Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
The population in 2011 was estimated to be about three million, including about
500,000 foreign nationals. About 73 % of the population is urbanized but most of
the population is engaged in agriculture, trade, fisheries, traditional industries and
handicrafts. The estimated average annual population growth, is 3.5 % (including
inward migration) but the death rate is 3.2 %.
1.2
Climate
The climate varies from one area to another. It is hot and humid in the coastal areas
in summer; and hot and dry in the interior, with the exception of higher mountains
which enjoy a moderate climate throughout the year. Generally, the Sultanate has
little and regular rain, though heavy rains some time erratic rains fall from time
to time. An exception is the southern part of the Sultanate where heavy regular
monsoon rains fall between June and October.
Annual mean temperature ranges between 17.8 and 28.9 ı C. Due to the effect of
high altitude, mountains like Jabal Lakhdar in the north and Jabal Al Qairoon Hairiti
in the south have the lowest average annual mean temperatures, 17.8 and 21.6 ı C
respectively. Salalah and Thumrait also have slightly lower mean temperatures
than the national average, which is 26.3 ı C, because they are affected by the
southwesterly monsoon winds, which reduce the temperature of the southern region
during summer. In other areas mean annual temperatures range from 26.3 to 28.9 ı C.
In general, the annual mean temperature increases from east to west. The hottest
months are June and July, and monthly mean maximum temperatures range from
30.7 ı CinSaiqto46.1 ı C in Fahud. All over the country the coldest month is
January, with monthly mean minimum temperatures ranging from 9.4 ı CinSaiqto
24.0 ı C in Mina Raysut. Temperatures below zero are only recorded in Saiq where
they occur every year (record minimum temperature of
3.6 ı C).
Precipitation is generally low and irregular. Only the Dhofar Mountains, in
the southern region, and the Hajar Mountains have regular rainy seasons with
substantial precipitation. Heavy rains can occur, sometimes delivering all the
precipitation of the year in one single shower, causing violent floods. Mean annual
rainfall is less than 50 mm in the interior regions, covering two-thirds of the country,
and is around 100 mm in coastal areas. In the Hajar mountains rainfall ranges
between 100 mm to about 300 mm. Parts of the Dhofar Mountains, influenced by
the monsoon, receive between 200 and 260 mm of rainfall. During the monsoon
season, mist and fog are very common in this area, and may contribute significant
amounts of moisture to the vegetation. During September to November, very
little precipitation is observed in the country. Monthly mean relative humidity
is highest in coastal areas where it ranges from 50 to 90 %. The interior areas
are much drier and have mean relative humidity (RH) of less than 50 % for
4-5 consecutive months. In these areas the absolute minimum RH can be as low
as 1 or 2 %.
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