Mainly hot and dry particularly in the scorching barren interior where summer temperatures can soar to 130°F.

Telephones, Mobile Phones, Internet, Radio services, Television

Oman's economic performance has improved significantly since 1999 due largely to the mid-year upturn in oil prices. The current GDP per capita has expanded continuously in the past half-a-century in Oman. Oman liberalized its markets in an effort to accede to the World Trade Organization (WTO) and gained membership in 2000. Today, oil fuels the economy and revenues from petroleum products have enabled Oman's dramatic development over the past 30 years. Oil was first discovered in the interior near Fahud in the western desert in 1964. Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) began production in August 1967. The Omani Government owns 60% of PDO while foreign interests owns 40% (Royal Dutch Shell owns 34%; the remaining 6% is owned by Compagnie Francaise des Petroles). Oman is not a member of OPEC. Natural gas reserves, which will increasingly provide the fuel for power generation and desalination, stand at 18 trillion ft³ (510 km³). The Oman LNG processing plant located in Sur was opened in 2000, with production capacity of 6.6 million tons/YR, as well as unsubstantial gas liquids, including condensates. In recent years, Oman has found more oil than it has produced and total proven reserves rose to more than 5 billion barrels (0.8 km³) by the mid-1990s. Agriculture and fishing are the traditional way of life in Oman.

Sultanate of Oman has absolute monarchy where the hereditary sultan is the chief of state and government. The administrative system of the State under His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said consists of the Diwan of Royal Court, the Ministry of Palace Office, the Cabinet of Ministers and Secretariat of the Cabinet, the Specialized Councils, the Governorate of Muscat, the Governorate of Dhofar and the Council of Oman (Majlis Oman). The Cabinet of Ministers is the highest executive authority, deriving its power from the Sultan, to whom it is collectively responsible. Laws and decrees are authorized by the Sultan. International treaties, agreements and charters signed or approved by him become law from the date of their publication in the Official Gazette. In the early 1990s, the sultan instituted an elected advisory council, the Majlis ash-Shura. Universal suffrage for those over 21 was instituted on 4 October 2003. At present, there are no legal political parties or any active opposition movement. A State Consultative Council, established in 1981, consisted of 55 appointed representatives of government, the private sector and regional interests.