An important trading port between the east and west since the 1st century CE, Muscat is both the capital and largest city of the Sultanate of Oman. Located on the Arabian Sea it was ruled by various factions including both the Persians and the Portuguese Empire. Its power as a regional military force extends back to the 18th century. Since the ascension of its current Sultan, Qaboos bin Said, in 1970 Muscat has developed rapidly leading to a stimulated economy and a diverse, multi-ethnic population. The landscape is dominated by the Western Al Hajar Mountains and the economy is driven mostly by petroleum, trade and its port facilities. Ethnically, Muscat has always been a hybrid of people not native to the Arabian Peninsula. Hindu temples existed in Muscat as far back as 1760 and Christianity is thought to have been spread by the Portuguese as early as the beginning of the 16th century. Although Arabic is the predominant language of the city, English, Balochi, Swahili and South Asian languages such as Hindi and Urdu are spoken. Islam is the predominant religion in the city and while non-Muslims are allowed to practice their religion, they are discouraged from proselytizing publicly or distributing religious literature. This religious tolerance is indicated by the presence of two Hindu temples, several Christian churches located in a multi-denominational compound in
Ruwi, including the Catholic church of Saints Peter and Paul. On July 23, 1970, Sultan
Qaboos bin Said staged a bloodless coup in the Salalah palace with the assistance of the British, took over from his father as ruler, and put an end to the Dhofar uprising which had threatened the area since 1962. He consolidated the differing tribal territories in an attempt to end to the interior's isolation from Muscat.
Port Sultan is located on the coast of the Gulf of Oman, on the Tropic of Cancer, 250km S of the Strait of Hormuz on the Indian Ocean coast of the Arabian Peninsula. The city lies on the
Arabian Sea along the Gulf of Oman and is in the proximity of the strategic
Straits of Hormuz. Low-lying white buildings typify most of Muscat's urban landscape, while the
port-district of
Muttrah, with its
corniche (Arabic: cliff) and harbor, form the north-eastern periphery of the city. Muscat's economy is dominated by trade, petroleum and porting.
Salalah, Oman
Modern Oman is home to the Port of Salalah; its location makes it a major entry point to India, the Middle East, and Africa. Salalah is the capital and seat of the governor or Wali of the southern Omani province of Dhofar. It is the second largest town in the Sultanate of Oman and a traditional stronghold and birthplace of the Sultan Qaboos bin Said. The Sultan traditionally lives in Salalah rather than in Muscat, the capital and largest city in Oman. Salalah, despite lying in the Arabian desert, enjoys a temperate climate through most of the year. The town is also subjected to the southeast monsoons between late June and early September. Visitors from across the Persian Gulf flock to Salalah to enjoy the monsoons and avoid the harsh heat faced by the rest of the region during the same period. Also in this period, the town’s population nearly doubles. The town has a large expatriate community, mainly from India, as well as a private Indian school, known as Indian School Salalah. The city of Salalah is known as the perfume capital of Arabia. The city is a popular destination for tourism due to the natural attractions of the Jabal al Qar mountains and abundant stands of frankincense trees lining mountain stream courses. Around the city and into the mountains the countryside is lush and green with the vegetation supporting herds of cattle. Salalah is a city of antiquity, boasting the ruins of a palace reputed to have belonged to the Queen of Sheba and the resting place of the biblical prophet Job in the nearby Jabal al Qar. It is also the alleged resting place of Nabi Imran, father of the Virgin Mary.
An important trading port between the east and west since the 1st century CE, Muscat is both the capital and largest city of the Sultanate of Oman. Located on the Arabian Sea it was ruled by various factions including both the Persians and the Portuguese Empire. Its power as a regional military force extends back to the 18th century. Since the ascension of its current Sultan, Qaboos bin Said, in 1970 Muscat has developed rapidly leading to a stimulated economy and a diverse, multi-ethnic population. The landscape is dominated by the Western Al Hajar Mountains and the economy is driven mostly by petroleum, trade and its port facilities. Ethnically, Muscat has always been a hybrid of people not native to the Arabian Peninsula. Hindu temples existed in Muscat as far back as 1760 and Christianity is thought to have been spread by the Portuguese as early as the beginning of the 16th century. Although Arabic is the predominant language of the city, English, Balochi, Swahili and South Asian languages such as Hindi and Urdu are spoken. Islam is the predominant religion in the city and while non-Muslims are allowed to practice their religion, they are discouraged from proselytizing publicly or distributing religious literature. This religious tolerance is indicated by the presence of two Hindu temples, several Christian churches located in a multi-denominational compound in Ruwi, including the Catholic church of Saints Peter and Paul. On July 23, 1970, Sultan Qaboos bin Said staged a bloodless coup in the Salalah palace with the assistance of the British, took over from his father as ruler, and put an end to the Dhofar uprising which had threatened the area since 1962. He consolidated the differing tribal territories in an attempt to end to the interior's isolation from Muscat.
Port Sultan is located on the coast of the Gulf of Oman, on the Tropic of Cancer, 250km S of the Strait of Hormuz on the Indian Ocean coast of the Arabian Peninsula. The city lies on the Arabian Sea along the Gulf of Oman and is in the proximity of the strategic Straits of Hormuz. Low-lying white buildings typify most of Muscat's urban landscape, while the port-district of Muttrah, with its corniche (Arabic: cliff) and harbor, form the north-eastern periphery of the city. Muscat's economy is dominated by trade, petroleum and porting.
Salalah, Oman
Modern Oman is home to the Port of Salalah; its location makes it a major entry point to India, the Middle East, and Africa. Salalah is the capital and seat of the governor or Wali of the southern Omani province of Dhofar. It is the second largest town in the Sultanate of Oman and a traditional stronghold and birthplace of the Sultan Qaboos bin Said. The Sultan traditionally lives in Salalah rather than in Muscat, the capital and largest city in Oman. Salalah, despite lying in the Arabian desert, enjoys a temperate climate through most of the year. The town is also subjected to the southeast monsoons between late June and early September. Visitors from across the Persian Gulf flock to Salalah to enjoy the monsoons and avoid the harsh heat faced by the rest of the region during the same period. Also in this period, the town’s population nearly doubles. The town has a large expatriate community, mainly from India, as well as a private Indian school, known as Indian School Salalah. The city of Salalah is known as the perfume capital of Arabia. The city is a popular destination for tourism due to the natural attractions of the Jabal al Qar mountains and abundant stands of frankincense trees lining mountain stream courses. Around the city and into the mountains the countryside is lush and green with the vegetation supporting herds of cattle. Salalah is a city of antiquity, boasting the ruins of a palace reputed to have belonged to the Queen of Sheba and the resting place of the biblical prophet Job in the nearby Jabal al Qar. It is also the alleged resting place of Nabi Imran, father of the Virgin Mary.
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