Masqat, 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 Once the country's leading port, Masqat has been superseded by a new port (1974) at Mina Qaboos.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 Fahl, 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 (1993) 622,506.
