Oman Cities

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Oman Cities by Population

28 cities shown of 28 total Oman cities that are over 1,000 in population...

1. Muscat 797,000
2. As Sib 237,816
3. Salalah 163,140
4. Bawshar 159,487
5. Al Sohar 108,274
6. As Suwayq 107,143
7. `Ibri 101,640
8. Saham 89,327
9. Barka' 81,647

10. Ar Rustaq 79,383
11. Al Buraymi 73,670
12. Nizwa 72,076
13. Sur 71,152
14. Bahla' 54,338
15. Al Khaburah 50,223
16. Shinas 48,009
17. Sufalat Sama'il 47,718
18. Izki 36,203

19. Al Liwa' 26,372
20. Ibra' 25,265
21. Bidbid 21,188
22. Badiyah 18,479
23. Khasab 17,904
24. Adam 17,283
25. Yanqul 16,599
26. Al Qabil 14,008
27. Bayt al `Awabi 10,711
28. Dib Dibba 5,000

Oman History

From the 6th century BC to the arrival of Islam in the 7th century AD, Oman was controlled and/or influenced by three Iranian dynasties, the Achaemenids, Parthians and Sassanids. Achaemenids in the 6th century BC controlled and influenced the Oman peninsula. This was most likely exerted from a coastal center such as Sohar. By about 250 B.C. the Parthian dynasty brought the Persian Gulf under their control and extended their influence as far as Oman. Because they needed to control the Persian Gulf trade route, the Parthians established garrisons in Oman. In the third century A.D. the Sasanids succeeded the Parthians and held the area until the rise of Islam four centuries later.

On the advent of Islam, the faith reached Oman during the Prophet Muhammad's lifetime. The conversion of Omanis is usually ascribed to Amr ibn al-As, who visited the region. By the middle of the eighth century AD.

The Portuguese occupied Muscat for a 140-year period 15081648, arriving a decade after Vasco da Gama discovered the seaway to India. In need of an outpost to protect their sea lanes, the Europeans built up and fortified the city, where remnants of their colonial architectural style still remain. Revolting tribes drove out the Portuguese, but were pushed out themselves about a century later 1741 by the leader of a Yemeni tribe leading a massive army from various other tribes, who began the current line of ruling sultans. A brief Persian invasion a few years later was the final time Oman would be ruled by a foreign power. Oman has been self governing ever since.