Oman's Land Encyclopedia
I applaud the launch of Oman's Land Encyclopedia, which was reported to have taken place at the Press Club in Muscat on 2nd May. Oman Observer. The Times of Oman stated that His Highness Sayyid Haitham bin Tariq Al Said, minister of heritage and culture, had said that the encyclopedia, which is being created as a result of Royal directives, would only be published in 2010.
Consisting of three volumes, it will detail the names of all towns and villages in Oman and their connection to the Arabic language and Islamic culture. The third volume will comprise descriptions and names of natural features such as wadis, valleys and famous natural landmarks such as aflaj.
The first two volumes define names and, presumably, boundaries, within the eight regions of Oman.
I recall the very considerable difficulty we used to have in preparing maps for publication in Oman. All names had to be double-checked with the National Surveys Authority and could change. It was impossible to draw a boundary because there was no consensus at the time as to where a boundary should be drawn.
This became even more complicated when you started dealing with the concept of a water resources management region. Natural watershed boundaries do no coincide with administrative boundaries.
It sounds as if a great deal of time and effort will have been devoted to compiling and publishing all this data.
At the launch, Dr Khalifah al Saadi, Wali of Al Buraimi, said that the encyclopedia would assist administrators and development officials in devising policies and taking important development decisions in the country, and that it would be a "rich tourism guide for citizens and visitors willing to explore Oman and its history". You bet.
I hope it will be available in English and made generally available. There was a proposal that the data should be put up on the world wide web.
The only drawback is that changes continue. The Wali suggested that the book be revised every ten years to take account of administrative and geographical additions or changes and new information.
Consisting of three volumes, it will detail the names of all towns and villages in Oman and their connection to the Arabic language and Islamic culture. The third volume will comprise descriptions and names of natural features such as wadis, valleys and famous natural landmarks such as aflaj.
The first two volumes define names and, presumably, boundaries, within the eight regions of Oman.
I recall the very considerable difficulty we used to have in preparing maps for publication in Oman. All names had to be double-checked with the National Surveys Authority and could change. It was impossible to draw a boundary because there was no consensus at the time as to where a boundary should be drawn.
This became even more complicated when you started dealing with the concept of a water resources management region. Natural watershed boundaries do no coincide with administrative boundaries.
It sounds as if a great deal of time and effort will have been devoted to compiling and publishing all this data.
At the launch, Dr Khalifah al Saadi, Wali of Al Buraimi, said that the encyclopedia would assist administrators and development officials in devising policies and taking important development decisions in the country, and that it would be a "rich tourism guide for citizens and visitors willing to explore Oman and its history". You bet.
I hope it will be available in English and made generally available. There was a proposal that the data should be put up on the world wide web.
The only drawback is that changes continue. The Wali suggested that the book be revised every ten years to take account of administrative and geographical additions or changes and new information.
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