Sohar, Oman

Capital City

Forget the romanticized tales of Sinbad - Sohar's population of 219,264 makes it a bustling industrial hub, not a quaint port town. The development of the Sohar Industrial Port has transformed it into a major Omani economic center, for better or worse. While the city boasts impressive universities and parks, the persistent bureaucracy and sweltering desert climate are a headache for many residents. Sohar may appeal to those seeking job opportunities in the booming steel and aluminum industries, but it's hardly an idyllic seaside getaway.