Musandam Peninsula
جَزِيْرَة مُسَنْدَم رَأْس مُسَنْدَم | |
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Coordinates: 25°54′N 56°12′E / 25.900°N 56.200°E | |
Governorates of Oman and Emirates of the United Arab Emirates | Musandam Governorate (Oman) Ras Al Khaimah (UAE) |
The Musandam Peninsula (Arabic: جَزِيْرَة مُسَنْدَم \ رَأْس مُسَنْدَم, romanized: Jazīrat Musandam / Raʾs Musandam), locally known as Ruus Al Jibal (Arabic: رُؤُوْس ٱلْجِبَال, romanized: Ruʾūs al-Jibāl Capes of the Mountains),[3] is a peninsula that forms the northeastern point of the Arabian Peninsula. It is located to the south of the Strait of Hormuz, between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.[4] It is inhabited by the Shihuh tribe and is mainly governed by Oman as the Musandam Governorate with certain parts governed by the United Arab Emirates, including Ras Al Khaimah and parts of Dibba.[1][2]
Climate, geology and geography
Land features include the Western Hajar Mountains. Since these are the northernmost of the Hajar range, they and the peninsula are referred to as Ruʾūs al-Jibāl (Arabic: رُؤُوْس ٱلْجِبَال, romanized: Capes of the Mountains).[1][2] The largest wadi in Mussandam is Wadi Bih, which forms the central drainage basin.[5][6]
The highest Mountain in Mussandam, and Ru'us al Jibal, is Jebel Harim.
During winter, the region can be fairly cool, particularly the mountains of Jais, Yanas and Mebrah.[7][8]
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View of Jebal Harim from the Green Valley, March 2013
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View of the mountains of Musandam, December 1971
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View of the Ru'us al-Jibal from Jabal Qiwhi
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The mountainous area of Kumzar, c. 1908
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Sedimentary rock layers near Khasab in Musandam Governorate, Oman