Oman
Kartavya Desk Staff
Source: TOI
Subject: Mapping
Context: Oman has been elected as a member of the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Council for the 2025–2029 term during the 43rd UNESCO General Conference in Samarkand.
About Oman:
• What it is? Oman is a monarchy located on the southeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula, known for its balance of traditional culture and rapid modernization under Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said.
• Oman is a monarchy located on the southeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula, known for its balance of traditional culture and rapid modernization under Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said.
• Capital: Muscat
• Neighbouring Countries: Bordered by United Arab Emirates (northwest), Saudi Arabia (west), and Yemen (southwest). Maritime boundaries with the Arabian Sea and Gulf of Oman.
• Maritime boundaries with the Arabian Sea and Gulf of Oman.
• Geographical Features:
• The Al-Hajar Mountains dominate the north, with Mount Shams (2,980 m) as the highest peak. The vast Rubʿ al-Khali (Empty Quarter) desert covers much of its interior, while fertile coastal plains like Al-Batinah and Dhofar support agriculture. Oman’s coastlines, monsoon-fed Dhofar region, and ancient falaj (irrigation) systems sustain its oasis-based settlements.
• The Al-Hajar Mountains dominate the north, with Mount Shams (2,980 m) as the highest peak.
• The vast Rubʿ al-Khali (Empty Quarter) desert covers much of its interior, while fertile coastal plains like Al-Batinah and Dhofar support agriculture.
• Oman’s coastlines, monsoon-fed Dhofar region, and ancient falaj (irrigation) systems sustain its oasis-based settlements.
About UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Council:
• What it is? The Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme is UNESCO’s intergovernmental scientific initiative launched in 1971 to improve the relationship between humans and their environment.
• The Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme is UNESCO’s intergovernmental scientific initiative launched in 1971 to improve the relationship between humans and their environment.
• Aim: To promote biodiversity conservation, sustainable ecosystem management, and human–nature harmony through research, innovation, and education.
• Features:
• Governed by the International Coordinating Council (MAB-ICC) composed of 34 Member States elected by UNESCO’s General Conference. Encourages scientific research, youth empowerment, and policy innovation to address climate change and sustainability challenges. Guided by the MAB Roadmap (2015–2025), with a new 2025–2035 roadmap to be adopted at the 5th World Congress of Biosphere Reserves in Hangzhou, China (2025).
• Governed by the International Coordinating Council (MAB-ICC) composed of 34 Member States elected by UNESCO’s General Conference.
• Encourages scientific research, youth empowerment, and policy innovation to address climate change and sustainability challenges.
• Guided by the MAB Roadmap (2015–2025), with a new 2025–2035 roadmap to be adopted at the 5th World Congress of Biosphere Reserves in Hangzhou, China (2025).