<hdr>The World Factbook 1994: Oman<nl>Government</hdr><body>
<list>
<item><hi format=bold>Names:</hi>
<list style=hang>
<item>• <hi format=ital>conventional long form:</hi> Sultanate of Oman
<item>• <hi format=ital>conventional short form:</hi> Oman
<item>• <hi format=ital>local long form:</hi> Saltanat Uman
<item>• <hi format=ital>local short form:</hi> Uman
</list>
<item><hi format=bold>Digraph:</hi> MU
<item><hi format=bold>Type:</hi> monarchy
<item><hi format=bold>Capital:</hi> Muscat
<item><hi format=bold>Administrative divisions:</hi> there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 3 governorates (muhafazah, singular—muhafazat); Masqat, Musandam, Zufar
<item><hi format=bold>Independence:</hi> 1650 (expulsion of the Portuguese)
<item><hi format=bold>National holiday:</hi> National Day, 18 November (1940)
<item><hi format=bold>Constitution:</hi> none
<item><hi format=bold>Legal system:</hi> based on English common law and Islamic law; ultimate appeal to the sultan; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
<item><hi format=bold>Suffrage:</hi> none
<item><hi format=bold>Executive branch:</hi>
<list style=hang>
<item>• <hi format=ital>chief of state and head of government:</hi> Sultan and Prime Minister QABOOS bin Said Al Said (since 23 July 1970)
<item>• <hi format=ital>cabinet:</hi> Cabinet
</list>
<item><hi format=bold>Legislative branch:</hi> unicameral Consultative Council
<item><hi format=bold>Judicial branch:</hi> none; traditional Islamic judges and a nascent civil court system
<item><hi format=bold>Political parties and leaders:</hi> none
<item><hi format=bold>Other political or pressure groups:</hi> NA
<item><hi format=bold>Flag:</hi> three horizontal bands of white (top, double width), red, and green (double width) with a broad, vertical, red band on the hoist side; the national emblem (a khanjar dagger in its sheath superimposed on two crossed swords in scabbards) in white is centered at the top of the vertical band