Trivia in Oman

National symbols

Flag: Composed of red, white, and green tricolor and national emblem, with national emblem depicting crossed swords and khanjar (curved dagger) at top of left red vertical stripe.

Emblem: Symbol of royal authority placing symbolic curved sword khanjar atop two crossed sabers.

Trivia & facts

• 1 Omani Rial worth approximately 2.6 USD, world-class high-value currency.
• Khanjar depicted on national emblem is symbolic dagger adult men insert in waistband at ceremonial occasions.
• Ibadi majority rather than Sunni mainstream in Islamic countries is almost unique to Oman worldwide.
• Muscat buildings restricted by landscape ordinance to white or sand color with few high-rises.
• World's oldest navigational dhow ships still handmade at Sur shipyard.
• Desert nights drop below 10°C, requiring cold-weather gear for camping.
• Frankincense tree Boswellia sacra grows wild in limited areas of southern Dhofar.
• Young population structure with about 45% under age 30.
• Arabian coffee "kahwa" contains cardamom, served with golden dates.
• Musandam Peninsula's zigzag inlet coves called "Arabia's fjords."
• World Heritage 'Aflaj irrigation system' still actively sends water to farmland.
• Road signs bilingual in Arabic and English, royal welcome signs visible everywhere.
• Domestically produced honey traded at high prices with added saffron or black seed.
• Postal system centers on post office boxes, almost no custom of installing mailboxes at homes.
• Omani police patrol cars unified in white and navy two-tone color.