Ibri belongs to the Dhahira region in Oman and is also one of the sites of the country’s earliest human habitation. Today, Ibri has over 100,000 inhabitants and is also the regional capital. Ibri has long been a strategic crossroad between Oman and the other Gulf states as it lies in almost equal distance to Muscat, Dubai and Abu Dhabi (between 220 and 250 km) as well as between Nizwa in the Omani hinterland and Sohar on the Omani Gulf coast (both less than two hours’ drive from Ibri). Given its strategic location, Ibri has a long history as a trade route for caravans, hence its name which means “point of transit”.
Due to its proximity to the “Empty Quarter”, the world’s largest sand desert, Ibri has a desert climate with very low humidity. During the winter months from November through March Ibri enjoys cool and agreeable weather with temperatures between 18 and 30 degree Celsius (low 60s to mid 80s, Fahrenheit), which at times can even drop to a comparatively chilly 10 degrees. There might be some rainfall in February and March. However, during the season when the dates are harvested, from April to October, temperatures can reach 30 to 45 degrees with only very rare rainfall.
Ibri boasts a number of historic sites, most prominent among them is the 400-year old Ibri fort with its famous gates known as “Sabahat”, located right beside the well-preserved old suq of Ibri. Inside the fort there is an old mosque where daily and Friday congregational prayers used to be held. Among the archeologically interesting sites near Ibri is the UNESCO World Heritage site of Bat with its prehistoric beehive tombs.
Ibri’s suq is one of the largest and most important ones in the Dhahira region and Oman. It once served as an important hub for the trading caravans of the past. Today it is still lively, animated throughout the week when local produce, ready-made goods and livestock are bought and sold. Another feature of the Ibri suq is its beautiful traditional Arabic-Islamic architecture.