Musandam Governorate, Northeastern governorate in Musandam Peninsula, Oman
The governorate covers the rocky part of the peninsula that extends into the Strait of Hormuz and lies separated from the rest of Oman by United Arab Emirates territory. Mountain ranges run down to the coast and end in steep cliffs above the sea, while narrow inlets cut deep into the land.
Until 1970, the tribes in the region lived largely by their own rules, until the government of the Sultanate with British support built a lasting administration. Integration into the modern state came later than in other parts of the country and brought roads, schools and connections to the mainland.
At the northern tip, people in Kumzar speak their own language that differs clearly from Arabic and relates to Persian dialects. This ancient speech sounds foreign to visitors from other parts of the Sultanate and shows the centuries of exchange across the strait.
Those coming from Muscat can fly to Khasab or enter overland through the United Arab Emirates. The border crossings lie near Ras al-Khaimah, and the road then runs through mountains down to the coast.
This part of the Sultanate is surrounded on all sides by neighboring states and has no direct land connection to its own mainland. Travelers cross the border to the Emirates to reach it or take a plane over the sea.
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