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Governorate of Muscat is situated on the Gulf of Oman at the south part of Al Batinah coast. It is confined between Gulf of Oman and the mountains of AI Hajr Al Sharyi. The Governorate is the most populous area of the Sultanate. The average density exceeds 24 times the average population density in the Sultanate.
The Governorate consists of six wilayats: Muscat, Muttrah,Bowshar, A’Seeb, Al Amerat and Quriyat. Muscat is the capital of the Sultanate and the headquarters and the administrative apparatus of the state.
Wilayats
Wilayat Muscat: Muscat has nine villages attached to it, these being Sidab, Haramel, Al Bustan, Al Jussa, Qantab, Yankat, Yiti, Al Khayran Al Sifa and Sifat Al Sheikh.
Wilayat Muttrah: It is said that the name Muttrah (a place to throw something down) comes from the presence of an anchorage for ships (i.e "throw down the anchor").
Another interpretation of the name is as of a place to "unload or put down goods or merchandise."
The Wilayat of Muttrah is counted amongst the most important of the six Wilayats in Muscat Governorate, on account of its ancient historical and cultural standing; for it was Oman's ancient trading port and its suq was the principal source of the many and diverse goods relayed from the port to the other suqs of Oman. It is said that it was once also a fertile spot much cultivated with date palms and other trees, watered by aflaj and sweetwater wells from which the citizens, orchards and visiting ships were supplied.
Wilayat A'Seeb: The Wilayat incorporates a number of sites of historical interest, the most significant of these being the citadel of Al Khodh, Jifnin, Raseel, Al Kharas and Al Saleel Towers as well as the towers of Wadi Al Haya. It has two walls, one of which, Sur Jimma, proved useful in the defence of the township of Wadi Al Lawami 200 years ago. The second, Sur Al Rawia, known as Beit Al Rawia or Al Rawia House, consists of six chambers and a liwan. It was built some 150 years ago.
Beit Al Awad or Al Awad House is at Al Khodh. Founded in 1886 AD, it has a floor area of 1,200 sq. metres. Wilayat Al Seeb has around 140 mosques.
Wilayat Quriyat: The Wilayat has 29 villages and towns, including the town of Quriyat itself. These are Al Hajer, Al Wasta, Al Ma'ala, Al Jinan, AI Sahel Al Ainein, Killiat, Affa', Al Kerib, Al Ramla, Al Makhasrat, Al Shahbari, Dhaher Muhaisa, Hail Al Ghaf, Al Masfaa and the Municipalities of Daghmar, Mazar'ia Al Abraiyeen, Al Misfa'ah, Al Hiytan and Al Abayaa.
Wilayat Al Amerat: The Wilayat of Al Amerat with its 81 mosques was known in the past as Al Fatah and elsewhere as Al Mutahadamat, until the transformations of the Renaissance period brought with them a new and more appropriate name. This Wilayat has both archaeological and tourist landmarks, the most noteworthy of which are the lead mines, the red ochre quarry, Beit Saharij, Wadi Sireen Nature Preserve, Wadi Al Meeh (Al Lajam) the Ghar Hadhadha Cave, the steep zigzag incline of Jebel Saqif and the Safah Al Bab well at the fool of the mountain .
Wilayat Bowsher: Situated between the sea and the mountains south west of Muttrah, its population is 149,506 persons spread over its 43 towns and villages. The most noteworthy of these are: Al Khoweir, Sultan Qaboos City, Al Ghubra, Al Adheeba, Ghala, Al Aa'lam (Information City), Al Sarooj, Bowshar Al Qadima (Old Bowshar) Bowshar Bani Umran, Al Ansab Sanab, Al Hamam, Al Awabi and Al Misfah.
Tourist Attractions
- Jalali Fort
- Mirani Fort
- Grand Mosque
- Bandar Jissah
- Muscat Gate House Museum
- Ream Park
- Kalbou Beach Park
- Quriyat Lake Park
- The Beit Al Kebir (Great House)
- The Omani Museum
- Bait al Zubair
- The Omani French Museum
How to get to Governorate of Muscat
- By Air: Muscat International Airport, located in Muscat, is served by many international airlines such as British Airways, KLM, Kuwait Airways, Swiss Air and Emirates. The national carrier is Oman Air which flies to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), India, Pakistan, Qatar, Egypt, and Sri Lanka as well as performing domestic flights to Salalah, Masirah Island and Musandam.
- By Car: Residents in the UAE are able to drive to Muscat by road. It is a journey of around 4 - 5 hours from Dubai.
Other important information
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Weather averages for Muscat
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Month
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Jan
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Feb
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Mar
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Apr
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May
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Jun
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Jul
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Aug
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Sep
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Oct
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Nov
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Dec
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Average high °C(°F)
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25
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26
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29
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34
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39
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40
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38
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36
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35
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34
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30
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27
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Average low °C (°F)
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17
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18
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20
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24
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29
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30
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30
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28
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27
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24
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21
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18
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Hotels in Muscat
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Hotel name
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Telephone
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Shangri-La’s Barr Al Jissah
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968 24776666
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Al Bustan Palace Hotel
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968 24799666
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Grand Hyatt Muscat
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968 24641234
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InterContinental Muscat
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968 24680000
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The CHEDI Muscat
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968 24524400
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Sheraton Oman Hotel
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968 24799899
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Crown Plaza Hotel Muscat
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968 24660660
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Muscat Holidays Inn Hotel
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968 24487123
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Golden Tulip Muscat
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968 24510300
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Haffa House Hotel
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968 2470 7207
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Al Falaj Hotel
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968 24702311
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Radisson SAS Muscat
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968 24487777
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Shatti Qurum Ramada
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968 24603555
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Al-Bahjah Hotel
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968 24424400
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Dreams Resort
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968 24453399
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Useful Number
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Name
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Telephone
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Royal Oman Police
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968 24560099
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Al Harthy Complex Post Office
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968 24563534
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Madinat Sultan Qaboos Post Office
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968 24697083
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Muscat Post Office
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968 24738547
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Al Nahda Hospital
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968 24707800
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Muscat Hospital
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968 24738036
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Royal Hospital
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968 24599000
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Muscat Private Hospital
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968 24592600
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