Geographic Context

Understanding the boundaries and extent of the Barka urban area as defined by the Global Human Settlement Layer Urban Center Database.

50,995

Population (2020)

3 km²

Built-up area (2020)

Defining the urban area

In this context, Barka refers to the continuously built-up urban area with population density ≥ 1,500 people/km², independent of administrative boundaries. We use the Global Human Settlement Layer Urban Center Database (GHS-UCDB) to define boundaries. See the corresponding area shaded below.

Urban extent map

Barka geographic map

Administrative context

Country
Oman
Region
Al Batinah South
City
Barka

Data sources

GHS-UCDB R2024A

Global Human Settlement Layer Urban Centre Database. Provides population, built-up area, and boundary definitions for urban centers worldwide.

OpenStreetMap

Street network data used to compute the Street Network Disconnectedness Index (SNDi).

Why use urban centers?

Using consistently defined urban center boundaries allows meaningful comparison across cities and countries, regardless of how local administrative boundaries are drawn. This means Barka can be compared to any other city in the world on equal terms.