alHajar

Al-Hajar, also transliterated as Al-Hajar or Hajar, is Arabic for "the stone" and commonly refers to the Hajar Mountains, a major range in the eastern Arabian Peninsula. The mountains extend through Oman and the United Arab Emirates and stretch into parts of northern Saudi Arabia. The term captures the rugged, rock-dominated terrain that characterizes the region.

Geography and geology: The Hajar run roughly 700 kilometers from the Musandam Peninsula in the north to central Oman. Notable peaks include Jebel Shams, at about 3,009 meters, and Jebel Akhdhar (Green Mountain). The range forms a climatic barrier between the Gulf of Oman coastal plain and the interior deserts. Geologically, it contains portions of the Semail Ophiolite, representing oceanic crust that was obducted onto the Arabian Plate during the late Mesozoic to early Cenozoic.

Ecology: High elevations host montane juniper woodlands; lower slopes harbor wadis, shrubs, and endemic plant communities. The range supports a variety of wildlife, including ibex and the endangered Arabian tahr; migratory birds use canyon valleys as stopovers.

History and culture: The Hajar has long served as a corridor for trade and travel between the coast and interior settlements. Today, towns such as Nizwa and Sur lie at its foothills, and the mountains are a focus for trekking, canyoning and ecotourism. Conservation initiatives and protected areas aim to preserve its landscapes and biodiversity.