traditionally Buddhist and Confucianist, some Christian and syncretic Chondogyo (Religion of the Heavenly Way) note: autonomous religious activities now almost nonexistent; government-sponsored religious groups exist to provide illusion of religious freedom
Ibadhi Muslim 75%, other (includes Sunni Muslim, Shi'a Muslim, Hindu) 25%
Languages
Korean
Arabic (official), English, Baluchi, Urdu, Indian dialects
Exports
petroleum, reexports, fish, metals, textiles
External Debt
$9,768,000,000 US
Exchange Rate
Omani rials (OMR) per US dollar - 0.3845 (2008 est.), 0.3845 (2007), 0.3845 (2006), 0.3845 (2005), 0.3845 (2004)
Military Budget as percentage of GDP
11.400%
Beijing Olympics Medal Count
6
0
Location
Eastern Asia, northern half of the Korean Peninsula bordering the Korea Bay and the Sea of Japan, between China and South Korea
Middle East, bordering the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman, and Persian Gulf, between Yemen and UAE
Area
120,538 km sq
309,500 km sq
Coastline
2,495 km
2,092 km
Climate
temperate with rainfall concentrated in summer
dry desert; hot, humid along coast; hot, dry interior; strong southwest summer monsoon (May to September) in far south
