Muscat Overview

Muscat, the capital city of the Sultanate of Oman, is the largest city with a population of six lacs as per the census of 2005. The city located at the edge of the Arabian peninsula is remarkably green with the main streets lined by trees and traffic circles decorated by beautiful flowers that make the so called desert a green valley.

History of Muscat: Muscat is one of the oldest cities in the Middle East finding its origin in the second century AD. It was situated very close to the main trading center near the Dhofar region. Vasco da gama the first of the foreigners who landed in Oman during his voyage to India. The Portuguese, however, stepped in to take a control over Muscat in 1507 only to be driven out in 1649 by Imam Sultan Bin Saif. However the Persians took over the control in 1737 due to the internal strife that had weakened them.

Muscat which is located at the edge of the Arabian Peninsula comprises of three major towns - Muscat, Matruh and Ruwi. However, the distance between these towns are pretty long. There is plenty of things to do and see in and around Muscat. The Population of Muscat presents a mixed one comprising of Arabs, the Banians from Western India, Beloochees from Makran, Abyssinians, Somali, Nubians and Persians.

There is plenty on offer for Tourism in Muscat as such a considerably large number of tourists from different countries of the world visit the place. There is large number Attractions in Muscat which is an oasis for the tourists in the desert hence tourism is one of the main source of revenue to a country with a healthy economy. The politics centers around the Sultan, who has given Oman with its first written constitution with a clear division of powers. The sultan is assisted by a cabinet that consists of 26 members appointed by Sultan Qaboos who is the reigning monarch. It is more like a monarchial democracy.

Arabic is the most widely spoken Language of Muscat and is also the official language. Since the place is inhabited by a mixed group of people English is used as a common language of communication. Travelers in Muscat must be aware that the currency of Oman is the Omani Rial.