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Adam () is an administrative region in Ad Dakhiliyah, in northeastern
Oman Oman, officially the Sultanate of Oman, is a country located on the southeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula in West Asia and the Middle East. It shares land borders with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen. Oman’s coastline ...
. It is a
wilayah A wilayah ( or ''wilāya'', plural ; Urdu, Pashto and ; ) is an administrative division, usually translated as "state", " province" or occasionally as " governorate". The word comes from the Arabic root "''w-l-y''", "to govern": a '' wāli''� ...
in the Interior Governorate. Prominent Omani figures, including Imam Ahmad bin Said, the founder of the Al Busaidi dynasty, originated from this region. Adam serves as a gateway to
Dhofar Governorate The Dhofar Governorate () is the largest of the 11 Governorates of Oman, governorates in the Oman, Sultanate of Oman in terms of area. It lies in southern Oman, on the eastern border with Yemen's Al Mahrah Governorate and the southern border wi ...
, and is surrounded by orchards irrigated by
falaj A qanāt () or kārīz () is a water supply system that was developed in ancient Iran for the purpose of transporting usable water to the surface from an aquifer or a well through an underground aqueduct. Originating approximately 3,000 years a ...
. The population of Adam is estimated to be around 20,000 people.


Etymology

The region is named after the phrase "Adim al-Ard" which some say refers to the surface shape of the land. Others say this refers to the fertile land located in the middle of the desert. People commonly refer to it as "Al Sakbiyah" due to its fertility throughout the year and influx of guests


Location

The total area of the state is estimated to be about 15,000 square kilometers, of which the desert occupies a large portion. The state of Adam is located in the southernmost part of the Interior Governorate and is considered its main gateway from the south. Due to its strategic location, the (
Nizwa Nizwa () is the largest city in Ad Dakhiliyah Region in Oman and was the capital of Imamate of Oman, Oman proper. Nizwa is about (1.5 hour drive) from the Omani capital Muscat. The population is estimated at around 83,544 people. Nizwa is o ...
-
Salalah Salalah () is the capital and largest city of the southern Omani Governorates of Oman, governorate of Dhofar Governorate, Dhofar. It has a population close to 331,949. Salalah is the third-largest city in the Sultanate of Oman, and the largest ...
) road is a vital artery that passes through its center. It is approximately 225 kilometers from
Muscat Governorate Muscat () is a governorate A governorate or governate is an administrative division headed by a governor. As English-speaking nations tend to call regions administered by governors either states or provinces, the term ''governorate'' is typ ...
, 860 kilometers from Dhofar Governorate, and about 76 kilometers from Nizwa State. It is bordered by the states of
Nizwa Nizwa () is the largest city in Ad Dakhiliyah Region in Oman and was the capital of Imamate of Oman, Oman proper. Nizwa is about (1.5 hour drive) from the Omani capital Muscat. The population is estimated at around 83,544 people. Nizwa is o ...
and Manah to the north, Haima and
Mahout A mahout is an elephant rider, trainer, or keeper. Mahouts were used since antiquity for both civilian and military use. Traditionally, mahouts came from ethnic groups with generations of elephant keeping experience, with a mahout retainin ...
to the south,
Al-Mudhaibi Al-Mudhaibi () is the largest willaya in Ash Sharqiyah region of Oman. It has two niabas: Sinaw and Samad Ash Shan. Suq Sinaw is one of the most popular suqs in Oman. Dresses, khanjars and jewelry are sold there. It includes villages like A ...
to the east, and Bahla and Ibri to the west.


History

The history of the Wilayat of Adam dates back to pre-Islamic times. Adam has several meanings in Arabic but most likely means the fertile land. The most notable places are Harrat Al Ain, Harrat al Bousaid, Harrat Al Hawashim, and Harrat Bani Shiban, where several archeological sites have been found, and Harrat Al Jami, which is more recent. The town is from Muscat on the
Salalah Salalah () is the capital and largest city of the southern Omani Governorates of Oman, governorate of Dhofar Governorate, Dhofar. It has a population close to 331,949. Salalah is the third-largest city in the Sultanate of Oman, and the largest ...
road, at the southernmost end of Dakhiliya's border with Sharqiya region. It is the last green oasis before the desert. Here you can see ancient forts, citadels and towers, mosques and deserted traditional souqs. Adam is adjacent to Manah and Bahla to the north, Mahout and Haima in the Al Wusta region to the south, Wilayat Ibri of the Dhahirah region to the southwest and Wilayat at Mudhaibi of the Sharqiya region to the east. Its population numbers 13,000 in 60 villages. Yaqut al-Hamawi, in his book "Mu'jam al-Buldan" (Dictionary of Countries), described it as "Adam, with the opening of its first and second letters, from the northern regions of Amman." Adam was a center for the convergence of trade caravans coming from the Levant and vice versa during the pre-Islamic era. Sources mention that the Bani Shayban neighborhood was a center for these traders, and this is supported by the discovery of artifacts during the restoration of a mosque near the area, such as swords, horse bridles, and roosters. Its history dates back to the time of the Yarubids.


Affiliated Villages

There are 59 villages in the state of Adam, 24 of which are located within the state center. The most important of these are the areas of Harat Bani Shibban, Al Rahba, Al Sileel, Al Jamea, Hisn Al Hawashim, Al Rughah, Hala Al Awasim, Al Nahda, Al Alaya, Al Qalaa, Al Sha'abiyah, Al Samirat, Harat Bani Wael, and Al Mukhtabiyah, Harat Al Anab, Hay Al Sakbiyah, and Al Baysitin. Of the villages outside the state centre, the most important of which are
Sana'a Sanaa, officially the Sanaa Municipality, is the ''de jure'' capital and largest city of Yemen. The city is the capital of the Sanaa Governorate, but is not part of the governorate, as it forms a separate administrative unit. At an elevation ...
, Al Sameti, Al Hajr, Al Hadithah, Qarn Al Alam, Al Ghayzaranah, Wadi Halfin, Al Haqf, Ras Al Jabal, and Al Ghabaytah.


Prominent figures

Many prominent scholars have emerged from the state of Adam's history: * Ahmed bin Said Al Busaidi, the grandfather of the ruling family and the founder of the Al Busaidi dynasty, left the state and moved to the state of
Sohar Sohar () is the capital and largest city of the Al Batinah North Governorate in Oman. An ancient capital of the country that once served as an important Islamic port town on the Gulf of Oman, Sohar has also been credited as the mythical birthp ...
, where his house still stands today. * Darwish bin Jumah Al Mahrouqi, the author of the book "Al-Dalail fi Al-Lawazim wa Al-Masa'il" (The Evidence on Obligations and Issues), was born in the Al Rughah region, passed away there, and was buried in a cemetery named after him. * Sheikh Al-Faqih Ali bin Said Al Mahrouqi


Historical monuments

The Al-Jami Mosque, which was built during the Azd period in 717 AD, located in the Al-Busaidi Mosque area, is an architectural masterpiece and a landmark for artistic advancement in the field of architectural engineering. It is also evidence of the Omani people's interest in mosques throughout Al-Ghubra. Other notable mosques in the area include the Al-Mahlabiya bint Abi Safra Mosque, Al-Rahba Mosque, Al-Ghariqa Mosque, Al-Hawashim Mosque, Al-Shabana Mosque, and Al-Rawgha Mosque. Additionally, the region is characterized by the presence of several ancient mud-brick alleys with exquisite architectural designs that have made them withstand natural forces. Among the most important of these alleys are Bani Shiban Alley, Al-Jami Alley, Al-Hawashim Alley, Mabirz Alley, and Al-Majabira Alley.


Old lanes

* Harat Bani Shayban: This neighborhood is considered the oldest and most prestigious in the province, and it has an ancient market. * Harat Al-Busa'id: One of the ancient neighborhoods in the province where the founder of the Busaid state was born. * Harat Al-Majabira: It is one of the oldest neighborhoods in the province, and the Majabira Tower stands tall in it, built in the 18th century. * Harat Mabirz: One of the oldest and neighborhoods, preceded by the famous Rahba Mosque in the province, and the Rahba Tower stands tall in it. * Harat Al-Souq: It is characterized by its beautiful character and includes several beautiful old buildings. Among the old and well-known neighborhoods in the province are Harat Bani Wael and Harat Al-Hawashim.


Forts and Castles

Adam Castle, which was built during the reign of the Ya'aribah dynasty and is located in the heart of the province, is considered a complete heritage landmark. It was established to serve as the seat of government, the residence of the governor, and a place for teaching Sharia law. Due to the strategic location of the province, it was occasionally subjected to tribal harassment, as the tribes coveted its resources. This led the locals to establish fortresses, namely, the Fort of Falaj Al Ain, located on the outskirts of the province from the north, and the Fort of Falaj Al Malih, located on the outskirts of the province from the west. All of these fortresses are situated on the heads of the springs to prevent attackers from gaining control over the water sources of the province. The ancient defensive fortifications in the state of Adam in the Interior Governorate vary between watchtowers, dawawis, and gates at the entrances of alleys, in addition to the towers and walls surrounding the alleys of the state. The towers built with mud or Omani stone or both together are a testament to the architectural heritage of the state, where approximately 34 towers have been recorded in different areas of the state, and some of them are still standing to this day. Some of the towers include: * Rahba Tower * Majabira Tower


Cemeteries

In the state, there are many graves, the most important of which is Al-Eidain Cemetery, located east of Bani Shibban neighborhood, where Sheikh Drouish bin Jumah Al-Mahrouqi was buried. There is also Al-Aqiq Cemetery, Al-Zabar Cemetery, and Al-Sharm Cemetery.


Climate


See also

*
List of cities in Oman This is a list of cities and towns in Oman. See also * Governorates of Oman * Provinces of Oman * {{List of cities in the Middle East Cities A city is a human settlement of a substantial size. The term "city" has different mean ...


References

{{Subdivisions of Ad Dakhiliyah Governorate Populated places in Oman Ad Dakhiliyah Governorate