Muscat, the ancient cap*ital of __(1)__, is on a spectacular __(2)__. The city lies __(3)__ a narrow strip of land between the sparkling __(4)__ waters of the Arabian Gulf and the rocky brown moun*tains behind it. Muscat is a __(5)__ combination of historic sites and modern __(6)__. Tourists inter*ested in history will __(7)__ at the splendid forts with their watchtowers __(8)__ walled gateways. Those with an __(9)__ in contemporary architecture will appreciate the simple lines of __(10)__ Sultan's __(11)__ but unpretentious palace. Directly __(12)__ to Muscat is the harbor of Muttrah with __(13)__ beautiful corniche and busy __(14)__ full of the sights and __(15)__ of this ancient bridge between the Middle East and __(16)__.