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Muscat ((アラビア語:مسقط), ) is the capital of Oman. It is also the seat of government and largest city in the Governorate of Muscat. According to the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI), the total population of Muscat Governorate reached 1.56 million as of September 2015.〔 The metropolitan area spans approximately and includes six provinces called ''wilayats''. Known since the early 1st century CE as an important trading port between the west and the east, Muscat was ruled by various indigenous tribes as well as foreign powers such as the Persians, Portuguese Empire and the Ottoman Empire at various points in its history. A regional military power in the 18th century, Muscat's influence extended as far as East Africa and Zanzibar. As an important port-town in the Gulf of Oman, Muscat attracted foreign tradesmen and settlers such as the Persians and the Balochis. Since the ascension of Qaboos bin Said as Sultan of Oman in 1970, Muscat has experienced rapid infrastructural development that has led to the growth of a vibrant economy and a multi-ethnic society. The rocky Western Al Hajar Mountains dominate the landscape of Muscat. The city lies on the Arabian Sea along the Gulf of Oman and is in the proximity of the strategic Straits of Hormuz. Low-lying white buildings typify most of Muscat's urban landscape, while the port-district of Muttrah, with its corniche and harbour, form the north-eastern periphery of the city. Muscat's economy is dominated by trade, petroleum and porting. ==Etymology== Ptolemy's ''Map of Arabia'' identifies the territories of ''Cryptus Portus''〔Foster (1844), p.231.〕 and ''Moscha Portus''.〔Foster (1844), p.241.〕 Scholars are divided in opinion on which of the two related to the city of ''Muscat''. Similarly, Arrianus references ''Omana'' and ''Moscha'' in ''Voyage of Nearchus''. Interpretations of Arrianus' work by William Vincent and Jean Baptiste Bourguignon d'Anville conclude that ''Omana'' was a reference to ''Oman'', while ''Moscha'' referred to ''Muscat''.〔Foster (1844), p.173.〕 Similarly, other scholars identify Pliny the Elder's reference to ''Amithoscuta'' to be ''Muscat''.〔 The origin of the word ''Muscat'' is disputed. Some authors claim that the word has Arabic origins – from ''moscha'', meaning an ''inflated hide'' or ''skin''.〔Foster (1844), p.173〕 Other authors claim that the name ''Muscat'' means ''anchorage'' or ''the place of "letting fall the anchor"''.〔Miles (1997), p.468.〕 Other derivations include ''muscat'' from Old Persian, meaning ''strong-scented'',〔Hailman (2006), p.49.〕 or from Arabic, meaning ''falling-place'',〔Philips (1966), p.4.〕 or ''hidden''.〔Room (2003), p.246.〕 ''Cryptus Portus'' is synonymous with Oman ("hidden land"). But "Ov-man" (Omman), and the old sumerian name ''Magan (Maa-kan)'', means sea-people in Arabic. An inhabitants is a ''Muscatter'', ''Muscatian'', ''Muscatite'' or ''Muscatan''. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Muscat, Oman」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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