Oman, UAE have 22 Unesco world heritage sites
Published: 04:04 PM,Apr 25,2024 | EDITED : 08:04 PM,Apr 25,2024
The five Omani archaeological sites inscribed on the World Heritage List contribute to enhance the tourism and heritage elements of the Sultanate of Oman
Oman and the United Arab Emirates have 22 world heritage sites combined together, according to the statistics revealed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation.
Both countries attach paramount importance to these sites and spare no stones unturned in ensuring their ingenuity and authenticity by carrying out maintenance from time to time.
According to the report, there are a total of 1,199 World Heritage Sites located across 168 countries as of January 2024. Out of this, 933 are cultural, 227 are natural, and 39 are mixed properties located in different countries of the world.
While there are five world heritage sites in Oman as per the Unesco, the UAE has 17 world heritage sites.
Oman's landmarks have been attracting tourists from across the world. These world heritage sites have been inscribed as irreplaceable sources of life and inspiration for Oman and the Middle East.
Oman’s Bahla Fort, Archaeological Sites of Bat, Al Khutm and Al Ayn, Land of Frankincense, Aflaj Irrigation System and the Ancient City of Qalhat have found its place in the Unesco list of world heritage sites, the UAE’s sites include six oases and the archaeological sites of Al Ain, Hafit, Hili, Bidaa Bint Saud and Oases Areas which have found its prime positions in the list.
“The attention of the Sultanate of Oman to the importance of the heritage, comes through a number of programmes that include restoration and maintenance of heritage monuments and annual coordination with prestigious universities and specialised centres to carry out archaeological surveys and excavations for archaeological missions’ results. To achieve this, we, at the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism (MoHT) also coordinate with the World Heritage Center to protect and sustain world heritage sites in its original form,” said Eng Ibrahim bin Said bin Khalaf al Kharousi, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism for Heritage. Bahla Fort is one of four historic fortresses at the foot of the Al Jabal Al Akhdhar and the mud-walled oasis of Bahla was built in the 12th to 15th century for and by the Banu Nebhan tribe as a settlement in the thick of the Omani desert.
The monumental towers at the site of Bat, Al Khutm and Al Ayn form the most complete and well-preserved ensembles of settlement collections worldwide, dating back to the 3rd millennium BC.
For the Sultanate of Oman, frankincense, also known as ‘the king of scents’, was considered one of the most important commercial activities in the medieval times. In due course, Oman is known as the ‘Land of Frankincense’.
Oman’s aflaj systems consist of five irrigation systems (Falaj al Khatmeen, Falaj al Malki, Falaj Daris, Falaj al Jeela and Falaj al Muyassar) and represents 3,000 systems (out of 11,000 in the whole of Oman) that are still in use today.
The ancient city of Qalhat is located on the east coast of the Sultanate of Oman and, surrounded by inner and outer walls, the city was first developed as a major port of Arabia between the 11th and 15th centuries.
On the other hand, the UAE has 17 UNESCO world heritage sites which are, the Al Ain Oasis, Khor Dubai, Abu Dhabi sabkha, Al Bidya Mosque, Jebel Hafeet tombs, Al Jazeera Al Hamra, Ras Al Khaimah, Sir Abu Nu'Ayr, Hili Archaeological park, Shimal, Hili Oasis, Sharjah Central Region, Bida Bint Saud, Rock art, Dhayah Forta, Wadi Wurayah National Park, and Faya are spread over its seven emirates.
Both countries attach paramount importance to these sites and spare no stones unturned in ensuring their ingenuity and authenticity by carrying out maintenance from time to time.
According to the report, there are a total of 1,199 World Heritage Sites located across 168 countries as of January 2024. Out of this, 933 are cultural, 227 are natural, and 39 are mixed properties located in different countries of the world.
While there are five world heritage sites in Oman as per the Unesco, the UAE has 17 world heritage sites.
Oman's landmarks have been attracting tourists from across the world. These world heritage sites have been inscribed as irreplaceable sources of life and inspiration for Oman and the Middle East.
Oman’s Bahla Fort, Archaeological Sites of Bat, Al Khutm and Al Ayn, Land of Frankincense, Aflaj Irrigation System and the Ancient City of Qalhat have found its place in the Unesco list of world heritage sites, the UAE’s sites include six oases and the archaeological sites of Al Ain, Hafit, Hili, Bidaa Bint Saud and Oases Areas which have found its prime positions in the list.
“The attention of the Sultanate of Oman to the importance of the heritage, comes through a number of programmes that include restoration and maintenance of heritage monuments and annual coordination with prestigious universities and specialised centres to carry out archaeological surveys and excavations for archaeological missions’ results. To achieve this, we, at the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism (MoHT) also coordinate with the World Heritage Center to protect and sustain world heritage sites in its original form,” said Eng Ibrahim bin Said bin Khalaf al Kharousi, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism for Heritage. Bahla Fort is one of four historic fortresses at the foot of the Al Jabal Al Akhdhar and the mud-walled oasis of Bahla was built in the 12th to 15th century for and by the Banu Nebhan tribe as a settlement in the thick of the Omani desert.
The monumental towers at the site of Bat, Al Khutm and Al Ayn form the most complete and well-preserved ensembles of settlement collections worldwide, dating back to the 3rd millennium BC.
For the Sultanate of Oman, frankincense, also known as ‘the king of scents’, was considered one of the most important commercial activities in the medieval times. In due course, Oman is known as the ‘Land of Frankincense’.
Oman’s aflaj systems consist of five irrigation systems (Falaj al Khatmeen, Falaj al Malki, Falaj Daris, Falaj al Jeela and Falaj al Muyassar) and represents 3,000 systems (out of 11,000 in the whole of Oman) that are still in use today.
The ancient city of Qalhat is located on the east coast of the Sultanate of Oman and, surrounded by inner and outer walls, the city was first developed as a major port of Arabia between the 11th and 15th centuries.
On the other hand, the UAE has 17 UNESCO world heritage sites which are, the Al Ain Oasis, Khor Dubai, Abu Dhabi sabkha, Al Bidya Mosque, Jebel Hafeet tombs, Al Jazeera Al Hamra, Ras Al Khaimah, Sir Abu Nu'Ayr, Hili Archaeological park, Shimal, Hili Oasis, Sharjah Central Region, Bida Bint Saud, Rock art, Dhayah Forta, Wadi Wurayah National Park, and Faya are spread over its seven emirates.