The Sharqiya province is located to the east of the wadi Sumail, a major 'divide' that splits the Hajar Mountains into a western and an eastern range. Along the coast, the Sharqiya stretches from Tiwi in the east via Ras al Hadd to Masirah Island in the southeast. Inland, it includes the eastern Hajar Mountains with several large wadi Systems (Shab, Tiwi, Tayin and Bani Khalid) and the Wahiba, an ancient wedge-shaped sand-sea. The principal town
is Sur, historically the main gateway from Oman to its African colonies. Major towns in the interior include Bilad Bani Bu Ali and Al Mintirib on the edge of the Wahiba Sands,
and Al Mudayrib and lbra on the lower plains of the Hajar Mountains. The Sharqiya area is inhabited by a large number of tribes who, at various times, have played a prominent
role in the history of Oman. |
