Designed for outdoor enthusiasts, the Field Guide to the Wild Plants of Oman will also be valued by those with more specialised botanical interests. The short introduction provides an insight into Oman's geography and environmental diversity. The main sections cover 250 common species, and each account is enhanced by fascinating colour photographs which enable quick identification. For ease of use, plants are grouped according to the colour of their most conspicuous feature, usually flowers, with additional sections for trees and grasses. Within each colour group they are organised alphabetically by botanical family. A short description gives details of appearance, habitat, uses and worldwide distribution. The addition of a glossary of botanical terms, a bibliography and indexes of scientific and vernacular names, make this an invaluable reference for anyone with an interest in the fascinating flora of Oman.

The geology of Oman is spectacular - for the touristic layman and the geologist alike. Exceptionally well exposed rocks offer a fascinating outcrop experience, second to none. The scenery is unique, and often breathtaking. The Samail Ophiolite (former sea floor you can walk on), mountain ranges, of more than 3000 m altitude, and deeply incised canyons with turquoise-coloured perennial streams, contrast with dry but golden sand deserts. Coastal areas with kilometres of white beaches are waiting to be discovered. This geological guidebook has two parts: The first provides a general introduction to the geology of Oman, and enables the reader to put the variety of geological phenomena and observations into a scientific context. The authors emphasise describing the processes that led to the formation of Oman's rocks and landscapes formed over millennia of Earth history. Following the introductory chapters on archaeology, climate, and vegetation, the geomorphological and geological aspects of Oman are presented. The second and largest part of the guide consists of meticulous descriptions of 99 excursion points located across the northeast of the country. The challenge in Oman is to decide where not to stop, rather than the other way round. The authors, therefore, have carefully selected the most interesting and important sites. The excursion points can easily be located by their coordinates, or may also be visited using the detailed roadmaps provided for each single outcrop. A large number of colour illustrations, a geological overview map, an index, and a list of references complete the content of the guide. As the book is written in a textbook style and presents the geology in a comprehensible way, a broad understanding is facilitated. Therefore, this field guide not only addresses geologists but also amateurs, visitors and travellers exploring the beauty and the significance of Oman geology.

"A Field Guide to Tropical Plants of Asia is an excellent companion for the traveler, backpacker, plant hobbyist, or botanist interested in learning about tropical plants, whether studying them in Indonesian rain forests or the glass houses of an American botanical garden. More than 300 color photos--both close-ups and habitat shots--accompany the listings and provide a key piece of the identification process.

The Hajar Mountains rise up from the great central deserts of the Arabian plateau - the so-called Empty Quarter - and then look down to the coastal plain that runs into the waters of the Gulf of Oman. Beautiful and remote, often almost entirely inaccessible, these harsh rocky slopes with their breathtaking views of Oman are largely unexplored. Wilderness Trekking in Oman is a practical guide for hiking in the Western Hajar, following some 200km of mountain trails. Meticulously researched and presented with detailed original cartography, this comprehensive guide is the key to discovering a remarkable landscape. The mountain traverse follows the spine of the mountains in a point-to-point walk taking sixteen days which can be broken down into eight one-day walks, two two-day walks, and one four-day walk. There is a road intersection with a village or hotel between each of these eleven sections. The traverse climbs to the highest accessible peak in the country at 2999m and finishes in remote dry valleys, called wadis, where impregnable cliffs have precluded road construction and electricity transmission. This has preserved the Arabian mountain lifestyle that has existed for centuries. ? This book describes where to go, what to carry, where to sleep, and, most importantly, where to find drinking water. Some hikers may choose to be supported by friends meeting them in a 4WD vehicle at road intersections marking the end of each section. For their benefit, this book includes excursions at eight of these ten rendezvous points. There are other possibilities for resupply at all ten road intersections. Digital data for download comprises GPS tracks, waypoints, kmz map files, and PDF files of each chapter. A folded 1:50,000 map covering 607km of side tracks and the traverse can be purchased separately. Hikers who have completed part or all of this traverse are invited to post reviews on social media accessible from www.hajarhiking. com, where there are historical photographs and video recorded on parts of this traverse in 1992 when there was only one road in the entire mountain range.