Muscat (Arabic: مسقط, Masqaṭ) is the capital of Oman. It is also the seat of government and largest city in the Governorate of Muscat. As of 2010 census, the population of the Muscat metropolitan area was 734,697. The metropolitan area spans approximately 1,500 km2 (580 sq mi) and includes six provinces called wilayats. Known since the early 1st century CE as an important trading port between the west and the east, Muscat was ruled by various indigenous tribes as well as foreign powers such as the Persians and the Portuguese Empire at various points in its history. A regional military power in the 18th century, Muscat's influence extended as far as East Africa and Zanzibar. As an important port-town in the Gulf of Oman, Muscat attracted foreign tradesmen and settlers such as the Persians, the Balochs and Gujaratis. Since the ascension of Qaboos bin Said as Sultan of Oman in 1970, Muscat has experienced rapid infrastructural development that has led to the growth of a vibrant economy and a multi-ethnic society.
Oman (i/oʊˈmɑːn/ oh-MAAN; Arabic: عمان ʻUmān), officially called the Sultanate of Oman (Arabic: سلطنة عُمان Salṭanat ʻUmān), is an Arab state in southwest Asia on the southeast coast of the Arabian Peninsula. It is bordered by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to the northwest, Saudi Arabia to the west, and Yemen to the southwest. The coast is formed by the Arabian Sea on the southeast and the Gulf of Oman on the northeast. The Madha and Musandam enclaves are surrounded by the UAE on their land borders, with the Strait of Hormuz and Gulf of Oman forming Musandam's coastal boundaries.
For a period, Oman was a moderate regional power, formerly having a sultanate extending across the Strait of Hormuz to Iran, and modern day Pakistan, and far south to Zanzibar on the coat of south-east Africa. Over time, as its power declined, the sultanate came under heavy influence from the United Kingdom, though Oman was never formally part of the British Empire, or a British protectorate. The Omani royal family claim that Oman has been ruled by the Al Said dynasty since 1744, although without substantial proof. Oman has long-standing military and political ties with the United Kingdom and the United States, although it maintains an independent foreign policy.
When I was young
Saw football games
At the great big stadium
Could tell the fans
From out of town
By the clown suits they had on
20, 000 red cowboy hats
Means cornhuskers to you
Mickey Mouse beans
With tiger ears
Shows you cheer ol' Mizzou
Let's not forget the Razorbacks
From the U. of Arkansas
With plastic pig snouts
On their heads
Soooooeeeeeeing, "How 'bout them Hawgs?"
That's mascot mania
I work all week
At a job I hate
Where everything goes wrong
Weekends what I live for
To your church I belong
I cross the street in San Francisco
When a chump comes out of a bar
Yelling "Forty-fuckin-Niners, man"
With his gold and red jacket on
In Cleveland, throwing dog biscuits
Shows how much you love them Browns
While Bronco fans just hang their heads
When the Superbowl comes around
Raider jacket dollars
Got the White Sox wearin Black
Statues of Joe Paterno
Sold in gift shops at Penn State
That's mascot mania
Don't make fun of religious rituals
In any place
Lord help you if you laugh
While they do this with a straight face
Outside of the United States
It gets even more bizarre
In Tokyo they got a baseball team
They call the Carp
The Salmonbellies are the pride
Of New Westminster B.C.
C'mon Greg Werkman, what's a Hoosier?
And why do they throw chairs?
When Sudbury Ontario's
Hockey team scores a goal
They drag a stuffed wolf
Across the ice
A fan shot at it once, ya know
That's mascot mania
Blue Streak
Horned Frogs
Long Horns
Trojans
Someone better tell Tipper Gore
About the names of these here teams
Tar Heals
Gamecocks
Blue Devils
Crimson Tide
Real Indians
Sick of Redskins
And Tomahawk chops
It seems to me
That to stay mean
These names should change with time
The New York Muggers
Detroit Murders
And Chicago Mob
Boston Bigots
Texas Swindlers
And the L.A. Cops
Miami Drugs
New Jersey Dumps
Take on the Denver Smog
Seattle Fads
New Orleans Hoods
Milwaukee Cannibals
San Diego Jarheads
And the Arizona Drought
That's mascot mania
Go, Carp, go!
Salmonbellies rule!
Hit 'em harder Cops!
But, a hockey team called The Mighty Ducks?
Head explode when Dallas Oswalds
Meet Washington Bribes
Home team band plays Cop Killer
When L.A. comes to town
Pittsburgh Polluters
Houston Drive-Bys
Don't stir near the fear
When the Florida Abortion Bombers
Meet the San Francisco Queers
That's mascot mania
Anywhere you go
The games the same old thing
Bet your money on the Bribes