Dhofar

Dhofar

also spelled  Dhufar,  Arabic  Ẓufār,  

      historical region in southern Oman, extending from Cape Ash-Sharbatāt on the coast of the Arabian Sea southwestward to the Oman-Yemen border. The region's northern boundary has never been defined, but generally included in the territory is the Wadi Mughshin, located about 150 miles (240 km) inland. To the northeast of Dhofar is a large desert of stony plains and sand dunes that contribute to the region's isolation from northern Oman. The Ṣalālah coastal plain (about 40 miles [64 km] long and ranging from 1 to 6 miles [1.5 to 9.5 km] wide), facing the Arabian Sea, is considered one of the most beautiful in Arabia, particularly in its southwestern part, because of its monsoon climate and temperate vegetation and bird life; the region has constantly flowing streams, making it Oman's most fertile area. About 10 miles (16 km) inland the rugged al-Qarāʾ Mountains rise to heights of between 3,000 and 4,000 feet (900 and 1,200 m). Farther north the al-Qarāʾ Mountains give way to a pebbly desert, beyond which lies the Rubʿ al-Khali (“Empty Quarter”) of Saudi Arabia.

      Dhofar is one of the locations suggested for the Ophir of the Bible; the earliest known settlement in the region dates back to the 12th century BC. By the close of the 12th century AD the region was ruled as a tributary of Oman by Aḥmad ibn-Moḥammad al-Manjawa. In the early 19th century it was governed by Moḥammad ibn-Agil al-Ajaibi. In 1965, Ohotari tribesmen, supported by neighbouring Yemen (Aden), rebelled against Sultan Saʿīd ibn Taymūr's restrictive policies; they were defeated in 1975.

      Major crops in Dhofar include coconuts, alfalfa, sorghum, bananas, and vegetables. The region is the world's leading source of frankincense. Dhofar is Oman's cattle-raising area, primarily for milk. There are oil fields in the northeast. The coastal town of Ṣalālah, sprawled along a sandy beach, was the permanent residence of the former sultan of Oman. Other major towns, all situated on the plain, include Mirbāṭ, Ṭāqah, Raysūt, and Rakhyūt. A road from Ṣalālah crosses the al-Qarāʾ Mountains north to Thamril, where a graded road continues northward. The mountain sector is inhabited almost exclusively by the Qara, Sheva, and Mahra peoples; the majority of the peoples on the Ṣalālah plain are Najd and Kathier.

* * *


Universalium. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать реферат

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Dhofar S.C.S.C. — Dhofar S.C.S.C. نادي ظفار Full name Dhofar Sports, Cultural, and Social Club Nickname(s) Al Zaeem (The Leader(s)/The Boss) Founded 1968 (as Al Shaab) July 24, 19 …   Wikipedia

  • Dhofar — (arabisch ‏ظفار‎ Zufār, DMG Ẓufār) ist ein Gouvernement (arabisch ‏محافظة‎, DMG muḥafaẓa) im Süden des Sultanats Oman mit 215.960 Einwohnern (Volkszählung 7. Dezember 2003) und einer Fläche von 99.300 Quadratkilometern. Die… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Dhofar —   [ȓ ], Sufar, Zofar [ȓ ], der südwestliche Landesteil von Oman auf der Arabischen Halbinsel, etwa 100 000 km2, 40 000 Einwohner; Hauptort ist die Hafenstadt Salala. An die schmale Küstenebene schließt sich mit Steilanstieg ein ausgedehntes… …   Universal-Lexikon

  • Dhofar — The Dhofar (Arabic ظفار Ẓufār) region lies in Southern Oman, on the eastern border of Yemen. Its mountainous area covers convert|99300|km2|abbr=on and has the population of 215,960 as of census 2003. The largest town in the region is Salalah.… …   Wikipedia

  • Dhofar — 18° N 54° E / 18, 54 …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Dhofar — Situación de Dhofar en Omán. La gobernación de Dhofar o Zufar (árabe ظفار Ẓufār) se encuentra al sur de Omán y al este de Yemen. Históricamente ha sido la fuente principal del incienso en el mundo. Sin embargo, este incienso es usado localmente;… …   Wikipedia Español

  • Dhofar — La gobernación de Dhofar o Zufar (Árabe ظفار Ẓufār) se encuentra al sur de Omán y al este de Yemen. Históricamente ha sido la fuente principal del incienso en el mundo. Sin embargo, este franquincienso es usado localmente; Somalia es ahora el… …   Enciclopedia Universal

  • Dhofar Rebellion — Date 1962–1976 Location Oman, Middle East Result Defeat of insurgents Modernisation of Oman …   Wikipedia

  • Dhofar Shrew — Dhofar Shrew[1] Conservation status Data Deficient (IUCN 3.1)[2 …   Wikipedia

  • Dhofar 004 (метеорит) — Dhofar 004 Находка или падение Находка Широта 18°25.658 N …   Википедия

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”