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 3,000 BC - The ancient city of
Magan provides copper to the ancient world, linking the Indus and
Sumerian civilizations, and "Ships of Magan" appear in ancient Sumerian
art.
945 BC - The Queen of Sheba
rules the rich country of Saba, trading in frankincense, gold, silver,
ivory and
apes.
563 BC
- Cyrus the Great of Persia conquers Oman.
50 AD - The Roman author Pliny
describes the coastline of Oman and her ports. notably "Muza", used by
the merchants who trade in frankincense and other Arabian perfumes.
130 AD
- The anonymous author of the "Periplus of the Erythraean Sea"
describes the Dimanyat Islands and the difficulties of navigating the
Omani coast.
224 AD
- The al-Azd tribe - still the dominant group today - enter northern
Oman from their original base in Dhofar and Yemen and free it from the
Persian yoke.
226 AD
- The Sassanian emperors introduce the "Qanat" system of underground
water channels to Oman.
625 AD - Oman accepts Islam
from the Prophet Mohammed.
950 AD
- The Arab historian, geographer and philosopher. Abd al-Hasan Ali ibn
al-Husayn al-Mas'udi, known as The Herodotus of Arabia, travels to and
writes of the court of the Sultan of Oman.
1450 AD - Vasco Da Gama arrives
in Sohar and persuades a famous Omani pilot, Ahmed ibn Majid of julfar,
to pilot him to Calicut.
1506 AD - Alphonso de
Albequerque sacks Muscat for resisting him, and the Portuguese
construct the jelali and Malyani forts that still stand today.
1697 AD - The Portuguese are
ousted by Imam Sultan bin Saif.
1820 AD
– First treaty between Oman and the British to ensure a "cessation of
plunder and piracy by land and sea" is signed.
1970 AD – His majesty sultan
Qaboos bin said takes the throne of Oman.
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The home of one of the most ancient civilizations on Earth. Oman's rich
heritage and the wealth of her culture fascinate and beguile the modern
visitor.
Oman enjoy a culture that is unique in the Arab world. Traders and
fishermen have sailed to Africa, India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Indonesia
and even China for thousands of years and the traditions of the country
reflect this varied heritage. The traditional souks in every major town
are still a reflection of that heritage, with antiques as varied as
porcelain from Holland and Germany to Bedouin bridal necklaces
featuring Maria Theresa silver dollars and modern goods including
exquisite cashmere from India and glass from Iran. 
Oman's diverse geography and varied climate sets it apart from other
countries in the Arabian Peninsula. From pristine white beaches and
spectacular cliffs in Dhofar to the rugged grandeur of the 'Jebel' or
mountains; from the date and banana plantations of the Batinah region
to the sculpted dunes of the Wahiba Sands. Oman challenges every
pre-conceived notion of the region.
Oman's southern province of
Dhofar revels in the cooling rains of the Monsoon or Khareef whilst
temperatures in the rest of the Gulf rise.The month long Khareef
Festival (July) is the premier event in the Omani calendar, and
displays Omani culture and heritage in the most spectacular manner for
locals and tourists from all over the world alike. The Muscat Festival,
which showcases the best of Oman as well as the best of the world in a
lively mix of entertainment, games, rides and stalls, including nightly
fireworks displays, is the counterpoint of the year (January -
February). 
Zahara Tours is Oman's
leading Destination and Leisure Management Company. Enjoying an
extremely high reputation for professionally efficient service, Zahara
employs multilingual tour guides and a fleet of modern, deluxe
air-conditioned luxury coaches, four wheel drives and other vehicles. 
