Oman proper refers to a historical area within the present-day Sultanate of Oman.

It lies inland from Muscat beyond the Jebel Akhdar (Green Mountains) and is centered on the city of Nizwa in the area of the current region of Ad Dakhiliyah.

Along with Muscat and Dhofar, it is a constituent part of the Sultanate of Muscat and Oman.

Oman proper is ruled by Ibadite imams who exercise spiritual and often temporal authority over the region.

The Imamate is a thousand-year-old system of government pioneered by the Ibadi religious leaders of Oman, and is based upon the Islamic sharia.

It governs parts or the whole of Oman and other lands for interrupted periods of time for over 1000 years.