What is the capital of Oman?
Muscat stretches along the Gulf of Oman in the northeast of the country, hemmed in by the rocky Hajar Mountains that run along the coastline.
Muscat is the capital and seat of government of Oman, a role it has held since 1793. Oman itself has an estimated population of 5,494,691 (2025).
Muscat is also the largest city in Oman, which is the usual arrangement, though it is far from universal: see the countries where capital and largest city differ.
Muscat at a glance
| Metropolitan area | 1,720,000 (2023, urban area) |
|---|---|
| Country | 🇴🇲 Oman |
| Capital since | 1793 |
| Largest city in Oman | Muscat |
| Time zone | UTC+04:00 (GST) |
| Currency | Omani rial (OMR) |
About Muscat
Muscat has been the capital of Oman since 1793, when the Omani capital was transferred to Muscat from Rustaq.
Rustaq, in the Omani interior, served as the capital until the seat of power moved to Muscat in 1793.
Muscat has been known as a leading Indian Ocean trading port since the 1st century CE, and in the 18th century its influence extended as far as East Africa and Zanzibar.
The old harbour quarter of Mutrah, with its corniche and souq, sits at the northeastern edge of the city.
Muscat is home to the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, one of the largest mosques in the region.
City facts sourced from Wikipedia: Muscat.
Frequently asked questions
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Capitals of neighbouring countries
See the full profile of Oman on its country page, or browse every capital city.
Capital and country data from open datasets; city and metropolitan populations are hand-curated per city and cited where they are shown. Populations of countries come from the World Bank (SP.POP.TOTL). Full sources and vintage on the data page. Last updated . Report a correction.