It is separated from the Dakhliyah region by Jebel al Kawr, a spectacular mountain peak in Yanqul. It also borders Saudi Arabia in the west and the United Arab Emirates in the north. Archaeological discoveries indicate that ancient land routes have passed through Buraimi, Ibri, Wadi al Jizzi and al Hawanash with trade caravans using the region as a resting place.

The wilayat of Buraimi is in the northwest of the region. It has a number of forts, two of which, al Khandaq and al Hillah, have been restored by the Ministry of Heritage and Culture. There are 49 villages in the wilayat, which are irrigated by 49 afalaj.


Outside of these areas, there is only desert. Farming is a main occupation in Buraimi and crops such as limes, dates and alfalfa are cultivated.

The wilayat of Ibri possibly gained its name from the Arabic root 'a-b-r', which suggests 'crossing' or 'traversing', indicating its location on some of the main trading caravan routes. Today, Ibri is well known for its oil and gas fields which provide the country with its main revenue.

However, it is also renowned for the 'Bat Tombs', which were the second site in Oman to be listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. The tombs were discovered in 1976 by a team of Danish archaeologists. The southern section of the site consists of 'beehive' tombs which contain up to five graves.

Another section contained tombs of a different nature, which appear to have been communal graves. In both types of tomb, red pottery similar to the 'Jumdat Nasr' ware from Iraq was found. According to UNESCO's World Heritage List, the Bat Tombs constitute, "..along with neighbouring sites, the most complete collection of settlements and necropolises of the 3rd millenium BC."

There are three main forts in Ibri: Jebel al Shahshah Fort, Al Aswad Fort and Ibri Fort, which contained a large 'Friday Mosque' (one in which many people pray on Fridays).

There are a number of springs and afalaj in the region, and a popular area with locals and visitors alike, is the village of Dhamm in Wadi al Ain: after the rains, water tumbles down Jebel Al Kawr and Jebel al Akhdar in spectacular cascades.

The wilayat of Mahdhah was the home of Ahmed bin Nu'man al Ka'abi, the first Arab ambassador to the United States in 1840. It now contains 99 villages and many of its inhabitants farm the land, growing crops such as corn, dates and animal fodder. Indeed, its soil is so suited to agriculture, that the wilayat adopted the corn ear as its emblem. Local crafts include weaving, spinning and palm-weave products.

Yanqul lies in the northeast of Oman and is considered a 'transit station' between the Dhahira and Batinah regions. The most famous landmark in Yanqul is Jebel al Hawra, a beautiful mountain peak adopted by the wilayat as its emblem.

The area has a great deal to offer visitors: at the summit Jebel al Khutaim, some 600ft above the surrounding plain, the panorama reveals a number of ancient ruins.

Wadi al Raki is a popular tourist location owing to its fine scenery and wide variety of trees. Traditional crafts in Yanqul include goldsmithing, sugar-making, carpentry and weaving.