Doha

Doha

Doha is the capital city of Qatar. It is on the coast of the Persian Gulf and is the main place for money and business in the country. More than 80% of Qatar’s people live in Doha and nearby areas.

The city started in the 1820s and became Qatar’s capital in 1971 when the country became independent from the British protectorate. Today, Doha is known for growing quickly and building many modern places. Important areas include Education City for learning, Hamad Medical City for healthcare, and Aspire Zone for sports.

Doha has also been a key place for big international events. It has hosted important meetings like the Doha Development Round of World Trade Organization talks and the 2022 FIFA World Cup. In 2021, Doha was named one of the safest cities in the world.

Etymology

The name "Doha" comes from an Arabic word meaning "roundness." It refers to the round shape of the bays near the city.

History

See also: Timeline of Doha and Al Bidda

The city of Doha started as a small place called Al Bidda. Early records from 1681 talk about Al Bidda, and a German explorer mapped it in 1765. British records from 1801 describe the town and its defenses.

Doha was founded in the 1820s near Al Bidda. Over time, the two places were often mixed up in old records because they were very close.

In 1847, the Al Thani family moved to Doha and took control. They led the town through many changes.

By the early 1900s, Doha was an important trading place, especially for pearls. The pearl trade helped the city grow, but when pearl prices dropped, the city had a difficult time.

In 1916, Doha became the capital of Qatar under British protection. Oil discoveries in the 1930s brought new wealth and change. The city grew quickly from the 1950s onward, with new schools, buildings, and roads.

Today, Doha is a busy city with many modern buildings and cultural places. It has hosted big international events and continues to grow as Qatar's main city.

Geography

See also: Geography of Qatar

Topography and geology

Doha is located on the east coast of Qatar, by the Persian Gulf. It sits about 10 meters above sea level. The city has grown a lot, and extra land has been built out into the water. Much of the land where the main airport, Hamad International Airport, was built was created this way. The ground in Doha is mostly made of stone and chalk.

Wildlife

There are many street cats in Doha. They were brought in long ago to help with mice and rats, and now there are millions of them. A small lizard called the Gulf sand gecko has also been seen living in Doha since 2013.

Common plants in Doha include weeds and grasses, like creeping sorrel and winter cherry. Some flowers such as the sacred datura and wild chamomile can sometimes be found, though not very often. There are also herbs like rabl and shih growing in some areas.

Islands and coast

The Pearl is a large artificial island built off the coast of Doha. There are several other small islands nearby, such as Palm Tree Island, Shrao's Island, Al Safliya Island, and Al Aaliya Island.

Climate

Doha has very hot summers and mild winters. Temperatures in summer can get very high, often above 38 °C (100 °F). Rain is rare, with most of it falling between October and March. Winters are warm during the day but cooler at night, and temperatures rarely drop below 7 °C (45 °F).

Demographics

See also: Demographics of Qatar

Many people in Qatar live in Doha and nearby areas. The busiest part of the city is Al Najada, where lots of people live close together. In the bigger Doha area, the number of people living in each square kilometer changes a lot — some places have many people, while others have only a few.

Most people living in Doha are from other countries, with only a few being from Qatar itself. Many come from places like India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, the Philippines, and Bangladesh. People from other parts of the world also live there, including Europe, North America, and Australia. The main language in Qatar is Arabic, but English is used a lot, especially for business.

Most people in Doha follow the Muslim faith. There are also many Christian people in Doha. The first Catholic church, Our Lady of the Rosary, opened in March 2008. There are several other churches in Doha for different Christian groups.

Administration

Districts

Main article: List of communities in Doha

Long ago, Doha was divided into 9 main areas. By 2010, there were over 60 areas in Doha Municipality. Some of these areas include:

• Al Bidda (البدع)
• Al Dafna (الدفنة)
• Al Ghanim (الغانم)
• Al Markhiya (المرخية)
• Al Sadd (السد)
• Al Waab (الوعب)
• Bin Mahmoud (فريج بن محمود)
• Madinat Khalifa (مدينة خليفة)
• Musheireb (مشيرب)
• Najma (نجمه)
• Old Airport (المطار القديم)
• Qutaifiya (القطيفية)
• Ras Abu Aboud (راس أبو عبود)
• Rumeilah (الرميلة)
• Umm Ghuwailina (ام غو يلينه)
• West Bay (الخليج الغربي)

Some areas, like As Salatah al Jadidah and Fereej Bin Mahmoud, were made for families who lived there first. After Qatar became independent, some old parts of Doha, such as Al Najada, Al Asmakh, and Old Al Hitmi, changed greatly, and many old buildings were removed. The government then focused more on the Doha Bay area, where important business areas like Al Dafna and West Bay are found.

Economy

See also: Economy of Qatar

Doha is the main economic center of Qatar. The city has many important organizations, including large oil and gas companies like QatarEnergy and QatarEnergy LNG. The city's economy mostly comes from oil and natural gas. In 2011, Doha was named one of the best new cities for business. The government has worked to make the economy stronger so it does not rely only on oil and gas. New airports like Hamad International Airport were built to help tourism grow. Many new hotels were also being built.

Because Doha's population grew quickly, housing prices went up a lot by 2014. Prices went up even more after Qatar was chosen to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Even though oil prices dropped and there were some problems with nearby countries, the government kept investing in new homes and buildings in metropolitan Doha.

Expatriate workers sent money back to their home countries, with India and the Philippines being the top destinations.

Tourism and retail

Doha is Qatar's top tourist city. The country is working hard to grow tourism by building new hotels, resorts, and showing off places like the Museum of Islamic Art and the Katara Cultural Village. Qatar Airways has become a very popular airline, linking Qatar to many cities around the world. Big events like the FIFA World Cup 2022 brought many visitors to Doha.

With higher incomes, people in Qatar are spending more on food and shopping. The country is also trying to attract businesses by building great places like Hamad International Airport and making rules easier for new companies. In 2022, Doha was second in the world for how much money tourists spent. By August 2023, Doha had already welcomed more visitors than all of 2022, and it was named the Arab tourism capital for 2023. Doha also hosted the International Horticultural Expo 2023, a big garden event in one of the city's largest parks.

Architecture

See also: Architecture of Qatar and List of tallest buildings in Qatar

Traditional architecture

Doha's old buildings were made from stone found nearby. The walls were thick, made from stone and mud. Clay or gypsum covered the walls. Roofs were flat, made from wood brought from far away, with leaves and earth to keep them safe. Old buildings had special open areas and wooden parts to help with rain.

Many older buildings from the 1960s and 1970s in Doha's old areas have been removed to make space for new ones. Efforts are being made to protect Doha's cultural history, like the "Al Turath al Hai" project by the Qatar Museums Authority. Katara Cultural Village is a place that shows Qatar's culture and history.

Modern architecture

In the middle of the last century, Qatar started using new building methods. In the 1950s, they began using concrete blocks with shells inside, made from sand found near the coast.

Later, building methods changed more. They used plain concrete blocks and strong concrete buildings. New materials like wood products and metal were used, and air conditioning became common. In 2011, over 50 tall buildings were being built in Doha, with the biggest being the Doha Convention Center Tower. Building stopped in 2012 because it might disturb airplane traffic, and the area is now being turned into a park.

In 2014, a government leader said Qatar would spend a lot of money on new buildings for the 2022 FIFA World Cup and other future plans.

Msheireb Downtown Doha is a big project covering 31 hectares and costing about $5 billion. It includes several areas opened at different times and aims to save the old downtown part of the city.

National Museum of Qatar

Main article: National Museum of Qatar

The new National Museum of Qatar opened on March 28, 2019. It was designed by architect Jean Nouvel to look like a desert rose and grows around an old palace from the past. The museum is on a big piece of land next to the sea, connected by walkways.

Doha Tower

Doha Tower, also called Burj Doha, is a tall office building in West Bay, Doha. It was finished in 2012 and won an award for being one of the best tall buildings in the world. The building is 238 meters tall with 46 floors.

Aspire Tower

Main article: Aspire Tower

Aspire Tower, also called The Torch Doha, is a 300-meter-tall hotel in the Aspire Zone. It was built for the Asian Games in 2006 and is the tallest building in Doha.

Tornado Tower

Main article: Tornado Tower

The Tornado Tower, also called QIPCO Tower, is a tall office building in Doha. It is 195 meters tall with 52 floors and was finished in 2008.

Museum of Islamic Art

Main article: Museum of Islamic Art, Doha

The Museum of Islamic Art is on a special island near a harbor in Doha. It was designed by architect I. M. Pei and opened in 2017. The museum shows important items from many places around the world.

Qatar National Library

Main article: Qatar National Library

The Qatar National Library is a modern place with over one million books. It was started by Sheikha Moza bint Nasser and opened in 2012.

Al Thumama Stadium

Main article: Al Thumama Stadium

Al-Thumama Stadium is a football stadium in Doha. It was used for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Msheireb Museums

Main article: Msheireb Museums

Msheireb Museums is a project that saves old houses in the heart of Doha. These houses are turned into museums as part of a big development plan for the city.

Atmosphere

In the past, buildings in Doha were close together with small paths between them to give shade and keep things cool. Thick stone walls helped keep the inside cooler. Windows were few and often hidden to keep privacy and temperature down.

Designs included special parts to let air flow and cool the buildings. Big open spaces inside helped air move around.

Because it gets very hot in Doha, new buildings use different ways to stay cool, like shadows and special materials.

Planned communities

One of the biggest building projects in Qatar is Lusail City, a new city north of Doha that will hold 450,000 people. Another project is Al Waab City, which will have homes, shops, schools, and hospitals for 8,000 people. Gewan Island is a new development with space for many uses.

Transportation

Main article: Transportation in Doha

Doha has been growing fast, so Qatar has spent money to improve roads, airports, and other ways to travel. Since 2004, Doha has added new highways, a new airport in 2014, a new seaport in 2016, and a big metro system that started in 2019.

The city has important highways, like Dukhan Highway, Al Shamal Road, and Al Khor Coastal Road. There is a big project called Sharq Crossing in Doha Bay, which will connect the airport to other places.

Doha has a metro system with three lines already working: the Red Line, the Green Line, and the Gold Line. The Blue Line will be finished in 2025. The main airport is Hamad International Airport, which opened in 2014 and has won awards for being one of the best airports in the world.

There are many taxis in Doha, some of which are a special turquoise color and are operated by Mowasalat. You can also use ride-hailing apps like Uber.

Education

See also: Education in Qatar, Education City, and List of schools in Qatar

Doha is a very important place for learning in Qatar. It has the most schools and colleges in the country. The first school for boys opened in Doha in 1952, and the first school for girls opened three years later. In 1973, Qatar University was established as the country’s first university.

Education City is a big area for learning that started in 2000. It includes many schools and universities, and it has offices for a children’s television channel.

Sports

Main article: Sport in Qatar

Football is the most popular sport in Doha. The city has six football clubs that play in the top league of Qatar, called the Qatar Stars League. Some of the best teams come from Doha.

Doha has hosted many important football tournaments, including the AFC Asian Cup and the 1995 FIFA World Youth Championship. In 2010, Qatar was chosen to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup, and several new stadiums were built in Doha for this event.

Besides football, Doha also hosts other sports events. The city has held basketball championships, volleyball competitions, and tennis tournaments. Doha hosted the Asian Games in 2006 and plans to host them again in 2030. There are many sports venues in Doha, including stadiums, a golf club, and a handball sports hall.

See also: List of football stadiums in Qatar

Culture

Main article: Culture of Qatar

Doha was named the Arab Capital of Culture in 2010. Many cultural events were held in the city from April to June, showing both Arab and other cultures.

Arts

Main article: Qatari art

Further information: Public art in Qatar and Collecting practices of the Al-Thani Family

The Museum of Islamic Art in Doha opened in 2008 and is one of the best museums in the area. Many other museums in Doha are managed by the Qatar Museums Authority. The National Museum of Qatar opened to the public on March 28, 2019.

Cinema

Main article: Cinema of Qatar

The Doha Film Institute was started in 2010 to help grow Qatar’s film industry. The Doha Tribeca Film Festival was held each year from 2009 to 2012. Famous actors from around the world visited Doha for these events. Films from many countries were shown at the festival.

Media

Main article: Media of Qatar

See also: Television in Qatar

Doha is home to Al Jazeera Media Network, which began with a radio station in the 1960s. Today, Al Jazeera has many channels and platforms, offering news and other programs in different languages. The network was started in 1996 by the Emir of Qatar.

Theatre

Main article: Theatre in Qatar

The first official theatre group in Qatar was formed in 1972. Over the years, more groups were created to help actors and produce plays. Today, theatre performances happen at the Qatar National Theater and the Qatar National Convention Center in Doha.

Sites and attractions

Doha has many fun places to visit. You can explore The Pearl Island, a beautiful area by the water, or visit the Qatar National Museum to learn about the country's history. Other popular spots include Aspire Park for sports and outdoor fun, and Souq Waqif, a lively market with lots of shops and food stalls.

You might also enjoy the Katara Cultural Village for art and culture, the Doha Corniche for walking along the waterfront, and the tall Aspire Tower. There are many more exciting places like the Museum of Islamic Art, Doha, the Doha Tower, and the modern Msheireb Downtown Doha area to discover.

Twin and sister cities

Doha has many twin and sister cities around the world. These cities are friends and work together. Some of these cities are Tunis in Tunisia, Alameda in California, Port Louis in Mauritius, Beijing in China, and many more.

Notable people

• Nourah Al Saad (born 1964) – writer