Khasab
Khasab is the capital and principal town of Oman's Musandam Governorate, an exclave at the northern extremity of the Musandam Peninsula bordering the United Arab Emirates and facing the Strait of Hormuz.[1][2] Positioned at coordinates approximately 26°10′N 56°15′E, it serves as the administrative center for the governorate's four wilayats, including itself, Dibba, Bukha, and Madha.[1] The town's strategic maritime location has historically facilitated trade and, more recently, positions it as a hub for tourism drawn to the region's dramatic fjord-like khors, rugged Hajar Mountains, and opportunities for dolphin watching and coastal exploration.[2] Khasab features notable landmarks such as Khasab Fort, a 17th-century Portuguese-era structure, and supports a local economy centered on fishing, port activities, and adventure tourism including dhow cruises and ziplines.[3] Its proximity to Iran, about 55 kilometers across the strait, has influenced cross-border exchanges, though official emphasis lies on its role in Oman's northern governance and as a gateway to the governorate's 1,800 square kilometers of mountainous and coastal terrain.[4][3]Geography and Environment
Location and Topography
Khasab is the capital of Musandam Governorate, Oman's northernmost exclave, which is separated from the country's main territory by the United Arab Emirates and borders the UAE to the south and west while facing Iran across the Strait of Hormuz to the north.[5] Situated at coordinates 26°10′N 56°15′E, the city lies on a narrow coastal strip along the Gulf of Oman, approximately 500 kilometers northwest of Oman's capital, Muscat.[6][5] This isolated position enhances its role as a gateway to the region's maritime pathways. The topography of Khasab is defined by the dramatic rise of the Hajar Mountains, specifically their western extension in Musandam, which ascend steeply from the coast to heights of around 1,800 meters above sea level.[7] These rugged peaks, part of the broader Al Hajar range, limit arable land to small coastal plains and wadi floors, with the mountains plunging directly into the sea in many areas.[8] The landscape features deep fjord-like inlets known as khors, where seawater intrudes into steep valleys, creating sheltered bays and contributing to Khasab's natural harbor.[8] Khasab's harbor benefits from this topography, offering protection amid the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow chokepoint spanning about 39 kilometers at its closest points near the city and facilitating access to major shipping lanes connecting the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea.[9] The combination of mountainous barriers and coastal indentations isolates the area terrestrially while emphasizing its maritime connectivity.[7]