Rugged beauty

Khasab: The Governorate of Musandam has a diverse geography with high mountains, deep sea waters and rocky inlets.

Among the rocky and sandy beaches in the governorate are Bassa and Hayout in the Wilayat of Khasab, Hal, Tabib and A’Sifa and A’Tawila in the Wilayat of Bukha, A’Soot, Zaghi and A’Sahma in the Wilayat of Daba.

Between the fertile oases across the mountain peaks and valleys, there are Al Khalidiyah, Al Si, A’Sahasih and Al Rawdha in the Wilayat of Khasab, Aflaj or ancient irrigation systems such as Al Mahal, Al Mahas, Al Rihaiba, Wadi Khin in the Wilayat of Khasab, Al Thuwara spring in the Wilayat of Bukha, Al Sakta spring in the Wilayat of Daba, Al Athid falaj, Al Mutaridh falaj, Al Shiriki falaj, Al Daier falaj, Hajar Bani Humaid falaj in the Wilayat of Mad’ha.

Moosa bin Issa al Riyami, Acting Director of Tourism Administration in Musandam, said that the governorate located in the far north of the Sultanate, is a unique tourist location. Among the tourist attractions in the governorate is Jebel Harim mountain in the Wilayat of Khasab. It rises 1,600 metres from the surface of the sea, its highest peak is 2,087 metres above sea level.

The mountains are dotted with fossils of fish and shellfish and other marine animals, dating back to about 250 million years.

There are many islands in the governorate such as Umm Al Ghanam, Salamah, Al Khail, Musandam, Umm A’Tair, Al Telegraf , Umm Fayarin, Al Sawda and Abu Mukhalif.

Each of these islands has its own unique features. Umm A’Tair, located in the eastern part of the governorate, is a natural reserve for birds, especially the Sterna birds.

The island is included in nature reserves under the report of the International Union for Conservation of Nature in 1986.

It is also called the island of eggs for the large number of migratory birds.

Al Riyami added that one of the most famous islands in the governorate is Maqlab Island or Al Telegraf Island, located in Khasab. In Khasab, there are many historical and archaeological monuments, notably the Khasab Fort, Al Kamzarah Fort, Al Siba Fort and Kabs Al Qasr Fort.

In the Wilayat of Bukha, there are Al Bilad Fort, Bukha Fort, Al Qal’aah Fort, Al Jam’ea Archeological Mosque, Al Muraba’a Fort, Burj Al Qasha and Al Jadah Ruins in Ghumdha Village. In the Wilayat of Daba, there are Daba Fort, Al Ghazayer Fort, the historical cemetery called Amir Al Jaish Cemetery, the site of the newly discovered Archeological Saih Al Deer in Al Gharabiya in 2012 where about 4,000 different antiquities have been collected so far and are currently on display at the National Museum in Muscat. In the Wilayat of Mad’ha, rock inscriptions abound in several different locations. They are in the form of drawings and writings dating back to the Iron Age named Makhazin Al Jahl.

There are also several historical towers in Al Andhar, Al Ghona and Hajar Bani Humaid, in addition to Mohammed bin Salim Al Madhani Museum, which contains many ancient coins, antiques and books.

Al Riyami said that Khasab Fort is one of the most important historical and tourist attractions in Musandam, with its unique location overlooking the coastal road. The fort was built in the 17th century. The Ministry of Heritage and Culture carried out restoration works for the fort in 1990.

— ONA