As-salamu alaykum! Welcome to the land of frankincense and ancient seafaring—Oman, located on the southeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula. There are around 5 million people living here, and the capital is Muscat, a beautiful city where modern buildings are required by law to maintain traditional architectural styles—you won’t find many skyscrapers here! The official language is Arabic, and English is very widely spoken.

Oman covers about 309,500 square kilometers (119,500 square miles). The country is roughly the same size as the state of Kansas in the U.S., or about the same size as Italy. It features a diverse landscape ranging from the vast sandy desert of the Empty Quarter to the lush, green mountains of the south.

The most popular sports are Football, Camel Racing, and Bull Butting (a non-violent traditional sport). Their national animal is the Arabian Oryx, a beautiful white antelope that was once extinct in the wild but was successfully reintroduced in Oman.

The flag consists of three horizontal stripes of white, red, and green with a vertical red stripe on the left containing the national emblem (the Khanjar dagger and crossed swords), where the white represents peace, the red symbolizes battles fought against invaders, and the green stands for the fertility of the land.

The food is a fragrant mix of Arabian, Indian, and African influences. You must try Shuwa, the national dish, which is marinated meat slow-cooked for up to two days in a subterranean sand oven. Another favorite is Majboos, a spiced rice dish served with meat or fish. For dessert, locals love Omani Halwa, a sticky, sweet gelatinous treat made with saffron, rosewater, and nuts, usually served with strong Qahwa (Omani coffee flavored with cardamom).

Oman is home to the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, a stunning piece of modern Islamic architecture that features one of the largest hand-woven carpets in the world. The country is famous for its Wadis, such as Wadi Shab, where you can swim through emerald-green pools hidden inside dramatic limestone canyons. In the south, the city of Salalah experiences a unique phenomenon called the Khareef (monsoon season), which turns the desert into a misty, green paradise. For history buffs, the Bahla Fort is a massive 13th-century mud-brick fortress and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Interestingly, Oman has a long history as a maritime empire and was the first Arab nation to recognize the United States.

From the rolling dunes of Wahiba Sands to the aromatic souks filled with the scent of burning frankincense, Oman is a land of legendary hospitality and timeless Arabian charm. Shukran! That means “Thank you!”