Muscat is the capital city of the Sultanate of Oman and its political and economic center. Throughout the different historical eras and due to its strategic location in the Sea of Oman, Muscat has played an important role as a trade hub in the Arabian Gulf and Indian Ocean regions. Muscat is bordered from the east by the Eastern Hajar Mountains and Sharqiya North and South Governorates. It is surrounded from the west by Al-Batina South Governorate and from the south by Al-Dakhliya Governorate. Muscat witnessed great prosperity during the reign of the Late Sultan Qaboos bin Said. Today, Muscat is the most densely populated of the 11 Governorates in the Sultanate. It consists of six Wilayats, namely Muscat, Mutrah, Boushar, Seeb, Amerat and Qurayyat. Muscat Governorate plays a vital role in the economy, tourism and trade flow through a variety of factories, banks, global hotels, malls, natural parks, scientific centers, historical museums and ecological landmarks.