Muscat

Muscat, Maskat, or Masqat (all: mŭs`kăt, mŭs`kət), city (1993 pop. 533,774), capital of Oman, SE Arabia, on the Gulf of Oman. It is flanked by rugged mountains. Muscat, which has a fine harbor, was seized by the Portuguese Afonso de Albuquerque in 1508 and kept by Portugal until 1648. Persian princes held it until 1741, when it became the capital of Oman. Dates, dried fish, mother-of-pearl, and frankincense are exported, although much of Muscat's trade has been taken over by neighboring Matrah, which has better land communications.

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Muscat

 or Masqat

City (pop., 2003: city, 24,769; urban agglom., 638,000), capital of Oman, located on the Gulf of Oman. Situated on a cove surrounded by volcanic mountains, it came under Persian control in the 6th century BC, and Islam was introduced into the region in the 7th century AD. The Portuguese gained control in 1508 and made Muscat a trading post and naval base until they were expelled in 1650. Held again by the Persians (1650–1741), it later became part of the sultanate of Oman. Two 16th-century Portuguese forts overlook the city; the sultan's Indian-style palace is built at the edge of the sea.