Visit places of Oman

Travel guide
Jebel Akhdar (Green Mountain)
•   Rises to a height of 2,980 metres
•   About two-and-a-half hours drive Muscat,
•   Temperature is around 15 degrees cooler than in Muscat
•   Incredible views of terraced farms
•   Lot of camping shelters and camping areas
•   Need a 4x4 (police will stop at check-post)
Jebel Akhdar (Green Mountain). Photo - Times of Oman

Jebel Akhdar (Green Mountain). Photo - Times of Oman

Jebel Shams (mountain of sun)
•   The highest peak in the Arabian Peninsula,
•   Located 240 km from Muscat via Nizwa-Al Hamra,
•   In the summer temperature is around 20°C
•   'Grand Canyon' with a vertical drop of 2,100 meters
•   Home to around a dozen small villages
•   A place to hike, take photographs and have picnic
Jebal Shams. Photo - Times of Oman

Wakan Village
•   Features agricultural terraces cultivating fruits at 2,000 meters above sea
•   Located 150km from Muscat
•   The graded road leading to the village passes through many valleys
•   Enjoys moderate temperatures in summer
•   Walk up a trail stretching for 1,100 metres, comprising 700 steps

Bilad Sayt
•   A mountain village showcasing traditional Omani rural settlement
•   Enjoys moderate daytime temperatures even in summer
•   Can be reached through Wadi Al Sahtan and Wadi Bani Awf
•   Tucked away in rugged hills of Rustaq, it's accessible only by 4WD

Wadi Shab
•   A gorgeous narrow mountain ravine south of the Bimmah Sinkhole in Sur
•   A breathtaking entrance and views of aquamarine pools, waterfalls
•   Opportunities for swimming and a visit to a partially submerged cave
•   Though there's no road into the wadi, one can negotiate the first km in a 4WD

Ras Al Jinz
•   The easternmost point of the Arabian Peninsula and an important turtle-nesting site
•   Peak time for turtle watching is from June to September
•   Located 40km away from Sur
•   The area is under government protection, escorted tours available
•   Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve offers air-conditioned rooms and cottages
Wadi Bani Khalid
•   Most popular wadi of Sharqiyah region, its stream maintains a constant flow
•   Around 270 km from Muscat north of Al-Kamil and can be reached via Ibra
•   Features large pools, boulders and caves including Kahf Maqal
•   Springs include Ain Hamouda, Ain al Sarooj and Ain Dawwa
•   The village of Badaa is a well-known tourist stop in the valley

Masirah Island
•   A real desert island experience with isolated sandy beaches and wild life
•   An Indian Ocean island off the east coast of Oman, 95 km long
•   Hosts all four of Oman's nesting species of turtles
•   Camping is still the most common way of experiencing Masirah
•   450km from Muscat: Take the Nizwa road, at Bid Bid take left to reach Sur road for Sinaw; from Shannah take ferry to Masirah Island

Duqm
•   The port city is witnessing major transformation in all sectors including in tourism
•   Places to visit are Rock Garden the Oman's geological wonder, old fishing villages and beautiful beaches
•   Duqm Beach, a beautiful beach known for its soft, clean sands, azure waters and cool breezes, is 20 kilometres from the centre of Wilayat
•   The Al Madina Al Duqm Hotel and Crown Plaza Hotel cater to the increasing demand for accommodation
•   Can be reached by Oman Air flights and by road (About 600km from Muscat down south)

Dhofar (Salalah)
•   Best season for visit is monsoon or 'Khareef'
•   The coast blends with the mountains and the desert - mountains rising to a height of 1,500 metres
•   About 1,040 kilometres away from Muscat
•   Daily flights and buses between Muscat and Salalah
•   Drive from Muscat to Salalah takes roughly 12 hours

Health Benefits of Coriander

The health benefits of coriander include its use in the treatment of skin inflammation , high cholesterol levels, diarrhea, mouth ulcers, anemia, indigestion, menstrual disorders, smallpox, conjunctivitis, skin disorders, and blood sugar disorders, while also benefiting eye care.

Coriander, commonly known as Dhania in the Indian Subcontinent and Cilantro in the Americas and some parts of Europe, is an herb that is extensively used around the world as a condiment, garnish, or decoration on culinary dishes. Its scientific name is Coriandrum Sativum L. Its leaves and fruits have a recognizable and pleasant aroma and are commonly used raw or dried for culinary applications.

Nutritional Value of Coriander

Its uses in global food preparation is only the tip of the iceberg. Unbeknownst to many people, coriander is packed with potential health benefits that most people completely miss when they toss this garnish into the garbage after eating their meal. It has eleven components of essential oils, six types of acids (including ascorbic acid, better known as vitamin-C), minerals and vitamins, each having a number of beneficial properties. A more complete list is given below.

Health benefits of coriander

Skin inflammation: Cineole, one of the 11 components of the essential oils, and linoleic acid, are both present in coriander, and they possess antirheumatic and antiarthritic properties. They help to reduce the swelling that is caused by these two conditions. For other swelling conditions, such as swelling due to kidney malfunction or anemia, it is also seen to be effective to some extent, because some of the components in coriander help the induce urination and the release of excess water from the body. The reduction in skin inflammation can lead to increased functioning, a reduction in discomfort, and an improvement in skin appearance.

Skin disorders: The disinfectant, detoxifying, antiseptic, antifungal and antioxidant properties of coriander are ideal for clearing up skin disorders such as eczema, dryness and fungal infections.

Low cholesterol levels: Some of the acids present in coriander, like linoleic acid, oleic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid and ascorbic acid (vitamin-C) are very effective in reducing the cholesterol levels in the blood. They also reduce the level of bad cholesterol (LDL) deposition along the inner walls of the arteries and veins, which can lead to serious cardiovascular issues like artherosclerosis, heart attacks, and strokes. More importantly, coriander helps to raise the levels of healthy cholesterol (HDL), which works as a preventative line of defense against a number of dangerous conditions.

Diarrhea: Some of the components of essential oils found in coriander such as Borneol and Linalool, aid in digestion, proper functioning of the liver and bonding of bowels, while also helping to reduce diarrhea. It is also helpful in curing diarrhea caused by microbial and fungal action, since components like Cineole, Borneol, Limonene, Alpha-pinene & beta-phelandrene have antibacterial effects.
Coriander is also increasingly popular as a means of preventing nausea, vomiting, and other stomach disorders. Its wealth of bioactive compounds means that new health benefits are always being discovered in this power-packed plant.
In addition to these health aspects of the stomach, fresh coriander leaves are excellent appetizers to get your bowels prepared for a large meal.

Blood pressure: Consuming coriander has been shown to positively reduce blood pressure in many patients suffering from hypertension. The interaction of Calcium ions and cholinergic, a neurotransmitter in the peripheral and central nervous system, more commonly know as acetylcholine. The interaction of these two elements relaxes blood vessel tension, thereby reducing the chances of a number of cardiovascular conditions, including heart attacks and strokes.

Mouth ulcers: Citronelol, a component of essential oils in coriander, is an excellent antiseptic. Additionally, other components have antimicrobial and healing effects which keep wounds and ulcers in the mouth from worsening. They help speed up the healing process of ulcers and also freshen breath. Although not in common use in mainstream products, coriander is often used as an antiseptic component of all-natural toothpastes. In fact, before the invention of toothpaste, people would chew on coriander seeds to reduce bad breath!

Anemia: Coriander is high in iron content, which directly helps people who suffer from anemia. Low iron content in the blood can result in shortness of breath, heart palpitations, extreme fatigue, and a decrease in cognitive functions. Iron also benefits proper functions of other organ systems, increases energy and strength, and promotes the health of bones.

Anti-allergic properties: Multiple studies have shown coriander to have strong anti-histamine properties that can reduce the uncomfortable affects of seasonal allergies and hay fever (rhinitis). Coriander oil can also be used to reduce allergic reactions to contact with plants, insects, food, and other substances that may cause allergic reactions on the skin or when consumed. Internally, it can ward off anaphylaxis, hives, and dangerous swelling of the throat and glands. It’s never a bad idea to protect yourself against allergic reactions, especially since it is difficult to know what you might be allergic to, until you come in contact with it for the first time!

Salmonella protection: Salmonella is one of the most dangerous causes of food borne illnesses in the world, so any natural way to protect against it is very important. Coriander has unusually high levels of dodecenal, a natural compound that is actually twice as powerful of an antibiotic than the leading treatment for salmonella-based illness. By adding coriander into your normal diet, you protect your body from horribly uncomfortable, and even fatal, illnesses relating to this deadly bacteria. Coriander is commonly found in salsa to add flavor, so dip a chip and protect yourself from food poisoning, the most common way of describing the effects of salmonella.

Bone health: As a rich source of calcium, coriander is of great value for people who want to protect the integrity of their bones. Calcium and other essential minerals found in coriander are integral components of bone regrowth and durability, as well as in the prevention of bone degradation so commonly associated with debilitating diseases like osteoporosis. Adding even a small amount of coriander to your diet can help to keep your bones healthy and strong for years to come. Calcium is particularly present in the center leaves of coriander, so aim for that part of the plant if bone health is your focus!

Digestion: Coriander, due to the rich aroma from its essential oils, helps in the proper secretion of enzymes and digestive juices in the stomach, thereby stimulating digestion and peristaltic motion. It is also helpful in treating eating disorders like anorexia. Besides the pleasant aroma of coriander, it has certain stimulatory qualities, derived from the minerals and neurotransmitters that are stimulated when coriander is ingested. Studies have shown that dyspepsia (indigestion) is reduced if coriander is regularly added to the diet. For small children, who have a higher chance of developing abdominal colic than adults, small amounts of coriander in their diet can clear the issue up quickly!

Smallpox: The essential oils in coriander are rich in antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-infectious and detoxifying components and acids. The presence of vitamin-C and iron strengthens the immune system as well. These properties help prevent and cure smallpox, and they can also reduce the pain and have a soothing effect on smallpox patients. In the places left in the world where smallpox outbreaks occur, studies have shown massive amounts of vitamin-C have a definite curative effect on smallpox in hundreds of different cases.

Menstrual disorders: Coriander is a natural stimulant, and it regulates proper secretion from the endocrine glands, and that hormonal impact means that it helps regulate proper menstrual cycles and reduces the associated pain during a woman’s period.

Eye care: Coriander is loaded with antioxidants, vitamin-A, vitamin-C and minerals like phosphorous in its essential oils, which prevents vision disorders, macular degeneration and it reduces strain and stress on the eyes. There is also beta-carotene in the leaves, which prevent a number of other diseases that affect the eye, and can even reverse the effects of vision degradation in aging patients.

Conjunctivitis: As discussed earlier, coriander is a very good disinfectant and has antimicrobial properties that protect the eyes from contagious diseases like conjunctivitis. Coriander oil is one of the fundamental components of a number of eye care products.

Blood sugar and diabetes: Due the stimulating effect of coriander on the endocrine glands, the secretion of insulin is increased from pancreas which subsequently increases the insulin level in the blood. This regulates the proper assimilation and absorption of sugar and the resulting drops in the sugar level in the blood. This property is extremely beneficial for patients who suffer from diabetes and other related conditions, in order to lower their chances of dangerous spikes and drops in their blood sugar levels, and to ensure other normal metabolic functions as well.

Other benefits: Coriander helps cure ulcers, inflammation, spasms, while acting as an expectorant and protecting the liver. It is anticarcinogenic, anticonvulsant, antihistaminic and hypnotic. Coriander is believed to be a natural aphrodisiac and traditionally, it was widely used in certain combinations with other herbs to enhance a person’s libido.

Word of Caution: There have been very few dangers associated with coriander, but as with almost any food, there is some danger of allergic reaction to it, and in some cases, it can be irritating to the skin. One of the more unusual side effects is that some patients complain of sunlight sensitivity, and that excessive coriander intake makes them more susceptible to sunburn, which could subsequently lead to skin cancer over the long term.
Pregnant women should not take coriander until more established research is done, although some women have claimed that it increases their production of breast milk flow. It is best to be safe, so speak with a doctor before adding coriander to your diet, and pay attention to the response your body has!

How Long Muslims Fast For Ramadan Around The World

List of religious populations

By proportion

Christians

Countries with the greatest proportion of Christians from Christianity by country (as of 2010):

Christianity – Percentage by country

Vatican City 100%
Pitcairn Islands 100% (100% Seventh-day Adventist)^[7]
Samoa ~99%^[8]
Romania 99%^[9]
American Samoa 98.3%^[10]
Malta 98.1%^[11] (mostly Roman Catholic)
Venezuela 98%^[12] (96% Roman Catholic)
Greece 98% ^[13] (95% Greek Orthodox)
Marshall Islands 97.2%^[14]
Tonga 97.2%^[15]
San Marino 97%^[16] (~97% Roman Catholic)
Paraguay 96.9%^[17] (mostly Roman Catholic)
Peru 96.5%^[18] (mostly Roman Catholic)
El Salvador 96.4%^[19]
Kiribati 96%^[20]
Federated States of Micronesia ~96%^[21]
Barbados 95.1%^[22]
Papua New Guinea 94.8%^[23]
East Timor 94.2%^[24]^[25]
Armenia 93.5%^[26] (mostly Armenian Apostolic)

Muslims

Countries with the greatest proportion of Muslims from Islam by country (as of 2010) (figures excluding foreign workers in parenthesis):

Islam – Percentage by country

Saudi Arabia 100 %^[27] (90–95% Sunni, 5–10% Shi'a^[28])
Maldives 100% (mostly Sunni)^[29]
Mauritania 100% (mostly Sunni)
Turkey 99.8% (mostly Sunni)
Somalia 99.8% (mostly Sunni)^[30]
Afghanistan ~99%^[31] (mostly Sunni, 20% Shi'a)^[32]
Yemen 99.1% (99.9%) (65–70% Sunni, 30–35% Shi'a)
Morocco 98.7% (mostly Sunni)
Algeria 98.3%^[33] (mostly Sunni)
Iran 98% (mostly Shi'a)^[34]
Tunisia 98% (mostly Sunni)
Comoros 98% (mostly Sunni)^[35]
Sudan 97%^[36] (mostly Sunni)
Libya 96.6% (99%)^[37] (Sunni)
Pakistan 96.4%^[38] (85–90% Sunni, 10–15% Shi'a)^[39]
Iraq 95% (60–65% Shi'a, 33–40% Sunni)
Djibouti 94% (mostly Sunni)^[40]
Niger 93% (mostly Sunni)^[41]
Bangladesh 89.4% (Sunni)^[42]
Egypt 89.3% (Sunni)^[43]

Remarks: Because officially Muslim governments (such as Saudi Arabia,^[44] Iran,^[45] Sudan,^[46] Somalia,^[47] Afghanistan,^[48] Pakistan^[49] and Persian Gulf States^[50]) that often forcibly suppress other religious beliefs rule a number of traditionally Islamic countries, the figures for these other religious groups could be higher than reported in those nations. While conversion to Islam is among its most supported tenets, conversion from Islam to another religion is considered to be the sin of apostasy. According to the Hadith^[51] and in some countries it is subject to the penalty of death.^[52] See Freedom of religion by country and Apostasy in Islam.

Buddhists

Countries with the greatest proportion of Buddhists (included other folk religions) from Buddhism by country (as of 2013):

Buddhism – Percentage by country

Cambodia 97% (Theravada – 93% practicing)
Japan 96% (Mahayana – 36% practicing)
Thailand 95% (Theravada – 93% practicing)
Taiwan 93% (Mahayana – 35% practicing)
Mongolia 93% (Vajrayana – 53% practicing)
Myanmar 90% (Theravada – 80% practicing)
Hong Kong 90% (Mahayana – 15% practicing)
Bhutan 84% (Vajrayana – 75% practicing)
Macau 80% (Mahayana – 17% practicing)
Vietnam 75% (Mahayana – 10% practicing)
Christmas Island 75% (Mahayana – 36% practicing)
Sri Lanka 70% (Theravada – 69% practicing)
Laos 67% (Theravada – 65% practicing)
Singapore 51% (Mahayana – 33% practicing)
China 50% (Mahayana – 20% practicing)
South Korea 50% (Mahayana – 23% practicing)
Malaysia 21% (Mahayana – 18% practicing)
Brunei 17% (Mahayana – 9% practicing)
Northern Mariana Islands 16% (Mahayana – 10% practicing)
North Korea 14% (Mahayana – 2% practicing)

Remarks: East Asian Buddhism is the mixture of Mahayana Buddhism, with Taoism and Confucianism. Because officially Communist governments that often forcibly suppressed religious expressions still rule a number of traditionally Buddhist countries, and because Buddhists often practice other traditional East Asian religions, the figures could be much higher in these regions. Mahayana Buddhism in Far East Asian countries has a very wide meaning. That is why in such countries as China, Vietnam, North and South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Singapore, the three religions of Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism are often all considered at once. This is referred to as a "Triple religion", with Gautama Buddha in the center, Laozi in the left, and Confucius in the right.
In some regions, such as Japan, belief systems vary with differing emphasis on Shintoism, as well as Ancestor Worship. Additionally, as Buddhism has harmonized with many Asian cultures, it is often regarded as a cultural background or philosophy rather than a formal religion. As such, the Buddhist population is difficult to gauge exactly, but is often nominal. The lesser percentage given is a number of Buddhists who have taken the formal step of going for refuge. And the wider percentage given are informal/nominal adherents of combined Buddhism with its related religions and those who subscribe to Buddhism and its philosophies in principle but stop short of any ceremonial or formal practice.^[53]^[54]^[55]^[56]^[57]^[58]^[59]^[60]^[61] See Buddhism by country and Irreligion.

Hindus

Countries with the greatest proportion of Hindus from Hinduism by country (as of 2010):

Hinduism – Percentage by country

Ethnic/Indigenous

Indigenous

All of the below come from the U.S Department of State 2009 International Religious Freedom Report, ^[81] based on the highest estimate of people identified as indigenous or followers of indigenous religions that have been well-defined. Due to the syncretic nature of these religions, the following numbers may not reflect the actual number of practitioners.

Judaism

Jewish population by country, 2006.

Countries with the greatest proportion of Jews (as of 2010):

Bahá'ís

Countries with the greatest proportion of Bahá'ís (as of 2010) with a national population ≥200,000:

Belize 2.5%
Bolivia 2.2%
Zambia 1.8%
Mauritius 1.8%
Guyana 1.6%
Vanuatu 1.4%
Barbados 1.2%
Trinidad and Tobago 1.2%
Panama 1.2%
Kenya 1.0%
Lesotho 0.9%
Papua New Guinea 0.9%
Réunion 0.9%
Chad 0.9%
Botswana 0.8%
Gambia 0.8%
Suriname 0.8%
Congo, Republic of the 0.6%
Solomon Islands 0.6%
Venezuela 0.6%

Sources: "Most Baha'i Nations (2010)". QuickLists > Compare Nations > Religions. The Association of Religion Data Archives. 2010. Retrieved 2013-08-20. which used the "World Christian Database" for adherents estimates based on information provided by the World Christian Encyclopedia and "World Christian Trends". A source who's only systematic flaw was to consistently have a higher estimate of Christians than other cross-national data sets.^[103] See "The Largest Baha'i Communities". Largest Religious Communities. Adherents.com. 2013. Retrieved 2013-08-20. for 2000 estimates among all nations.

Irreligious and atheist

Sikhism

Countries with the greatest proportion of Sikhs:

The Sikh homeland is the Punjab state, in India, where today Sikhs make up approximately 61% of the population. This is the only place where Sikhs are in the majority. Sikhs have emigrated to countries all over the world – especially to English-speaking and East Asian nations. In doing so they have retained, to an unusually high degree, their distinctive cultural and religious identity. Sikhs are not ubiquitous worldwide in the way that adherents of larger world religions are, and they remain primarily an ethnic religion. But they can be found in many international cities and have become an especially strong religious presence in the United Kingdom and Canada.^[127]

Taoists/Confucianists/Chinese traditional religionists

As a spiritual practice, Taoism has made fewer inroads in the West than Buddhism and Hinduism. Despite the popularity of its great classics the I Ching and the Tao Te Ching, the specific practices of Taoism have not been promulgated in America with much success;^[128] these religions are not ubiquitous worldwide in the way that adherents of bigger world religions are, and they remain primarily an ethnic religion. Nonetheless, Taoist ideas and symbols such as Taijitu have become popular throughout the world through Tai Chi Chuan, Qigong, and various martial arts.^[129]

Taiwan 33–80%^[130]
China 30%^[131]
Hong Kong 28%^[107]
Macau 13.9%^[106]
Singapore 8.5%^[132]
Malaysia 2.6%^[133]
South Korea 0.2-1%^[134]
Vietnam
Philippines 0.01–0.05%

The Chinese traditional religion has 184,000 believers in Latin America, 250,000 believers in Europe, and 839,000 believers in North America as of 1998.^[135]^[136]

Jainism

India 0.033%
Suriname 0.3%
Fiji 0.2%
Kenya 0.2%

Mormonism

Global distribution of LDS Church members in 2009

The Deseret Morning News' LDS Church Almanac gives information on historical membership records of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The Church's reported membership was roughly 15,000,000 at the start of 2013.

Spiritism

Cuba 10.3%
Jamaica 10.2%
Brazil 4.8%
Suriname 3.6%
Haiti 2.7%
Dominican Republic 2.2%
The Bahamas 1.9%
Nicaragua 1.5%
Trinidad and Tobago 1.4%
Guyana 1.3%
Venezuela 1.1%
Colombia 1.0%
Belize 1.0%
Honduras 0.9%
Puerto Rico 0.7%
Panama 0.5%
Iceland 0.5%
Guadeloupe 0.4%
Argentina 0.2%
Guatemala 0.2%

Source: http://www.thearda.com/QuickLists/QuickList_50.asp
Note that all these estimates come from a single source. However, this source gives a relative indication of the size of the Spiritist communities within each country.