Sohar

Sohar
—  City  —
Sohar Fort, Al Hujra, Sohar.
Sohar Location in Oman
Coordinates: 24°20′31.2″N 56°43′47.6″E
Country	Oman
Region	Al Batinah Region
Time zone	Oman Standard Time (UTC+4)

Sohar (Arabic: صحار‎) is the most developed city in Sultanate of Oman outside the capital Muscat. It is about 200 kilometers north of Muscat. Sohar was an ancient capital of Oman and many believe it to be the birthplace of Sinbad the Sailor . Having a rich sailing history, Sohar was traditionally a fishing town, but is more recently known as Oman's industrial hub due to the massive developments in the Sohar Industrial Port.

Sohar is the fifth most populated city in Oman with a population of 140,006 according to the results of the 2010 census.

Industry

Sohar is currently experiencing significant investment and economic shifts making it the focus of attention of many local and international investors and businessmen. This change is due to a series of investment projects and economic giant in Sohar industrial area where Port of Sohar is located. Established in 2002, the port has a strategic importance due to its nearness to the Strait of Hormuz. It is operated by Sohar Industrial Port Company (SIPC)and it is considered a world class port. With current investments exceeding $12 billion, it is one of the world’s largest port development projects.

The Omani government has paid special attention to the city of Sohar, and placed it in the priorities of the future plan of the Omani economy in 2020. The goal of the Omani government is to make Sohar a business and industrial hub and help the Omani economy diversify away from oil. In order for the Omani economy to achieve this economic diversification, the Omani government is investing in a number of projects in the industrial area of Sohar. For example, it is investing more than 5 billion dollars in the steel industry in which Oman aims to be one of the Gulf Cooperation Council's leading producers. In addition to the steel industry, there is also the industry of aluminium in Sohar industrial area. Sohar Aluminium Company was established in 2004 and it is considered one of the leading projects that play a major role in the sultanate’s economic diversification strategy.

Education

Sohar has four high educational institutes:

• Sohar University - a private university in association with the University of Queensland. [1]
• The College of Applied Sciences - a government owned college.[2]
• Oman Medical College - a private university in association with West Virginia University School of Medicine. [3]
• International Maritime College Oman. [4]

Parks

Sohar has two main parks. The first is Sohar Park, which is located in Al Humbar. The second is the Silver Jubilee Park which is located in Sallan.

Shopping

Sohar has a traditional Souk in the town center, and another traditional shopping market in Al Hujra near the Sohar Fort.

There are also a number of modern shopping malls and hypermarkets: the Lulu Supermarket was destroyed by fire after arsonists set fire to it during the Arab Spring demos in February however, Safeer Mall, Mars Hypermarket, Al Maya, and Centerpoint all continue to serve the community. Safeer Center boasts its new (June 2011) anchor tenant Carrefour.

Sports and Leisure

The city has the Sohar Regional Sports Complex and the Sohar Plaza Cinema.

Main Landmarks

• Globe Roundabout
• Sohar Gate
• Bahjat Al Anthar (The Sultan's Palace in Sohar)
• Sohar Fort
• Bull Fighting Arena
• Handcrafts Market
• Fish Market
• Sohar Amusement Center.

External links

• Omani Ministry of Foreign Affairs