To the east it borders the Arabian Sea and to the north the Gulf of Oman. The principal home of the Ibadis, a minority Islamic sect distinct from both Sunni and Shia Islam, Oman has been led by the Al Bu Said dynasty since 1749. Masqat, also known as Muscat, is the capital of Oman and the center of the country's largest metropolitan area.
Oman is largely a desert land, with five distinct geographical regions.
Inner Oman extends from the Al Hajar Mountains into the Rub' al Khali, or Empty Quarter, the great sand desert of southern Arabia, and contains a number of oases. Central Oman is a large, generally barren area south of Inner Oman. The main Omani islands are the Kuria Muria group, part of Dhofar Governorate, and Masirah off the coast of Central Oman. There are no rivers or permanent lakes, but there are numerous oases which, together with wells, provide drinking water. Despite its general aridity, Oman is home to a variety of plants and animals.