Travelers on the Arabian Sea often find themselves in Muscat, on the Gulf of Oman. This port capital is situated between ocean and mountains, and boasts lovely beaches, great diving sites (watch for turtles!), 16th-century forts, and the impressive Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, which can hold 20,000 people.

Oman is an independent state extending along the southeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula. Oman falls naturally into three physical divisions: a narrow coastal plain, ranges of mountains and hills, and an interior plateau.