Liwa, Oman

Liwa (Arabic: لوى) is a Wilayah (Province) in the Al Batinah North Governorate of Oman. It lies north of Sohar and has a lively market place where local produce and fresh fish are sold. Liwa is approximately 277 kilometers from the capital Muscat and the second state way from UAE north border. As of 2020, it had a population of 18,321.^[2]

Liwa لوى
Wilayah
The beach of the village of Harmul, located in Liwa.
Liwa Location In Oman Show map of Oman Liwa Liwa (Middle East) Show map of Middle East Liwa Liwa (West and Central Asia) Show map of West and Central Asia
Coordinates: 24.51°N 56.57°E / 24.51; 56.57
Country	Oman
Governorate	Al Batinah North Governorate
Population  (2020)[1]
• Total	18,321
Time zone	UTC+4 (+4)

Etymology

Liwa in Arabic derives from the word for "swirl," and the province was allegedly named Liwa because the fronds of palm trees swirled around its central fort. In another interpretation, it was said it was attributed to the gathering of military banners due to the many wars fought there, as it was a place where many armies met.^[3]

History

Liwa is home to many historical landmarks, especially forts, witht he most famous one being Liwa Fort. The fort is located on a hill in the middle of the province, and contains five towers and a small castle in the middle known as Al-Qasaba. Historically, this fort was regarded as the center of Liwa province, and the headquarters of the mayor and local administration. Liwa also includes a number of tourist attractions represented in a number of water springs, streams, and caves, such as Al Azm water spring. There is also Abu Kahf Mountain, where the most famous caves in Liwa lie.^[2]

It also has a number of historic mosques, the most important of which is the Mosque of Imam Al-Rabi' bin Habib, one of the scholars of Oman who grew up in the village of Ghadfan in the Wilayat.