Muscat is the capital and largest city in the Sultanate of Oman. The city of Muscat has an estimated population of 900,000 residents. Muscat is one of the oldest cities in the Middle East. Muscat has seen an explosion of infrastructure development and urbanization, and, as has been the case in so may other cities worldwide, towns which were once distinct have been subsumed within the sprawling growth of the city's expanding metropolitan area. The first foreign presence in Muscat was in the form of the Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama, who landed in Oman on his way to India. The coup, staged by Prince Qaboos, with his friend Tim Landon, was the beginning of a new consolidated, modern sultanate. Sultan Qaboos bin Said started land and social reforms, and ruled Oman with a liberal vision that saw the an overall upgrading in educational standards, cultural and economic development and overall fuse of the Sultanate.
One of the historical landmarks you should visit
is the Al Jalali Fort. It was built in the 16th century by the Portuguese, and
has stood ever since. Or the Mirani Fort, which is another favorite of tourist
in this area.
There are also a few parks, museums and monuments to see in Muscat. So if
you get a chance go see the Omani Heritage Gallery, Bait Al-Zubair museum,
Al-Riyam Park, or the Watchtower monument. All these places will give you a true
taste of Oman, and the city of Muscat.