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Adh-Dhahirah
Region
Overview
Steeped in history and tradition,
effortlessly intertwined with some
of nature's most charming vistas,
Adh-Dhahirah Region constitutes
a semi desert plain descending from
the foothills of Westrn Hajr Mountains
towards Empty Quarters Desert.
It is separated from Ad-Dakhliyah
Region by Jabal Al-Kawr in the East
and borders the United Arab Emirates
in the North, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
in the West and Al-Wusta Region
in the South.
Adh-Dhahirah is divided into 3 Wilayats
and houses about 205 thousand inhabitant,
with Ibri being the administrative
centre.
Archaeological excavations revealed
that ancient land routes have passed
through Ibri, Wadi Al-Jizzi and
Al-Hawanash with trade caravans
using the Region as a resting place.
The people of Adh-Dhahirah are characterised
by their regular performances of
traditional dances and songs, ancient
recitals and display of their swordsmanship,
which keep alive tradition, legends
of warriors and fought wars.
They are also artisan in their handicrafts,
producing leather work, pottery,
woven wickerwork and saddle bags
especially for camels. Agriculture
and animal rearing are also in practice.
Dhank
Dhank occupies a prominent place
in the history of Oman. The Farms
around Falaj Al-Bazili in the West
of the Wilayat are a testimony to
its historical picture.
It was Imam Saif bin Sultan AI-Yarubi
who constructed the Falaj and surrounded
it with an expanse of plantations.
Ibn Ar-Rumtha, on the other hand,
built Al-Oud Fort in Safalat Al-Wahshi.
Other Popular tourist attractions
in Dank include its spacious caves,
Wadi Dhank, Wadi Al-Fath, Wadi Qumaira,
the springs that nourish lush date
plantations and six watchtowers.
Ibri
The Wilayat of Ibri, 307 Km from
Muscat, possibly gained its name
from the Arabic root 'a-b-r', which
suggests 'crossing' or 'traversing',
indicating its location on some
of the main trading caravan routes.
Today, Ibri is popular for its oil
and gas fields which provide the
country with its main revenue.
However, Ibri is particularly known
for its historical sites, like Bat
Tombs dating back to 3000 BC, and
its 400 year old Fort, with its
engravings and embellishments, and
in-house Friday Mosque.
Other prominent sites include As-Sulaif
Castle and the Forts of Ash-Shahshah,
Al-Aswad; built in 10th century
AH and has four towers, Ad-Dareez;
a major defensive fortress with
two towers and several gates, Al-Iraqi
and Al-Ghabi.
Likewise abundance and verity is
also naturally observed in the Wilayat,
such as the springs of Al-Hadithah
and Al-Jenat, aflaj of Al-Mafjour,
Al-Mab'outh, Al-Iraqi, Ad-Dareez
and Al-Ainayn, Al-Kitten Cave with
its ancient inscriptions, and Wadi
Al-Ain, which encompasses the mountain
of Al-Kur, with its striking scenary
and cascaded waterfalls.
Ibri is a centre for craft weaving,
and features a souq specialised
in palm-frond products and woven
camel saddles and bags. Agriculture,
raring, crafting traditional building
materials and Omani Halwa are also
in practice here.
Yanqul
Yanqul is situated in the Northeast
of the Sultanate, some 324 Km from
Muscat, and is considered a 'transit
station' between Adh-Dhahira and
Al-Batinah Regions.
The most distinguished landmark
in Yanqul is Jabal Al-Hawra; an
eye-catching mountain peak adopted
by the Wilayat as its emblem.
The area has a great deal to offer
visitors: at the summit of Jabal
Al-Khutaim, some 600 ft above surrounding
plain, the panorama reveals a number
of ancient ruins. Wadi Ar-Raki is
a popular tourist location, with
its fine scenery and wide variety
of flora.
Traditional crafts in Yanqul include
gold forging, sugar-making, carpentry
and weaving.
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