Muscat is divided into six wilayats and is Oman's financial and trade centre.
Hamad bin Said took Muscat as Oman's capital from Rustaq between 1779 - 1792 and this has never since been contested. However, this has not always been the case and prior to Sultan Qaboos' accession to the throne, the Oman of the early 20 th century to 1970 told a very different story. Curfews were imposed on Muscat's denizens and everyone had to be within the city walls by sunset, when the cannons would fire their summons. Trades were carried out using antiquated tools and methods and cars were practically non-existent, as the road network was nothing but dirt tracks. Most people walked everywhere and a journey from Muscat City to Ruwi could take up to four hours.