The Governorate of Dhofar

The Governorate of Dhofar played an important role in Oman’s history. In ancient times it was known as the Arabian Peninsula’s ‘Land of Frankincense’ and the gateway to the Indian Ocean and the crossroads of southern Arabia’s caravan routes. Its main city, Salalah was the birth place of Oman’s modern development strategy, sometimes referred to as the Renaissance, masterminded by Sultan Qaboos bin Said. Today, it remains an important portal to Oman’s progress and prosperity.

Dhofar lies at the southern end of the Sultanate of Oman, with Salalah some 1,000 kms distant from Muscat. The governorate borders on the Wusta region to the north-east, the Arabian Sea to the south-east and south, the Republic of Yemen to the west and south-west and the desert of the Rub al Khali, or Empty Quarter, to the north and north-west.

The Governorate of Dhofar has 10 wilayats – Salalah, Thumrait, Taqah, Mirbat, Sadah, Rakhyut, Dhalkut, Muqshin, Shaleem and the Hallaniyat Islands, and al Mazyounah, which was established under Royal Decree No. 13/2006, issued on 6th March 2006. According to the 2007 estimates, the governorate has a population of 260,115.

A tranquil scene on the coast of the Dhofar governorate, looking out to the Arabian Sea

Development projects have been implemented in all its wilayats and its populated areas in the mountain and desert areas have been provided with a full range of essential services including social development centres. Modern utilities and a free trade zone have been installed in the al Mazyounah border area and a modern highway runs between al Mazyounah and al Ghaidha, linking Oman with the Republic of Yemen.

Port Salalah is a major economic enterprise with amenities that include tourist development projects, a free trade zone and an industrial estate. Its coastal plain produces vegetables, bananas and coconut palms and its exceptional summer climate has made it a big hit with tourists from at home and abroad.