| Geography and Climate |
The country has many salt marshes, but most of the terrain is covered with low-lying, barren desert and stretches of gravel plain. The desert plains are generally less than 152 m above sea level. They rise dramatically to nearly 3,048 m at the Al Hajar Mountains along the Musandam Peninsula in the east.
The climate is hot year-round. In winter, humidity is high along the coast. The country’s average winter temperature is 21°C. When the northeastern shimal wind blows, temperatures may drop to as low as 8°C. Summer temperatures can reach 46°C along the coast, and coastal humidity is significantly lighter than it is during the winter. Temperatures can reach 49°C in the desert. The khamsin frequently blows in from the south and causes sandstorms.
Annual rainfall is slight and erratic, with an annual average of only 76 to 102 mm. February and March are the rainiest months, while the period of May to November is almost entirely without rain.
Ref. Microsoft, 1996 |