Muscat is the caipital an lairgest ceety o Oman. It is an aa the seat o government an lairgest ceety in the Governorate o Muscat. As o 2008, the population o the Muscat metropolitan aurie wis 1,090,797. The metropolitan aurie spans approximately 1,500 km2 an includes sax wilayats. Kent syne the early 1st century AD as an important tradin port atween the wast an the east, Muscat wis ruled bi various indigenous tribes as well as foreign pouers such as the Persians an the Portuguese Empire at various points in its history. A regional military pouer in the 18t century, Muscat's influence extendit as far as East Africae an Zanzibar. As an important port-toun in the Gulf o Oman, Muscat attractit foreign tradesmen an settlers such as the Persians, the Balochis an Gujaratis. Syne the ascension o Qaboos bin Said as Sultan o Oman in 1970, Muscat haes experienced rapid infrastructural development that haes led tae the growth o a vibrant economy an a multi-ethnic society.