Thug4Life
20-05-05, 09:57 AM
Always knew about Musandam..but never been there...recently a friend of mine who is fond of picnics and camping went to it..he said its been developed ..to be a good tourist site...
he said that the place holds a different scent of beauty and it can indeed become a good site for picnic/diving..
He so some Dolphines around (my favorite creatures)....
I guess one day I Will have to pay a visit to it...
heres Some Info about Musandam.....
ENJOY
====================================
http://lexicorient.com/e.o/atlas/maps/oman_musandem.gif
http://lexicorient.com/e.o/ill/musandam01.jpg
http://www.geocities.com/suonnoch/Oman/peninsula.jpg
The Governorate of Musandam, in the far north of the Sultanate is a rugged, mountainous region, formed during the Cretaceous and Miocene ages, 1850 million years ago. The mountains originally constituted part of the Zagros Mountain range, but with earthquakes and volcanic activity, separated to form the Hajar Mountain range. The passage between the Zagros and Hajar ranges is called the Strait of Hormuz and is of vital importance to Oman, as 90% of all the Gulf's oil trade passes through this area. The Strait of Hormuz is only 60km wide and does not exceed 60m in depth.
Musandam is divided into four wilayats: Khasab, Bhuka, Dibba and Mudha.
The population of approximately 29,000 is concentrated in the capital, Khasab (18,000 in 2004) in the north and Dibba (5,500) on the east coast. Fishing is the principal economic activity supported by employment in government jobs. Tourism could be a major earner. Traders from Iran boost the port trade of Khasab.
Khasab is the furthest north of the wilayats and overlooks the Arabian Gulf in the northwest and the Gulf of Oman in the east. The landscape is dramatic, with towering, craggy cliffs and a fjord-like coastline. The area has a number of attractions, one being the Castle of Khasab which dates back to the era of Al Bu Said. It was renovated by the Ministry of Heritage and Culture in 1990. There are also a number of towers: Al Siba; Kabas Al Kasr; and the tower of Said Bin Amad bin Sulaiman Aal Malik which is the remains of what was a huge fort. The principal occupation of the Khasab inhabitants is fishing, followed by animal husbandry and agriculture. The area is fertile (khasab means 'fertile' in Arabic) and many fruit and vegetable crops are grown here.
Bukha lies to the west of Khasab and borders the Emirate, Ras al Khaima in the southwest. Like the other Musandam wilayats, it is a mountainous region containing many caves. The fort of Al Qala'a is located atop one of these mountains and it can be seen from all areas of the wilayat. Bukha's main industries are blacksmithery, agriculture, date and citrus fruit cultivation, and building fishing boats.
Dibba, in the southeast of the Governorate, is characterised by its vast fjords in which fishing boats take refuge during storms. The most important fjords are called Khur Ma'ali and Almim. Fishing and agriculture provide the townspeople with occupations, but other industries include ironmongery, weaving and shipbuilding.
Mudha is bordered by the Emirates on three sides. Research has discovered that there have been settlers in the region for over 3500 years and ancient rock paintings date back to pre-Islamic days. Excavations have revealed ruins from the Iron Age, 1000 - 1500 years BC. Mudha is irrigated by afalaj and natural springs, some of which have rather unusual properties: Al Sheikh Mohammed bin Salim al Madhani falaj is cold in the summer and warm during the winter; Al Samaai spring contains sulphurous water, which is said to treat skin disorders. The water of this spring is cold in summer and hot during the winter.
A new, international airport opened at Khasab late in 2003, which can take larger aircraft flying from Dubai.
The Portuguese built Khasab fort at the beginning of the 17th century at the height of their naval presence in the region. Unlike many forts built on higher ground with a defensive purpose, Khasab fort was a supply point for dates and water to Portuguese ships sailing through the strait. The harbour gave shelter from rough seas. Access by land was virtually impossible.
http://www.geocities.com/suonnoch/Oman/fort.jpg
Life may appear to be very bleak when you visit the small fishing villages at the end of the fiords, which you can only reach by boat. But close up, you can see electricity power lines and a big water tank filled by the Municipality every week. The children board at school in Khasab from Saturday to Wednesday returning home at weekends. The communities remain very independent in spirit.
sources:
http://www.geocities.com/hla_oman/musandam_eng.htm
http://www.geocities.com/suonnoch/Oman/Musandam.htm
he said that the place holds a different scent of beauty and it can indeed become a good site for picnic/diving..
He so some Dolphines around (my favorite creatures)....
I guess one day I Will have to pay a visit to it...
heres Some Info about Musandam.....
ENJOY
====================================
http://lexicorient.com/e.o/atlas/maps/oman_musandem.gif
http://lexicorient.com/e.o/ill/musandam01.jpg
http://www.geocities.com/suonnoch/Oman/peninsula.jpg
The Governorate of Musandam, in the far north of the Sultanate is a rugged, mountainous region, formed during the Cretaceous and Miocene ages, 1850 million years ago. The mountains originally constituted part of the Zagros Mountain range, but with earthquakes and volcanic activity, separated to form the Hajar Mountain range. The passage between the Zagros and Hajar ranges is called the Strait of Hormuz and is of vital importance to Oman, as 90% of all the Gulf's oil trade passes through this area. The Strait of Hormuz is only 60km wide and does not exceed 60m in depth.
Musandam is divided into four wilayats: Khasab, Bhuka, Dibba and Mudha.
The population of approximately 29,000 is concentrated in the capital, Khasab (18,000 in 2004) in the north and Dibba (5,500) on the east coast. Fishing is the principal economic activity supported by employment in government jobs. Tourism could be a major earner. Traders from Iran boost the port trade of Khasab.
Khasab is the furthest north of the wilayats and overlooks the Arabian Gulf in the northwest and the Gulf of Oman in the east. The landscape is dramatic, with towering, craggy cliffs and a fjord-like coastline. The area has a number of attractions, one being the Castle of Khasab which dates back to the era of Al Bu Said. It was renovated by the Ministry of Heritage and Culture in 1990. There are also a number of towers: Al Siba; Kabas Al Kasr; and the tower of Said Bin Amad bin Sulaiman Aal Malik which is the remains of what was a huge fort. The principal occupation of the Khasab inhabitants is fishing, followed by animal husbandry and agriculture. The area is fertile (khasab means 'fertile' in Arabic) and many fruit and vegetable crops are grown here.
Bukha lies to the west of Khasab and borders the Emirate, Ras al Khaima in the southwest. Like the other Musandam wilayats, it is a mountainous region containing many caves. The fort of Al Qala'a is located atop one of these mountains and it can be seen from all areas of the wilayat. Bukha's main industries are blacksmithery, agriculture, date and citrus fruit cultivation, and building fishing boats.
Dibba, in the southeast of the Governorate, is characterised by its vast fjords in which fishing boats take refuge during storms. The most important fjords are called Khur Ma'ali and Almim. Fishing and agriculture provide the townspeople with occupations, but other industries include ironmongery, weaving and shipbuilding.
Mudha is bordered by the Emirates on three sides. Research has discovered that there have been settlers in the region for over 3500 years and ancient rock paintings date back to pre-Islamic days. Excavations have revealed ruins from the Iron Age, 1000 - 1500 years BC. Mudha is irrigated by afalaj and natural springs, some of which have rather unusual properties: Al Sheikh Mohammed bin Salim al Madhani falaj is cold in the summer and warm during the winter; Al Samaai spring contains sulphurous water, which is said to treat skin disorders. The water of this spring is cold in summer and hot during the winter.
A new, international airport opened at Khasab late in 2003, which can take larger aircraft flying from Dubai.
The Portuguese built Khasab fort at the beginning of the 17th century at the height of their naval presence in the region. Unlike many forts built on higher ground with a defensive purpose, Khasab fort was a supply point for dates and water to Portuguese ships sailing through the strait. The harbour gave shelter from rough seas. Access by land was virtually impossible.
http://www.geocities.com/suonnoch/Oman/fort.jpg
Life may appear to be very bleak when you visit the small fishing villages at the end of the fiords, which you can only reach by boat. But close up, you can see electricity power lines and a big water tank filled by the Municipality every week. The children board at school in Khasab from Saturday to Wednesday returning home at weekends. The communities remain very independent in spirit.
sources:
http://www.geocities.com/hla_oman/musandam_eng.htm
http://www.geocities.com/suonnoch/Oman/Musandam.htm