Abstract
Regional linkages play an important role for the small Omani exclave Musandam. They helped to establish a transnational trade network, which is today connecting various countries across the vital Strait of Hormuz. This phenomenon is of great interest for the Omani government and intensely affects the social and economical situation in Musandam, especially in the local capital Khasab. Because of the lack of available data, the author conducted his own field research to analyse this unknown phenomenon. While Musandam from some perspectives seems to be a typical exclave, it is a highly uncommon exception for various historical, geographical and political reasons. These are all changing the everyday lives of the inhabitants of Musandam, which are undergoing a fundamental transformation.
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Notes
- 1.
For Oman in the GCC see Zorob, in this volume.
- 2.
If there is no reference given in the following text, all information, interviews, photographs and observations are from this field research.
- 3.
The letters are presented in the museum of Khasab.
- 4.
Author’s conversation with Wolfgang Zimmermann in Leipzig, summer 2011.
- 5.
According to firms registered in the respective issues of the official telephone book of Musandam Governorate.
- 6.
Based on own surveys in Khasab.
- 7.
Because of its eccentric position Musandam is often excluded from considerations on Oman (cf., for example, the calculations by Mokhtar, in this volume).
- 8.
Based on own surveys in Khasab.
- 9.
For the process of littoralization in Oman in general, see Mokhtar, in this volume.
- 10.
The designated successor was accused to support the smuggling of sanctioned goods to Iran, because these goods pass Ras al-Khaimah on their way to Khasab.
- 11.
On the concept of transloacity, see Bromber and Verne and Müller-Mahn, in this volume.
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Benz, M. (2013). Musandam and Its Trade with Iran. Regional Linkages Across the Strait of Hormuz. In: Wippel, S. (eds) Regionalizing Oman. United Nations University Series on Regionalism, vol 6. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-6821-5_12
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