The fertile coastal plain known as Al Batinah which slopes to the foothills of the Western Hajar. The Muscat Matrah coastal region which is bound by cliffs. The barren coastline to Dhofar. Dhofar province, a lushly vegetated coastal plain which gives rise to the Qara Mountains. A small number of wadis are found in the Hajar Mountains.
Oman has an arid subtropical climate.
Non-Arab minority groups include Iranians, Baluchis, Indians, Pakistanis and Black Africans. The majority of Muslims are Ibadhi while there is also a number of Sunni and Shiite Muslims. The official language is Arabic with minority languages of Farsi, Urdu and Hindi while English is also widely understood. In 1970 Sultan Taymur who was opposed to modernization, was overthrown by his son Qaboos. Sultan Qaboos ibn Said introduced many socioeconomic programs designed to modernize Oman and gave Omani girls the opportunity to attend school.