Muscat, Oman

مسقط Muscat

Muscat is the Capital and largest city of Oman. It is also the seat of government and largest city in the Governotte of Muscat. As of 2008, the population of the Muscat metropolitan area was 1,090,797. The metropolitan area spans approximately 1500 km² and includes six wilagats. Known since the early 1st century CE as an important trading port between the west and the east, Muscat was ruled by various indigenous tribes as well as foreign powers such as the and the

at various points in its history. A regional military power in the 18th century, Muscat's influence extended as far as East Afreca. As an important port-town in the Gulf of Oman, Muscat attracted foreign tradesmen and settlers such as the Persians. Since the ascension of Qaboos bin said Sultan Oman in 1970, Muscat has experienced rapid infrastructural development that has led to the growth of a vibrant economy and a multi-ethnic society.

The rockydominate the landscape of Muscat. The city lies on the Aarab sea along the Gulf of Oman and is in the proximity of the strategic. Low-lying white buildings typify most of Muscat's urban landscape, while the , with its and harbour, form the north-eastern periphery of the city. Muscat's economy is dominated by trade, petroleum and porting.

Muscat harbour, ca. 1903. Visible in the background is Fort Al Jalali.
Theconquerorattacked Muscat in July, 1507. A bloody battle ensued between the Portuguese and forces loyal to the Persian governor of the city. After the fall of the town, Albuquerque massacred most of the remaining inhabitants – men, women and children, following which the town was occupied and pillaged. The Portuguese maintained a hold on Muscat for over a century, despite challenges from and a bombardment of the town by thein 1546. The Turks twice captured Muscat from the Portuguese, in 1552 and 1581-88. The election of Nasir bin Murshid al-Yaribi as Imam of Oman in 1624 changed the balance of power again in the region, from the Persians and the Portuguese to local Omanis. On 1688 the Imam dispatched an army to Muscat, which captured and demolished the high towers of the Portuguese, weakening their grip over the town. Decisively, in 1650, a small but determined body of the Imam's troops attacked the port at night, forcing an eventual Portuguese surrender on 1650 .A civilian war, and repeated incursions by the Persian king Shah .in the 18th century destabilised the region, and further strained relations between the interior and Muscat. This power vacuum in Oman led to the emergence of thedynasty, which has ruled Oman ever since.

The National Bank Of Oman on Muscat Bank Street
Muscat's economy, like that of Oman, is dominated by trade. The more traditional exports of the city included , and fish. Many of the of Muttrah sell these items and traditional i artefacts. (PDO) has been central to Muscat's economy since at least 1962 and is the country's second largest employer, after the government. PDO's major shareholders include , Total, and Partex and its production is estimated to be about 720,000 barrels per day (114,000 m³/d). Muscat also has major trading companies such as Suhail Bahwan, which is a trading partner for corporations such as ,; Saud Bahwan Group whose trading partners areand and Zubair Automotive whose trading partners include and brands such as Dodge. The private Health Care sector of Muscat,Oman has numerous hospitals and clinics.



The Zawawi Moque in Al Khuwair, Muscat. A majority of Omanis are Muslm
According to the 2003 conducted by the Oman Ministry of National Economy, the population of Muscat is over 630,000, which included 370,000 males and 260,000 femalesMuscat formed the second largest governorate in the country, after , accounting for 27% of the total population of Oman. As of 2003,constituted 60% of the total population of Muscat, while expatriates accounted for about 40%. Theof the city was 162.1

Geography

Muscat's rugged terrain, with plutonic Western AHajar dotting the landscape








Muscat's rugged terrain, with plutonid western AHajar dotting the landscape

Sultan Qaboos bin Said Palace in Muscat

Muscat's naval and military supremacy was re-established in the 19th century by , said bin sultan who gained control over eventually moving his kingdom there. During the second half of the 19th century, the fortunes of the Al Bu Sa`id declined and friction with the Imams of the interior resurfaced. Muscat and were attacked by tribals from the interior in 1895 and again in 1915. A tentative ceasefire was brokered by theBritish, which gave the interior more autonomy.