Muscat, Oman

Muscat مسقط
Ceety
Muscat Gate
Coordinates: 23°36′N 58°33′E
Kintra	Oman
Govrenorate	Muscat
Govrenment
• Teep	Absolute monarchy
• Sultan	Qaboos bin Said
Area
• Laund	273.9 km2 (105.8 sq mi)
• Metro	3797 km2 (1,466 sq mi)
Population  (Mey 2017)	1,560,330
• Density	450/km2 (1,200/sq mi)
• Metro	1,560,330
Time zone	UTC+4 (GST)
Website	Muscat Municipality

Muscat (Arabic: مسقط, Masqaṭ) is the caipital an lairgest ceety o Oman. It is an aa the seat o government an lairgest ceety in the Governorate o Muscat. As o 2008, the population o the Muscat metropolitan aurie wis 1,090,797. The metropolitan aurie spans approximately 1,500 km2 (580 sq mi) an includes sax wilayats. Kent syne the early 1st century AD as an important tradin port atween the wast an the east, Muscat wis ruled bi various indigenous tribes as well as foreign pouers such as the Persians an the Portuguese Empire at various points in its history. A regional military pouer in the 18t century, Muscat's influence extendit as far as East Africae an Zanzibar. As an important port-toun in the Gulf o Oman, Muscat attractit foreign tradesmen an settlers such as the Persians, the Balochis an Gujaratis. Syne the ascension o Qaboos bin Said as Sultan o Oman in 1970, Muscat haes experienced rapid infrastructural development that haes led tae the growth o a vibrant economy an a multi-ethnic society.

The rocky Wastren Al Hajar Muntains dominate the landscape o Muscat. The ceety lies on the Arabian Sea alang the Gulf o Oman an is in the proximity o the strategic Straits o Hormuz. Law-lyin white buildings typify maist o Muscat's urban landscape, while the port-destrict o Muttrah, wi its corniche an harbour, form the north-eastren periphery o the ceety. Muscat's economy is dominatit bi trade, petroleum an portin.