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Article: The Sultan's dream. (Sultan of Oman and his near-perfect society)
- Article from:
- National Review
- Article date:
- December 14, 1992
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 1992 National Review, Inc. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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MUSCAT
OMAN has no art treasures like Italy, no natural beauty like Ceylon, no overpowering industry like Japan, no smothering wealth like Kuwait. Yet, to the visitor, it provides a unique experience--the chance to observe a country that is brand new and yet thoroughly traditional, as close to an ideal nation as I ever hope to see.
Oman is almost like a rabbit pulled out of a magician's hat. In the cities one sees hardly a house built before 1972; the few old homes that remain have been cleverly renovated. And yet, apart from a few luxurious hotels, all its buildings are strictly in the Islamic style. There is no poverty, and education is pursued very ...