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White and beige buildings of Muscat, Oman, fill the foreground with rugged brown mountains rising in the background under a clear blue sky. Map highlighting Muscat, the national capital of Oman, on the southeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula. Surrounding countries such as Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen are labeled, as well as nearby bodies of water including the Arabian Sea, Persian Gulf, and Gulf of Oman. An inset globe in the upper left shows the region's location within Europe, Africa, and Asia. Al-Jalali Fort, a large stone fortress, sits atop a rocky hill overlooking the blue harbor waters of Old Muscat, Oman, with white buildings and mountains nearby. Muscat, Oman: Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque Royal Oman Police White buildings with domes and a tall minaret line the Muttrah Corniche waterfront in Muscat, Oman, with mountains in the background and lights reflecting on the water at dusk. Muscat, Oman
Oman's ancient irrigation systems: Supporting life in a desert
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Arabic:
Masqaṭ
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White and beige buildings of Muscat, Oman, fill the foreground with rugged brown mountains rising in the background under a clear blue sky.
Muscat, Oman

Muscat

national capital, Oman
Also known as: Masqaṭ
Written and fact-checked by
Britannica Editors
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....
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Muscat, town, capital of Oman, located on the Gulf of Oman coast. The town long gave its name to the country, which was called Muscat and Oman until 1970.

Map highlighting Muscat, the national capital of Oman, on the southeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula. Surrounding countries such as Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen are labeled, as well as nearby bodies of water including the Arabian Sea, Persian Gulf, and Gulf of Oman. An inset globe in the upper left shows the region's location within Europe, Africa, and Asia.
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Muscat, Oman
Al-Jalali Fort, a large stone fortress, sits atop a rocky hill overlooking the blue harbor waters of Old Muscat, Oman, with white buildings and mountains nearby.
2 of 2
Muscat, Oman: harborOld Portuguese fort in Muscat harbor, Oman.

Situated on a cove surrounded by volcanic mountains, the town is connected by road to the west and the south. In 1508 the Portuguese gained control of Muscat and the adjacent coast. Until driven out in 1650, they maintained a trading post and naval base there. Two 16th-century Portuguese forts overlook the town. Muscat’s old wall still stands, as well as some of its gates.

Muscat, Oman: Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque
Muscat, Oman: Sultan Qaboos Grand MosqueThe Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, Muscat, Oman.

The town’s unusual architecture shows Arab, Portuguese, Persian, Indian, African, and modern Western influences. The sultan’s Indian-style palace is built at the edge of the sea. Muscat is the site of a national museum. Commercial activity is centred on Maṭraḥ, just to the west. Pop. (2003) 24,893; urban agglom., 632,073.

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