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Compare and Contrast:
The U.A.E. and Oman
The U.A.E. and Oman are neighbouring countries in the south-east of the Arabian peninsula. Although they understandably have much in common, they also have a number of significant differences. Some of these similarities and differences will be outlined below.
First, the two countries share a similar history: they are both on an ancient trade route linking India with Mesopotamia. Moreover, they share the same official religion, which is Islam. In addition, they share the same official language, namely Arabic, although Farsi, Hindi and Urdu are also used in the U.A.E. and Kiswahili in Oman. Finally, the landscape in both is similar: they possess a number of offshore islands and have a varied topography with sebkha, sand deserts, gravel plains, wadis, and mountains.
There are nonetheless noticeable differences between the two nations. A major point is the economy: that of the U.A.E. depends largely on oil and gas whereas Oman has also developed its agricultural sectors. Secondly, they differ in population. There are approximately four million people in the former country, 2.5 million in the latter. Third, they differ in size. Oman, at around 220,000 square metres, is almost three times as large as the U.A.E. A final point is their governments: the U.A.E. has a sheikh whereas its counterpart has a sultan as leader.
To sum up, these two countries have many characteristics in common but, too, at least as many contrasts. Perhaps the similarities are more significant than the differences.
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