Muscat
Masqat or Muscat, city, capital of Oman, on the Gulf
of Oman (an arm of the Arabian Sea). Flanked by mountains,
it is the nation's chief administrative center and largest
city. Modern highways, built in the 1970s, link Masqat
with other Omani centers and with the neighboring United
Arab Emirates. A palace for the sultan of Oman, also
built in the 1970s, dominates the waterfront. Once the
country's leading port, Masqat has been superseded by
a new port (1974) at Mina Qaboos. Mina’ al Fa?l,
a loading terminal for supertankers, and Riyam, through
which refined petroleum is imported, are also nearby,
as is a modern international airport.
Masqat has been important since the 6th century bc,
when Persians controlled the port. It was under Portuguese
domination from 1508 to 1650, and subsequently the Iranians
gained control of the city. Masqat became the capital
of Oman in the late 18th century; the country's name
was changed to Oman in 1970. Population (1995 estimate)
635,000.
Batinah Coast
Oman's northern coast easily deserves a good two or
three days. Most of the towns feature stunning forts,
each different enough to warrant seeing. Some 175km
(108mi) west of Muscat, Rustaq is best known for its
imposing fort, though for a time in the Middle Ages
it was Oman's capital.
Barka, just west of Muscat, has a fort and a restored
house showing how wealthier Omanis lived many years
ago. Inland, the town of Nakhal, with its dramatic fort,
leads to the lush spring known as A'Thorwarah, which
emerges into a wadi here to form a stream and small
oasis - perfect for a picnic.
Nizwa
Nizwa has recently emerged from centuries of fierce
religious conservatives as one of Oman's major tourist
centres. Nizwa's fort is quite a looker and was built
in the mid-17th century by Sultan bin Saif, the first
imam of the Al-Ya'ribi dynasty.
For the next 300 years it was the primary seat of the
imamate, serving as a combination palace, seat of government
and prison. The town's other great attraction is its
souk which, despite having been moved into more 'modern'
quarters, retains much of its colour and vitality.
Salalah
Zafar had its heyday around a millenium ago when it
was an active trading port. A striking change from Muscat,
Salalah is about the only corner of Arabia that catches
the Indian summer monsoon, and it's also the best base
for exploring the villages and archaeological sites
of southern Oman.
Numismaticists will have a field day as coins from
as far away as China have been found at the site. There
are very good beaches all along the road to Mughsail,
once you're about 5km (3mi) west of Salalah, near the
ruins of Al-Balid, site of the ancient city of Zafar.
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