| |
Al
Batinah Region
Overivew
Al-Batinah Region accommodates the
fertile coastal plain of Al-Batinah,
which nestles bewteen the Western
Hajar Mountains in the West and
Gulf of Oman in the East, extending
for 270 Km long and 25 Km wide.
Al-Batinah has witnessed a glorious
past and proud history, and once
was home to two early capitals of
Oman; Ar-Rustaq and Sohar. A vast
array of strongholds still in existence
to date telling chapters of this
renowned saga, such as Rustaq, Nakhl
and Sohar castles and the forts
of Al-Hazm, Jibrin, Barka and Bait
An-Nuaman to name a few.
Al-Batinah is home to approximately
660 thousand inhabitants; the second
most densely populated area in the
nation after the Governorate of
Muscat, and comprises 12 Wilayats.
Nature is one of Al-Batinah's most
astounding assets. Aflaj and springs
spread out all over the Region,
with springs of Al-Kasfah and Al-Thuwara
being the most popular. Plam tree
groves extend virtually everywhere,
alongside some rare trees, like
Al-Masuwa and Ad-Debaj. The Region
is also noted for its juicy wadis,
such as Al-Jizzi, Bani Awf and Al-Hoqain.
Al-Batinah has been cultivated for
many years with a variety of food
crops. It is also famous for its
traditional crafts, including Khanjar
and swords forging, pottery and
ceramics, hide tanning, Omani Halwa
and boat building.
Al-Batinah is well-known for horse
and camel racing, and bull fighting.
Sohar
Sohar was the main city of trade
in Oman centuries ago. The Wilayat
is famous for its copper deposits,
and archaeological evidence points
to copper extraction being carried
out 5,000 years ago. Three copper
mines are still in operation today.
One of the first references to Sohar
is in the work of historian Yaqut
Al-Hamawi who implies that the city
possessed its name in the 6th century
AH from a descendent of Noah: Sohar
bin Adam bin Sam bin Noah.
As one of the largest and most modern
cities of the Sultanate, Sohar is
complete with top class amenities
and services. Modern residentail
blocks and commercial centres are
everywhere, parks outspread throughout
the city and a fine collection of
artistic monuments adorn roundaouts.
With its plethora of natural and
cultural sites, Sohar has become
a distinctive tourist destination.
Clean safe beaches, wadis with running
waters, such as Wadi Hibi, Wadi
Ahin and Wadi Al-Jizzi, and the
impressive Castle of Sohar that
houses a museum within, are some
examples.
Sohar is under constant development,
and has incorporated heavy-weight
industrial projects, including Sohar
Refinery (one of the largest worldwide),
a multi-national Industrial Port
along with its industrial zone and
an Airport.
Barka
Barka is one of the historic cities
on the coast of Oman which flourished
during Al-Ya'aribah and Al Bu-Said
dynasties. It was an area of export
and received produce from the neighbouring
Wilayats for shipment to India,
Basra and East Africa. The prosperity
of those days is obvious in Bait
An-Nuaman and the Fort of Barka,
which was the seat of the government.
The Wilayat boasts the magnificent
Sawadi area, with its Island and
Beach. The Island, famous for its
tower, lies 2 Km off the coast.
The Beach houses As-Sawadi Beach
Resort, which provides a number
of recreational and water sports
activities, such as diving, water
skiing and cruises.
Within close proximity lies the
captivating Natural Reserve of Al-Dimaniyyat
Islands. During the weekend evenings
the sound of Manjoor, a traditional
equipment used in the past to pump
water, can be clearly heard.
Today, Barka's appeal is growing
fast and is set to become a major
contender in the residential, commercial
and tourism business. With the onset
of the famed Blue City project in
the charming As-Sawadi area, Barka
will soon become a massive centre
of attraction for local and international
visitors and tourists alike.
Wadi Al-Maawel
The Wilayat lies to the North of
Nakhal, 130 Km from Muscat, and
is home to a number of castles,
forts and towers, the most prominent
of which is As-Safalah Castle in
the town of Afi.
More than 22 aflaj are found here,
such as Al-Washehi and Al-Hadeeth
in addition to the spring of Al-Shelli
in Afi.
The Wilayat is also recognised for
its pottery and dates, processing,
locally knowon as "Tabseel" which
is exported to Indian sub continental.
The Wilayat is also a home for a
rare kind of tree known the "Alfans",
which was brought from East Affrica,
this tree is consider to be the
first of its kind in Sultante.
Nakhl
At 109 Km from Muscat, Nakhl rests
in the South of Al-Batinah at the
foot of Al-Jabal Al-Akhdar; Western
Hajar Mountains.
The Wilayat was named after the
vast extended farms of plam tree
(Nakhl in Arabic) that virtually
cover entire Wilayat.
Upon entry to Nakhl, the most prominent
feature is its majestic Castle,
which is built on a 200m high craggy
outcrop and outlooks the widespread
palm tree farms. The Castle was
extended over the centuries, prior
to its restoration in 1990.
As one would expect, Nakhl is rich
with its water resources, out of
which the spring of Ath-Thuwarah
is the most polpular. Situated close
to the Castle, Ath-Thuwarah irrigates
around 90% of Nakhl land, in addition
to Wadi Mistel and its villages
which lie on the northern footage
of the Green Mountain such as Wakran
Village, with its spectacular scenery
and temperate weather.
Another notable source is Wadi Al-Abyad,
which contains deep warm 'blue pools',
due to mineral deposits in the water.
Al-Awabi
Al-Awabi is situated approximately
150 Km from Muscat, at the foot
of Al-Jabal Al-Akhdar, southwest
of Nakhl.
The Wilayat is scenically stunning,
with areas such as Al-Aliya with
its striking landscapes, tall trees
and towering mountains.
Another noted area is Al-Ojah, dotted
with caves and secret passageways
through the rocks, where ancient
inscriptions are carved into the
walls.
Al-Awabi is characterised by its
pottery and palm-frond ware. Precious
metals are still worked into exquisite
designs here, as gold and silver
jewellery are yet crafted in the
traditional way.
Ar-Rustaq
Wilayat Ar-Rustaq rests in the South
of Al-Batinah at the foot of Western
Hajar Mountains, around 160 Km from
Muscat.
Ar-Rustaq was once the capital of
Oman during the era of Imam Nasir
bin Murshid Al-Ya'arubi, thus, it
is rich with a bounty of archaeological
evidence bearing witness to this
glorious past.
Among said sites are its imposing
Castle with its enclosed Al-Bayadah
Mosque, from which several Omani
scholars have graduated, and Al-Hazm
Fort, built in 1711 and sets an
outstanding example of Omani Islamic
architecture, as well as some 22
watching towers.
The Wilayat is an area of healing
and warm springs, the most famous
being Al-Kasfah spring. Its water
runs at 45 C° and is regarded as
a cure for rheumatism and skin diseases
due to its sulphur content.
Other pertinent natural locations
to visit include the wadis of Bani
Awf, Bani Ghafer, As-Sahtan and
Al-Hoqain, home to Al-Khobbah blue
spring and waterfalls that cascade
up to 10 m high then glide into
crystal clear pools.
More than 200 aflaj populate Ar-Rustaq,
with As-Saighi, Al-Hamam, Al-Kamel
and At-Tayyar being the most popular.
in addition, the mountains are pitted
with caves such as As-Sanqahah Cave
with its own subterranean springs.
A major occupation in Ar-Rustaq
is beekeeping. Its pure Omani honey
is a most sought-after commodity
and is of the highest quality.
Ar-Rustaq is famous for its distictive
style of Omani khanjar, and its
dates are among the best in Oman,
such as Sebg Al-Aroos, Al-Khalas,
Az-Zabad, and Al-Hilali. On top
of that, the Wilayat is market to
the fruits grow on the nearby foothills
of Al-Jabal Al-Akhdar.
Al Musanah
The Wilayat of Al-Musan'ah is located
on the rich fertile plain of Al-Batinah
Coast, 112 Km from Muscat.
It was once a popular market town
and supplied many of the neighbouring
Wilayats with various commodities.
The Wilayat encompasses a number
of walls and strongholds, such as
Al-Musan'ah and Al-Malddeh Forts.
Void of springs and aflaj, the people
of Al-Musan'ah learnt to depend
on their hands, practicing an assortment
of crafts (san'ah), hence its name.
Such crafts include cloth dying
using indigo plant, extracting brown
sugar, Shash boat building and sword
forging.
As-Suwaiq
The Wilayat of As-Suwaiq lies on
the fertile plain of Al-Batinah
Coast, approximately 136 Km from
Muscat.
Unlike its closest neighbour, Al-Musan'ah,
As-Suwaiq possesses many aflaj and
springs. It is not surprising though
to find the Wilayat recognised by
its widespread agriculture, as most
of its inhabitants profess agriculture
and fishing. Vast plantations stretch
across As-Suwaiq where palm trees,
herbs, bananas, mangoes and citrus
fruits are grown.
The Wilayat boasts a number of forts,
the most noted of which is As-Suwaiq
Fort, and it is well-known for its
horse and camel races, along with
bull fighting.
Al-Khabourah
Situated 322 Km from Muscat, the
mountainous Wilayat of Al-Khabourah
is honeycombed with caves, too numerous
to name.
An intermingling of the coast and
mountains conceives a captivating
blend that sets Al-Khabourah apart,
supported by a number of towers
and forts, the most imposing being
Qasbiyat Al-Bu Said Fort.
Thanks to the 150 aflaj the Wilayat
boasts including An-Nabaan and Al-Qasf,
people of Al-Khabourah rely greatly
on agriculture to earn their livelihood,
cultivating dates, sugar cane, wheat
and cotton.
Other occupations in practice include
leather tanning, weaving, fishing,
boat building, Khanjar forging and
Halwa making.
Saham
Saham nestles between the coast
and Western Hajr Mountains, 205
Km from Muscat.
The Wilayat has a plentiful supply
of fresh running water and features
a breathtaking mountain scenery,
turning it to be one of the greenest
coastal areas in the Sultanate.
Its plethora of aflaj and wadis
still constitutes the basis of irrigation
and cultivation, such as the wadis
of Ahin, Al-Mahmoum, As-Sarmi, Shafan
and Khour Milh, and the aflaj of
Bani Omar, Felaij, Rawdha, Mahab
and Sheidah to name a few.
The Souq Castle is the core attraction
in Saham and used to be the headquarter
of the Wali and the Qadi (Judge).
Liwa
The Wilayat of Liwa lies north of
Sohar, approximately 284 Km from
Muscat and has a lively market place
where local produce and fresh fish
are traded.
Liwa boasts a number of rural features
such as springs, afalaj and caves,
including the spring and cave of
Al-Azam adjacent to Khowr Al-Bahr
and surrounded by Mangrove trees,
and Jabal Abu Kahif, home to some
of the largest caves in the Wilayat.
The fortress of Awlad Ya'rab, built
of white clay, is located on the
beach in the Harmul area.
The Wilayat is known for palm-frond
weaving, especially mats as well
as production of traditional herbal
medicines.
Shinas
Shinas is the most northerly situated
Wilayat of Al-Batinah Region and
lies 322 Km from Muscat, bordering
UAE.
Nature lovers will have much to
see in Shinas, home of Wadi Al-Ghalilah
and Wadi Al-Aswad, along with the
renowned tourist landmark of Shinas
Park, famous for its forest of Mangrove
(Qurum) trees. Many fruits and vegetables
are grown here, such as bananas,
mangoes, tomatoes and lemons.
Archaeologically, the Wilayat hosts
a number of sites, the most noted
of which are Shinas Fort and Ras
Al-Mallah Castle.
Shinas people practice fishing,
agriculture and cattle grazing.
They are also highly skilled in
making fishing nets and palm-frond
products.
|
| |
|
|
|
