| Sohar | |
|---|---|
| — City — | |
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  Sohar
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| Coordinates: 24°22′N 56°45′E / 24.367°N 56.75°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 and about 200 kilometers south of Dubai. Sohar was an ancient capital of Oman and many believe it to be the birthplace of Sindbad 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 [1].
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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 Sohar Port is. Located east of the Strait of Hormuz, Sohar Port was established in 2002 and it is operated by Sohar Industrial Port Company (SIPC). Sohar Port 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 three high educational institutes:
- Sohar University - a private university is in association with the University of Queensland. [2]
- The College of Applied Sciences - a government owned college.[3]
- Oman Medical College - a private university in association with West Virginia University School of Medicine. [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 Castle.
There are also a number of new modern shopping malls and hypermarkets, including Lulu, Safeer Mall, Safeer , and Center Point.
Hotels
There are four hotels in Sohar:
- Crowne Plaza Sohar - A 5-star business operated by the InterContinental Hotels Group hotel at the borders of the city near Al Buraimi. [5]
- Sohar Beach Hotel - A beach resort in the heart of the city. [6]
- Al Wadi Hotel - A mid-range hotel near Salan area.
- Green Oasis Hotel - A small hotel near Sohar Hospital.
In addition to these hotels there are several touristic apartments around the city.
Sports and Leisure
The city has the Sohar Regional Sports Complex and the Sohar Plaza Cinema.
External links
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