Muscat

Muscat is the capital city of the Sultanate of Oman and its largest city. It is situated on the southeast coast of the Arabian Peninsula and serves as the main commercial port for the Omani people, who have had a historical association with the sea. According to data from 2014, the total population of the city was 1,208,114, with 464,236 of them being Omanis. The city covers an area of 3,500 square kilometers. Muscat hosted the 2010 Asian Beach Games.

Naming and History of Muscat:

Before falling under Portuguese rule in 1507, Muscat was not known as a significant settlement. It was described by Ibn Al-Faqih as a "beautiful coastal city with abundant fruits," and he mentioned that ships traveling to India and China used to take water from this port. Ibn Al-Mujawir, an Arab sailor and geographer from the 13th century, also mentioned Muscat as a frequent destination for ships in the region. The city's importance emerged in the early 16th century when the Portuguese arrived in the area. With the presence of the Strait of Hormuz allowing access to the Arabian Gulf, Muscat's significance grew. Piri Reis occupied the city in 1552 and incorporated it into the Ottoman territories due to his dominance over the Arabian Gulf and the Indian trade route. However, the Portuguese quickly regained control of the city and built two castles, Jalali and Mirani, to protect the city's port from possible Turkish raids.

The city started to develop economically and in infrastructure when Sultan Qaboos unified Oman and Muscat in 1970, establishing the Sultanate of Oman.

Location of Muscat:

Muscat is located in the northeastern part of Oman. The Tropic of Cancer passes through the southern part of the city. The western part of the Al Hajar Mountains dominates the view of Muscat. The city is surrounded by the Gulf of Oman to the north and northwest. Muscat has two main ports, Muscat Port and Muttrah.

Climate of Muscat:

Muscat experiences a hot desert climate with a long, very hot summer and a warm winter. The average annual rainfall is around 90-100 mm, mainly occurring between December and April. However, in recent years, heavy tropical-origin rains have occurred in the Gulf of Oman. The climate is generally very hot, with temperatures ranging between 30 and 40 degrees Celsius in summer. Humidity ranges between 40-60%.

Top Tourist Attractions in Muscat:

• Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque
• Bait Al Zubair
• Muttrah Souq
• Al Jalali Fort
• Al Mirani Fort
• Royal Opera House Muscat
• Al Alam Palace
• National Museum
• Al Riyam Park
• Bandar Al Rowdha Marina