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18.11.

1940: Sultan who Still Holds Absolute Power in his Oman

1940: Sultan who Still Holds Absolute Power in his Oman
Photo Credit To http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e9/Qabus_bin_Said.jpg

Story Highlights

  • historical event: Omani Sultan Qaboos is the owner if the huge yacht “Al Said”, named after his dynasty. This yacht was built in 2007 in Germany and is with her 155 meters larger than the Saudi and the British royal yachts.

The currently reigning sultan of the state of Oman was born on this day. His name is Qaboos bin Said al Said and he has already held power for over 40 years. Oman is one of the few modern states that still have an absolutist system of government. In fact, although many think that the rule of one man over the whole country is a thing of the past, five countries in the world still practice absolutism. In addition to the Oman, these include Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Swaziland, and Brunei.



The Omani sultan is simultaneously the head of state and head of government. Indeed, the sultan’s authority is far greater because he practically manages the majority of state affairs. Oman is not a small country – its territory covers 309,501 square kilometers.

Although this form of government seems very outdated, Oman as a country is rather prosperous. Indeed, it is regarded as one of the most developed and stable countries in the Arab world. According to the United Nations Development Programme, Oman is first among 135 countries of the world according to progress made over the past 40 years.

It is an interesting fact that Omani sultans once ruled a much larger area than today. Namely, the Omani sultan was until 1856 also the sultan of distant Zanzibar islands along the eastern coast of Africa. Zanzibar later achieved independence, and had its own sultans (from the same dynasty). In the end, of course, Zanzibar joined with Tanganyika to form present-day Tanzania.

Omani Sultan Qaboos is the owner of the huge yacht “Al Said”, named after his dynasty. This yacht was built in 2007 in Germany and is with her 155 meters larger than the Saudi and the British royal yachts. Today, only the yachts of Roman Abramovich and the Emir of Abu Dhabi and Dubai are larger.




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