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Oman / Dhofar / Salalah The wilayat of Salalah, which is the administrative capital of Dhofar, lies on the Arabian Sea, around 1040km from Muscat in the north. The city has been subject to many historical and archaeological studies over the years and evidence has been found in the form of writing, inscriptions and signs indicating that a number of different civilizations have succeeded each other here. The Manjawi civilization dwelt in the district of Belid between the 12th and 16th centuries. At this time, the area was renowned for its thriving import and export activities, the main exports being Arabian horses and frankincense. It is thought that Ahmed bin Mohammed al Haboudhi rebuilt the city and renamed it Al Mansourah (The Victorious) and this status was reaffirmed in the writings of explorers Marco Polo and Ibn Batuta. There are three archaeological sites in Al Mughsil with traces of ancient walls, tombs and mosques. Not all the sights in Salalah belong to the past, however. This wilayat contains stunning beaches and steep, mountainous landscapes. The rocky outcrops on the beach in Mughsil contain many blowholes which burst dramatically during high tide. Salalah is developing as a tourist resort and is attracting a number of international hotel chains such as Holiday Inn and Hilton. Port Salalah, completed in 1998, is destined to become one of the world's most important container terminals. Its construction has provided jobs for many Omanis. |
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