Oman – December 2nd, 2012
This image shows the coastal part of the Dhofar Governorate, in Southern Oman, on the eastern border with Yemen. It is a rather mountainous area that covers 99,300 km2 (38,300 sq mi).
Dhofar is directly exposed to the South East monsoon from mid-June to mid-September. As a result, it has a lush green climate during the monsoon season and for sometime after until the vegetation loses its moisture. Dhofar’s temporarily wet climate contrasts sharply with the neighboring barren Empty Quarter Desert.
The largest city, as well as capital of the Governorate is Salalah, located by the coast near the image center. Here, a plume of dust extends over Salalah, off the coast, and over the Arabian Sea.
