Oman | World Heritage Explorer

Oman has been a State Party to the World Heritage Convention since 1981. With 5 inscribed properties, the country maintains a well-established presence on the World Heritage List. All currently inscribed properties are listed under the Cultural category.

Oman as a State Party to the World Heritage Convention

State Party since: October 6, 1981

Status: Acceptance

Mandates to the World Heritage Committee: 1989-1995, 2001-2005, 2019-2023

Total of Mandate Years: 14

Total of Mandates: 3

WHC Electoral Group: V(b) (Arab States)

World Heritage Sites in Oman (5)

Cultural: 5 | Natural: 0 | Mixed: 0

Aflaj Irrigation Systems of Oman · Cultural
Ancient City of Qalhat · Cultural
Archaeological Sites of Bat, Al-Khutm and Al-Ayn · Cultural
Bahla Fort · Cultural
Land of Frankincense · Cultural

Map of World Heritage Sites

This interactive map shows the location of all UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Oman.

Tentative World Heritage Sites (7)

Cultural Landscape of Bisya & Salut and its Archaeological Remains · submitted: September 24, 2014
Al Hallaniyyat Islands Proposed Nature Reserve · submitted: May 23, 2013
Bar al Hakman Proposed Nature Reserve · submitted: May 23, 2013
Smahan's Mountain Nature Reserve · submitted: May 23, 2013
al Dimaniyyat Islands Nature Reserve · submitted: May 23, 2013
Ras al Had Turtle Reserve and the Heritage Site of Ras al Jinz · submitted: May 23, 2013
The forts of Rostaq and al-Hazm · submitted: July 4, 1988

Source: UNESCO Tentative Lists

Country Profile Oman

Official Name: Sultanate of Oman

Continent: Asia

Subregion: Western Asia

UNESCO Region: Arab States

Capital: Muscat

Population (2024): 5,281,538

Land Area: 309,500 km²

Currency: Omani rial (OMR)

Country Data Sources

Links

UNESCO World Heritage Convention: State Party Oman

About States Parties

States Parties are countries that have joined the World Heritage Convention. They commit to identifying, nominating, and protecting properties of outstanding cultural or natural value on their territory. States Parties are also expected to monitor and report on the condition of inscribed sites.

World Heritage Insights

How Politics and Institutions Shape the UNESCO World Heritage List

The UNESCO World Heritage List is usually seen as a catalogue of the world’s most important cultural and natural places. Yet behind every inscription there is a structured decision process: countries must first join the Convention, run for a seat on the World Heritage Committee, prepare nominations through a fixed procedure, and finally obtain enough votes for inscription.

World Heritage Info

Background

Learn about UNESCO, the World Heritage Convention, Tentative Lists, and how World Heritage Sites are selected and preserved. Explore the history, structures, and processes that protect humanity’s cultural and natural treasures.

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