Oman is divided into 11 governorates (muhafazah), and each one contains several wilayats, the local provinces. Knowing the governorate helps you plan a trip, since a day's drive can take you from the coast to the mountains or the desert.
All 11 at a glance
| Governorate | Wilayats | |---|---| | Muscat | Muscat, Muttrah, Bawshar, Seeb, Al Amarat, Qurayyat | | Dhofar | Salalah, Taqah, Mirbat, Thumrait, Sadah, Rakhyut, Dhalkut, Muqshin, Shalim and the Hallaniyat Islands, Al Mazyunah | | Musandam | Khasab, Bukha, Dibba, Madha | | Ad Dhahirah | Ibri, Dhank, Yanqul | | Ad Dakhiliyah | Nizwa, Bahla, Adam, Al Hamra, Manah, Izki, Samail, Bidbid, Jebel Akhdar | | Al Batinah North | Sohar, Shinas, Liwa, Saham, Al Khaburah, Suwayq | | Al Batinah South | Rustaq, Al Awabi, Nakhal, Wadi Al Maawil, Barka, Al Musannah | | Al Buraimi | Al Buraimi, Mahdah, As Sunaynah | | Ash Sharqiyah North | Ibra, Al Mudhaibi, Bidiyah, Al Qabil, Wadi Bani Khalid, Dima Wa Al Tayyin, Sinaw | | Ash Sharqiyah South | Sur, Al Kamil Wal Wafi, Jalan Bani Bu Hassan, Jalan Bani Bu Ali, Masirah | | Al Wusta | Haima, Mahout, Duqm, Al Jazer |
Four to start with
Muscat is the capital and Oman's political, economic and cultural centre, on a coast that has traded since the first century.
Dhofar is the largest governorate, at about 99,300 square kilometres. It is known for the green monsoon season around Salalah, freshwater springs and frankincense trees.
Musandam is the northernmost and the smallest governorate, facing the Strait of Hormuz. A strip of UAE land separates it from the rest of Oman, and its fjords have earned it the name "Norway of Arabia".
Ad Dhahirah is a semi-desert region in the northwest, and home to the UNESCO-listed tombs of Bat.
Planning a trip?
See visa options for Oman, then look for a place to stay or a rental car in the region you choose. For the history behind each place, read Omani culture and heritage. If your interest is business, the free zones guide covers Sohar, Salalah, Al Mazunah and Duqm.
Frequently asked questions
How many governorates does Oman have?
Eleven. Each governorate is divided into several wilayats, which are the local provinces.
Which is the largest governorate of Oman?
Dhofar, in the south, at about 99,300 square kilometres according to the Foreign Ministry.
Which is the smallest governorate?
Musandam, in the far north, is the smallest by area and population, at about 1,800 square kilometres.
How many wilayats are there?
Sources differ slightly. The Foreign Ministry's page adds up to 61, while other current lists give 63, with one more wilayat each in Ad Dakhiliyah and Ash Sharqiyah North.