Oman is a quiet prosperous, modern and progressive Arab sultanate where life has settled into a quiet place in the Middle East. Little is heard of it in the modern world except as a peaceful land of rugged beauty and friendly people. It is ruled by a benevolent Sultan who since his reign began in 1970 has brought the country into the modern era with increased education, health care, business enterprise a moderate form of Islam, which quietly tolerates a closeted gay community. Prior to 1975 the country was distressed with internal tribal warfare. In the 18th century the Omani Sultanate territories stretched all the way from Pakistan to Tanzania.