Sultan Qaboos
Qaboos bin Said al Said is the Sultan of Oman. He came to power in 1970 - some say he overthrew his father, others that his father abdicated. He went to school in England. When he came to power the country changed its name from Muscat and Oman to the Sultanate of Oman. The political system he established is one of absolute monarchy. He has no children so someone else from the royal family will take over when he dies.
Muttrah
Muttrah is a city in the province of Muscat in Oman. Before the discovery of oil in Oman, Muttrah was the centre of commerce for the country. It has many old buildings. It is still a commercial centre and has one of the largest ports in the region. The Muttrah Souk is found here.
Sultan Qaboos University
Sultan Qaboos University (or SQU as they call it) is the only public university in Oman.http://www.squ.edu.om/ . It opened in 1986. Schools in Oman were only build from 1970 onwards. When it opened there were only 500 students - now the university has over 10,000 students.
The main mosque
In 1992 Sultan Qaboos directed that his country of Oman should have a grand mosque. There was a competition for it's design. Work started in 1995 and it took 6 years to build.
Monday 17 May 2010
Oil in Oman
Oil was discovered in Oman in 1967 and it has been producing lots of it ever since. Petroleum Development Oman is the main exploration and production company in Oman. It is owned by the government (60%) and by three oil companies - Shell, Total and Partex. Because the government own a large share, some money from the oil stays in Oman. Lots of other oil and gas companies work in Oman.
Oman Old Souk
Souk means traditional market. The main souk in Oman is in Muttrah, part of Muscat (the capital). You can buy many things here inlcuding traditional clothes and furniture, frankinsense and spices, jewellery and toys.
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