View source for Doha

{{Short description|Capital and largest city of Qatar}}
{{about|the capital city of Qatar|other uses|}}
{{distinguish|Duha}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2022}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = Doha
| official_name      =
| native_name        = {{lang|ar|الدوحة}}
| settlement_type    = [[Capital city]]
| image_skyline      = {{multiple image
| border      = infobox
| total_width = 290
| perrow      = 1/2/2/2
| image1      = Doha_MIA_Park_Skyline_View_12.jpg
| alt1        =  Doha skyline
| caption1 = [[List of tallest buildings in Doha, Qatar|Doha skyline]]
| image2      = Entrance of Amiri Diwan of Qatar.jpg
| alt2        = The Emir's Palace
| caption2 = [[Amiri Diwan of the State of Qatar|Amiri Diwan]]
| image3      = Souq Waqif, Doha, Catar, 2013-08-05, DD 84.JPG
| alt3        = Souq Waqif
| caption3 = [[Souq Waqif]]
| image4      = Nationalmuseum_Katar.jpg
| alt4        = National Museum of Qatar
| caption4 = [[National Museum of Qatar]]
| image5      = Msheireb Doha.jpg
| alt5        = Msheireb
| caption5 = [[Msheireb Downtown Doha|Musheireb Downtown Doha]]
| image6      = KataraVillageAmphitheater.jpg
| alt6        = Katara Village
| caption6 = [[Katara Cultural Village]]
| image7 = Museum_of_Islamic_Art_in_Doha,_Qatar_(32673171432).jpg
| caption7 = [[Museum of Islamic Art, Doha|Museum of Islamic Art]]
}}
| imagesize          = 275px
| image_caption      =
| image_flag         =
| pushpin_map        = Qatar#Persian Gulf#Asia
| pushpin_mapsize    =
| pushpin_map_caption = Location of Doha within Qatar##Location of Doha within the [[Persian Gulf]] Region
| image_shield       =
| coordinates        = {{coord|25|17|12|N|51|32|0|E|type:city_region:QA-DA|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type   = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name   = [[Qatar]]
| subdivision_type1  = [[Municipalities of Qatar|Municipality]]
| subdivision_name1  = [[Ad-Dawhah (municipality)|Doha]]
| established_title  = Established
| established_date   = 1825
| total_type         = City proper
| area_total_km2     = 132
| population_total   = 1,186,023
| population_as_of   = 2020
| population_footnotes =
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_metro   =
| timezone1          = AST
| utc_offset1        = +3
| website            = {{URL|https://visitqatar.com/intl-en/about-qatar/doha|visitqatar.com/doha}}
| footnotes          =
}}
'''Doha''' ({{langx|ar|الدوحة|ad-Dawḥah}} {{IPA|ar|ædˈdæwħæ,-ˈdoː-|}}) is the [[capital city]] and main [[financial hub]] of [[Qatar]]. Located on the [[Persian Gulf]] coast in the east of the country, north of [[Al Wakrah]] and south of [[Al Khor (city)|Al Khor]] and [[Lusail]], it is home to most of the country's population.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.gulf-times.com/qatar/178/details/459624/doha-municipality-accounts-for-40%25-of-qatar-population|title=Doha municipality accounts for 40% of Qatar population|newspaper=[[Gulf Times]]|date=20 October 2015|access-date=23 October 2015|archive-date=2 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151202070312/http://www.gulf-times.com/qatar/178/details/459624/doha-municipality-accounts-for-40%25-of-qatar-population|url-status=live}}</ref> It is also Qatar's fastest growing city, with over 80% of the nation's population living in Doha or its surrounding [[suburb]]s, known collectively as the [[Doha Metropolitan Area]].<ref name="OBGReport2016">{{cite book |year=2016 |title=The Report: Qatar 2016 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=twdRDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA17 |publisher=Oxford Business Group |page=17 |isbn=978-1-910068-63-2}}</ref>
Doha was founded in the 1820s as an offshoot of [[Al Bidda]]. It was officially declared as the country's capital in 1971, when Qatar gained independence from being a [[History of Qatar#British protectorate .281916.E2.80.931971.29|British protectorate]].<ref name="Encyclopædia Britannica"/> As the commercial capital of Qatar and one of the emergent financial centers in the [[Middle East]], Doha is considered a beta-level global city by the [[Globalization and World Cities Research Network]]. Metropolitan Doha includes parts of [[Al Rayyan]] such as [[Education City]], an area devoted to research and education, and [[Hamad Medical City]], an administrative area of medical care. It also includes Doha Sports City, or [[Aspire Zone]], an international sports destination that includes [[Khalifa International Stadium]], [[Hamad Aquatic Centre]]; and the [[Aspire Dome]].
The city was host to the first ministerial-level meeting of the [[Doha Development Round]] of [[World Trade Organization]] negotiations. It was also selected as host city of several sporting events, including the [[2006 Asian Games]], the [[2011 Pan Arab Games]], the [[2019 World Beach Games]], the [[FINA World Aquatics Championships]], the [[FIVB Volleyball Men's Club World Championship|FIVB Volleyball Club World Championship]], the [[WTA Finals]] and most of the games at the [[2011 AFC Asian Cup]]. In December 2011, the [[World Petroleum Council]] held the 20th World Petroleum Conference in Doha.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.20wpc.com/ |title=Welcome to the 20th World Petroleum Congress |publisher=20wpc.com |access-date=2013-07-29 |archive-date=2013-08-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130810002023/http://www.20wpc.com/ }}</ref> Additionally, the city hosted the [[2012 United Nations Climate Change Conference|2012 UNFCCC Climate Negotiations]] and the [[2022 FIFA World Cup]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Saraiva |first1=Alexia |title=Get To Know The 8 2022 Qatar World Cup Stadiums |url=https://www.archdaily.com/899352/get-to-know-the-8-2022-qatar-world-cup-stadiums |website=ArchDaily |date=2 August 2018 |access-date=2 August 2018 |archive-date=1 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201201133329/https://www.archdaily.com/899352/get-to-know-the-8-2022-qatar-world-cup-stadiums |url-status=live }}</ref> The city will host the [[2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup]].
The city also hosted the 140th [[Inter-Parliamentary Union]] Assembly in April 2019 and hosted the 18th yearly session of the [[2012 United Nations Climate Change Conference|United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change]] in 2012. Doha has been named as the second safest city in the world in the Numbeo Crime Index by City 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://apnews.com/press-release/newswire/doha-ranked-second-safest-city-in-the-world-ebdd308aeb695443bc75d3aa701feec0|title=Doha Ranked Second Safest City in the World|date=29 January 2021|website=AP News}}</ref> The index tracks safety in 431 cities.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.globaltravelerusa.com/doha-ranked-second-safest-city-in-the-world/|title=Doha Ranked Second-Safest City in the World|date=5 February 2021}}</ref>
==Etymology==
According to the [[Ministry of Municipality (Qatar)|Ministry of Municipality and Environment of Qatar]], the name "Doha" originated from the [[Arabic]] term ''dohat'', meaning "roundness"—a reference to the rounded bays surrounding the area's coastline.<ref name="gis">{{cite web|url=http://geoportal.gisqatar.org.qa/qmape/index.html|title=District map|publisher=The Centre for Geographic Information Systems of Qatar|access-date=29 May 2018|archive-date=20 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221120195155/http://geoportal.gisqatar.org.qa/qmape/index.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
==History==
{{see also|Timeline of Doha|Al Bidda}}
[[File:Doha, Qatar Astronaut Imagery.JPG|thumb|A satellite view of Doha on the East coast of Qatar. As with most world cities, Doha developed on the waterfront. Established in today's [[Souq Waqif]] area, it spread out gradually in a radial pattern with ring roads.]]
===Establishment of Al Bidda===
The city of Doha was formed seceding from another local settlement known as [[Al Bidda]]. The earliest documented mention of Al Bidda was made in 1681 by the [[Carmelites|Carmelite]] Convent, in an account that chronicles several settlements in Qatar. In the record, the ruler and a fort in the confines of Al Bidda are alluded to.<ref name="origins1">{{cite web|url=https://originsofdoha.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/a-history-of-doha-and-bidda1.pdf|title=Historical references to Doha and Bidda before 1850|publisher=The Origins of Doha Project|page=1|access-date=19 May 2015|archive-date=14 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201014040358/https://originsofdoha.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/a-history-of-doha-and-bidda1.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Billecocq|first=Xavier Beguin|title=Le Qatar et les Français: cinq siècles de récits de voyage et de textes d'érudition|publisher=Collection Relations Internationales & Culture|isbn=978-2-915273-00-7|year=2003}}</ref> [[Carsten Niebuhr]], a German explorer who visited the [[Arabian Peninsula]], created one of the first maps to depict the settlement in 1765, in which he labelled it as 'Guttur'.<ref name="origins1"/><ref>{{cite book|ref=Rahman|last=Rahman|first=Habibur|title=The Emergence Of Qatar|publisher=Routledge|year=2006|page=34|isbn=978-0-7103-1213-6}}</ref>
David Seaton, a British [[Political Resident|political resident]] in [[Muscat]], wrote the first English record of Al Bidda in 1801. He refers to the town as 'Bedih' and describes the geography and defensive structures in the area.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.academia.edu/5144073|title=Origins of Doha Season 1 Archive Report|website=Academia|last=Carter|first=Robert|page=11|access-date=13 March 2015|archive-date=7 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407080240/https://www.academia.edu/5144073|url-status=live}}</ref> He stated that the town had recently been settled by the [[Sudan (tribe)|Sudan tribe]] (singular Al-Suwaidi), whom he considered to be [[Piracy|pirates]]. Seaton attempted to bombard the town with his [[warship]], but returned to Muscat upon finding that the waters were too shallow to position his warship within striking distance.<ref name="origins2">{{cite web|url=https://originsofdoha.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/a-history-of-doha-and-bidda1.pdf|title=Historical references to Doha and Bidda before 1850|publisher=The Origins of Doha Project|page=2|access-date=19 May 2015|archive-date=14 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201014040358/https://originsofdoha.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/a-history-of-doha-and-bidda1.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Al-Qasimi|first=Sultan Mohammed|title=The journals of David Seton in the Gulf 1800-1809|publisher=[[Exeter University Press]]|year=1995}}</ref>
In 1820, British surveyor R. H. Colebrook, who visited Al Bidda, remarked on the recent depopulation of the town. He wrote:<ref name="origins2"/><ref>H. Rahman (2006), p. 36.</ref>
{{blockquote|Guttur – Or Ul Budee [Al‐Bidda], once a considerable town, is protected by two square Ghurries [forts] near the seashore; but containing no freshwater they are incapable of defense except against sudden incursions of Bedouins, another Ghurry is situated two miles inland and has fresh water with it. This could contain two hundred men. There are remaining at Ul Budee about 250 men, but the original inhabitants, who may be expected to return from Bahrein, will augment them to 900 or 1,000 men, and if the Doasir tribe, who frequent the place as divers, again settle in it, from 600 to 800 men.}}
The same year, an agreement known as the [[General Maritime Treaty of 1820|General Maritime Treaty]] was signed between the [[East India Company]] and the sheikhs of several Persian Gulf settlements (some of which were later known as the [[Trucial Coast]]). It acknowledged [[British Empire|British]] authority in the Persian Gulf and sought to end piracy and the slave trade. Bahrain became a party to the treaty, and it was assumed that Qatar, perceived as a dependency of Bahrain by the British, was also a party to it.<ref name=cs>Toth, Anthony. "Qatar: Historical Background." [http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/qatoc.html ''A Country Study: Qatar''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150625004733/http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/qatoc.html |date=25 June 2015 }} ([[Helen Chapin Metz]], editor). [[Library of Congress]] [[Federal Research Division]] (January 1993). ''This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the [[public domain]]''.</ref> Qatar, however, was not asked to fly the prescribed Trucial flag.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://originsofdoha.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/a-history-of-doha-and-bidda1.pdf|title=Historical references to Doha and Bidda before 1850|publisher=The Origins of Doha Project|page=3|access-date=19 May 2015|archive-date=14 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201014040358/https://originsofdoha.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/a-history-of-doha-and-bidda1.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> As punishment for alleged piracy committed by the inhabitants of Al Bidda and breach of the treaty, an East India Company vessel bombarded the town in 1821. They razed the town, forcing between 300 and 400 natives to flee and temporarily take shelter on the islands between Qatar and the Trucial Coast.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100023575945.0x000095|title='Gazetteer of the Persian Gulf. Vol I. Historical. Part IA & IB. J G Lorimer. 1915' [793] (948/1782)|date=30 September 2014|publisher=qdl.qa|access-date=28 January 2015|archive-date=20 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150120013819/http://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100023575945.0x000095|url-status=live}}</ref>
===Formation of Doha===
Doha was founded in the vicinity of Al Bidda sometime during the 1820s.<ref name="origins3">{{cite web|url=https://originsofdoha.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/a-history-of-doha-and-bidda1.pdf|title=Historical references to Doha and Bidda before 1850|publisher=The Origins of Doha Project|page=4|access-date=19 May 2015|archive-date=14 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201014040358/https://originsofdoha.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/a-history-of-doha-and-bidda1.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> In January 1823, political{{clarify|date=September 2023}} resident John MacLeod visited Al Bidda to meet with the ruler and initial founder of Doha, Buhur bin Jubrun, who was also the chief of the [[Al-Buainain]] tribe.<ref name="origins3"/><ref>H. Rahman (2006), p. 63.</ref> MacLeod noted that Al Bidda was the only substantial trading port in the peninsula during this time. Following the founding of Doha, written records often conflated Al Bidda and Doha due to the extremely close proximity of the two settlements.<ref name="origins3"/> Later that year, Lt. Guy and Lt. Brucks mapped and wrote a description of the two settlements. Despite being mapped as two separate entities, they were referred to under the collective name of Al Bidda in the written description.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://originsofdoha.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/a-history-of-doha-and-bidda1.pdf|title=Historical references to Doha and Bidda before 1850|publisher=The Origins of Doha Project|page=5|access-date=19 May 2015|archive-date=14 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201014040358/https://originsofdoha.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/a-history-of-doha-and-bidda1.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Brucks|first=G. B.|title=Memoir descriptive of the Navigation of the Gulf of Persia in R. H. Thomas (ed.) Selections from the records of the Bombay Government No XXIV (1829)|publisher=New York: Oleander press|year=1985}}</ref>
{{wide image|Trigonometricalalbidda.jpg|650px|align-cap=center|Al Bidda: view from the bay, 1823|alt=Map of Al Bidda}}
In 1828, Mohammed bin Khamis, a prominent member of the Al-Buainain tribe and successor of Buhur bin Jubrun as chief of Al Bidda, was embroiled in controversy. He had murdered a native of [[Bahrain]], prompting the [[House of Khalifa|Al Khalifa]] sheikh to imprison him. In response, the Al-Buainain tribe revolted, provoking the Al Khalifa to destroy the tribe's fort and evict them to [[Fuwayrit]] and [[Ar Ru'ays]]. This incident allowed the Al Khalifa additional jurisdiction over the town.<ref>{{cite book|ref=Zahlan|last=Zahlan|first=Rosemarie Said|title=The creation of Qatar|publisher=Barnes & Noble Books|edition=print|year=1979|page=33|isbn=978-0-06-497965-8}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100023575945.0x000096|title='Gazetteer of the Persian Gulf. Vol I. Historical. Part IA & IB. J G Lorimer. 1915' [794] (949/1782)|date=30 September 2014|publisher=qdl.qa|access-date=28 January 2015|archive-date=20 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150120025727/http://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100023575945.0x000096|url-status=live}}</ref> With essentially no effective ruler, Al Bidda and Doha became a sanctuary for pirates and outlaws.<ref name="origins6"/>
[[File:Al Bidda trigonometrical plan 1823.jpg|thumb|'Trigonometrical plan of the harbor of El Biddah on the Arabian side of the Persian Gulf', 1823]]
In November 1839, an outlaw from [[Abu Dhabi]] named Ghuleta took refuge in Al Bidda, evoking a harsh response from the British. A. H. Nott, a [[Royal Navy|British naval]] commander, demanded that Salemin bin Nasir Al-Suwaidi, chief of the Sudan tribe (Suwaidi) in Al Bidda, take Ghuleta into custody and warned him of consequences in the case of non-compliance. Al-Suwaidi obliged the British request in February 1840 and also arrested the pirate [[Jasim bin Jabir]] and his associates. Despite the compliance, the British demanded a fine of 300 German [[Austro-Hungarian krone|krones]] in compensation for the damages incurred by pirates off the coast of Al Bidda; namely for the piracies committed by bin Jabir. In February 1841, British naval squadrons arrived in Al Bidda and ordered Al-Suwaidi to meet the British demand, threatening consequences if he declined. Al-Suwaidi ultimately declined on the basis that he was uninvolved in bin Jabir's actions. On 26 February, the British fired on Al Bidda, striking a fort and several houses. Al-Suwaidi then paid the fine in full following threats of further action by the British.<ref name="origins6">{{cite web|url=https://originsofdoha.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/a-history-of-doha-and-bidda1.pdf|title=Historical references to Doha and Bidda before 1850|publisher=The Origins of Doha Project|pages=5–6|access-date=19 May 2015|archive-date=14 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201014040358/https://originsofdoha.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/a-history-of-doha-and-bidda1.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>H. Rahman (2006), pp. 90–92.</ref>
[[Isa bin Tarif]], a powerful tribal chief from the [[Al Bin Ali]] tribe, moved to Doha in May 1843. He subsequently evicted the ruling Sudan tribe and installed the [[Al-Maadeed]] and Al-Kuwari tribes in positions of power.<ref name="origins4">{{cite web|url=https://originsofdoha.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/a-history-of-doha-and-bidda1.pdf|title=Historical references to Doha and Bidda before 1850|publisher=The Origins of Doha Project|page=6|access-date=19 May 2015|archive-date=14 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201014040358/https://originsofdoha.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/a-history-of-doha-and-bidda1.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> Bin Tarif had been loyal to the Al Khalifa, however, shortly after the swearing-in of a new ruler in Bahrain, bin Tarif grew increasingly suspicious of the ruling Al Khalifa and switched his allegiance to the deposed ruler of Bahrain, [[House of Khalifa#List of monarchs of Bahrain of the Al Khalifa family|Abdullah bin Khalifa]], whom he had previously assisted in deposing of. Bin Tarif died in the [[Fuwayrit#Battle of Fuwayrit|Battle of Fuwayrit]] against the ruling family of Bahrain in 1847.<ref name="origins4"/>
===Arrival of the House of Al Thani===
The [[House of Thani|Al Thani]] family migrated to Doha from [[Fuwayrit]] shortly after Bin Tarif's death in 1847 under the leadership of [[Mohammed bin Thani]].<ref name="origins5">{{cite web|url=https://originsofdoha.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/a-history-of-doha-and-bidda1.pdf|title=Historical references to Doha and Bidda before 1850|publisher=The Origins of Doha Project|page=7|access-date=19 May 2015|archive-date=14 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201014040358/https://originsofdoha.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/a-history-of-doha-and-bidda1.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Line of succession: The Al Thani rule in Qatar|url=http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/qatar/line-of-succession-the-al-thani-rule-in-qatar-1.1201210|date=27 June 2013|newspaper=[[Gulf News]]|access-date=14 June 2015|archive-date=27 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130627193932/http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/qatar/line-of-succession-the-al-thani-rule-in-qatar-1.1201210|url-status=live}}</ref> In the proceeding years, the Al Thani family assumed control of the town. At various times, they swapped allegiances between the two prevailing powers in the area: the [[House of Khalifa|Al Khalifa]] of Bahrain and the [[Ibn Saud|Bin Saud]]<nowiki/>is.<ref name="origins5"/>
[[File:Persian Gulf western sheet - Al Bidda Harbor.jpg|thumb|left|Plan of Al Bidda Harbour, drawn in 1860, indicating the principal settlements and landmarks]]
In 1867, many ships and troops were sent from Bahrain to assault the towns [[Al Wakrah]] and Doha over a series of disputes. [[Abu Dhabi]] joined on Bahrain's behalf due to the perception that Al Wakrah served as a refuge for fugitives from [[Oman]]. Later that year, the combined forces sacked the two Qatari towns with around 2,700 men in what would come to be known as the [[Qatari–Bahraini War]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100023462215.0x000024|title='A collection of treaties, engagements and sanads relating to India and neighbouring countries [...] Vol XI containing the treaties, & c., relating to Aden and the south western coast of Arabia, the Arab principalities in the Persian Gulf, Muscat (Oman), Baluchistan and the North-West Frontier Province' [113v] (235/822)|date=9 October 2014|publisher=Qatar Digital Library|access-date=12 January 2015|archive-date=16 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190716052452/https://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100023462215.0x000024|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100023636219.0x000010|title='File 19/243 IV Zubarah' [8r] (15/322)|date=21 March 2014|publisher=Qatar Digital Library|access-date=12 January 2015|archive-date=16 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190716054015/https://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100023636219.0x000010|url-status=live}}</ref> A British record later stated that "the towns of Doha and Wakrah were, at the end of 1867 temporarily blotted out of existence, the houses being dismantled and the inhabitants deported".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100023575945.0x00009d|title='Gazetteer of the Persian Gulf. Vol I. Historical. Part IA & IB. J G Lorimer. 1915' [801] (956/1782)|date=30 September 2014|publisher=Qatar Digital Library|access-date=14 June 2015|archive-date=16 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191016191040/http://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100023575945.0x00009d|url-status=live}}</ref>
The joint Bahraini-Abu Dhabi incursion and subsequent Qatari counterattack prompted the British political agent, Colonel [[Lewis Pelly]], to impose a settlement in 1868. Pelly's mission to Bahrain and Qatar and the peace treaty that resulted were milestones in Qatar's history. It implicitly recognized Qatar as a distinct entity independent from Bahrain and explicitly acknowledged the position of Mohammed bin Thani as an important representative of the peninsula's tribes.<ref>H. Rahman (2006), p. 123.</ref>
[[File:Olddoha2-771x410.jpg|thumb|240px|A part of Doha as seen in January 1904. Most of the development was low-rise and the use of locally available natural materials like rammed earth and palm fronds was common practice.]]
In December 1871, the [[Ottoman Empire|Ottoman]]s established a presence in the country with 100 of their troops occupying the Musallam fort in Doha. This was accepted by Mohammad bin Thani's son, [[Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani|Jassim Al Thani]], who wished to protect Doha from Saudi incursions.<ref>H. Rahman (2006), pp. 138–139.</ref> The Ottoman commander, Major Ömer Bey, compiled a report on Al Bidda in January 1872, stating that it was an "administrative centre" with around 1,000 houses and 4,000 inhabitants.<ref name="zekeriya"/>
Disagreement over tribute and interference in internal affairs arose, eventually leading to the [[Battle of Al Wajbah]] in March 1893. Al Bidda Fort served as the final point of retreat for Ottoman troops. While they were garrisoned in the fort, their [[corvette]] fired indiscriminately at the townspeople, killing many civilians.<ref>{{cite book|ref=Zahlan|last=Zahlan|first=Rosemarie Said|title=The creation of Qatar|publisher=Barnes & Noble Books|edition=print|page=53|year=1979|isbn=978-0-06-497965-8}}</ref> The Ottomans eventually surrendered after Jassim Al Thani's troops cut off the town's water supply.<ref>H. Rahman (2006), p. 152.</ref> An Ottoman report compiled the same year reported that Al Bidda and Doha had a combined population of 6,000 inhabitants, jointly referring to both towns by the name of 'Katar'. Doha was classified as the eastern section of Katar.<ref name="zekeriya">{{cite book|last=Kurşun|first=Zekeriya|title=The Ottomans in Qatar: a history of Anglo-Ottoman conflicts in the Persian Gulf|publisher=Istanbul : Isis Press|year=2002|pages=16–17|isbn=978-975-428-213-9}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://originsofdoha.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/a-history-of-doha-and-bidda1.pdf|title=Historical references to Doha and Bidda before 1850|publisher=The Origins of Doha Project|page=11|access-date=19 May 2015|archive-date=14 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201014040358/https://originsofdoha.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/a-history-of-doha-and-bidda1.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> The Ottomans held a passive role in Qatar's politics from the 1890s onward until fully relinquishing control during the beginning of the [[World War I|first World War]].<ref name="cs"/>
===20th century===
[[File:Doha1908.jpg|thumb|right|The city's coastline in 1904 largely highlights the local community which was based on fishing and pearl diving.]]
[[Pearl hunting|Pearling]] had come to play a pivotal commercial role in Doha by the 20th century. The population increased to around 12,000 inhabitants in the first half of the 20th century due to the flourishing pearl trade.<ref name="urbanevolution">{{cite web|author=Florian Wiedmann|author2=Ashraf M. Salama|author3=Alain Thierstein|url=http://jfa.arch.metu.edu.tr/archive/0258-5316/2012/cilt29/sayi_2/35-61.pdf|title=Urban evolution of the city of Doha: an investigation into the impact of economic transformations on urban structures|page=38|access-date=14 June 2015|archive-date=14 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150514103645/http://jfa.arch.metu.edu.tr/archive/0258-5316/2012/cilt29/sayi_2/35-61.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> A British political resident noted that should the supply of pearls drop, Qatar would 'practically cease to exist'.<ref name="leader">{{cite book|last=Althani|first=Mohamed|title=Jassim the Leader: Founder of Qatar|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=X_J9kiBRdIgC|publisher=Profile Books|year=2013|page=35|isbn=978-1-78125-070-9|access-date=14 June 2015|archive-date=12 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231212120320/https://books.google.com/books?id=X_J9kiBRdIgC|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1907, the city accommodated 350 pearling boats with a combined crew size of 6,300 men. By this time, the average prices of pearls had more than doubled since 1877.<ref>{{cite book|ref=Casey & Vine|last1=Casey|first1=Paula|last2=Vine|first2=Peter|title=The heritage of Qatar|publisher=Immel Publishing|year=1991|edition=print|pages=[https://archive.org/details/heritageofqatar00vinerich/page/49 49–50]|isbn=978-0-907151-50-0|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/heritageofqatar00vinerich/page/49}}</ref> The pearl market collapsed that year, forcing Jassim Al Thani to sell the country's pearl harvest at half its value. The aftermath of the collapse resulted in the establishment of the country's first [[custom house]] in Doha.<ref name="leader"/>
====Lorimer report (1908)====
British administrator and historian [[John Gordon Lorimer (1870–1914)|J. G. Lorimer]] authored an extensive handbook for British agents in the Persian Gulf entitled ''[[Gazetteer of the Persian Gulf, Oman and Central Arabia|Gazetteer of the Persian Gulf]]'' in 1908. In it, he gives a comprehensive account of Doha at the time:
[[File:Doha looking northwest 1934 (cropped).jpg|thumb|left|"Dohah looking northwest", photographed by the Royal Air Force during a reconnaissance of the Qatar Peninsula on 9 May 1934]]
{{blockquote
|Generally so styled at the present day, but Bedouins sometimes call it Dohat-al-Qatar, and it seems to have been formerly better known as Bida' (''Anglice'' "Bidder"): it is the chief town of Qatar and is situated on the eastern side of that peninsula, about 63 miles south of its extremity at [[Ras Rakan]] and 45 miles north of [[Khawr al Udayd|Khor-al Odaid]] Harbour. Dohah stands on the south side of a deep bay at the south-western corner of a natural harbor which is about 3 miles in extent and is protected on the north-east and south-east sides by natural reefs. The entrance, less than a mile wide, is from the east between the points of the reefs; it is shallow and somewhat difficult, and vessels of more than 15 feet draught cannot pass. The soundings within the basin vary from 3 to 5 fathoms and are regular: the bottom is white mud or clay.
Townsite and quarters, — The south-eastern point of the bay are quite low but the land on the western side is stony desert 40 or 50 feet above the level of the sea. The town is built up the slope of some rising ground between these two extremes and consists of 9 Fanqs or quarters, which are given below in their order from the east to the west and north: the total frontage of the place upon the sea is nearly 2 miles.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100023515713.0x000089|title='Gazetteer of the Persian Gulf. Vol. II. Geographical and Statistical. J G Lorimer. 1908' [487] (536/2084)|date=30 September 2014|publisher=Qatar Digital Library|access-date=14 January 2019|archive-date=14 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190114210459/https://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100023515713.0x000089|url-status=live}} ''This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the [[public domain]].''</ref>
}}
[[File:OldDistrictDoha.jpg|thumb|An old district in Doha, planned with narrow streets and rough plastered walls, give a glimpse of the city's past.]]
Lorimer goes on to list and describe the districts of Doha, which at the time included the still-existing districts of [[Al Mirqab (Doha)|Al Mirqab]], [[As Salatah]], [[Al Bidda]] and [[Rumeilah (Doha)|Rumeilah]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100023515713.0x00008a|title='Gazetteer of the Persian Gulf. Vol. II. Geographical and Statistical. J G Lorimer. 1908' [488] (537/2084)|date=30 September 2014|publisher=Qatar Digital Library|access-date=14 January 2019|archive-date=15 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190115023041/https://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100023515713.0x00008a|url-status=live}}</ref> Remarking on Doha's appearance, he states:
{{blockquote
|The general appearance of Dohah is unattractive; the lanes are narrow and irregular the houses dingy and small. There are no date palms or other trees, and the only garden is a small one near the fort, kept up by the Turkish garrison.<ref name="gaz540">{{cite web|url=https://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100023515713.0x00008d|title='Gazetteer of the Persian Gulf. Vol. II. Geographical and Statistical. J G Lorimer. 1908' [489] (540/2084)|date=30 September 2014|publisher=Qatar Digital Library|access-date=14 January 2019|archive-date=14 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190114210307/https://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100023515713.0x00008d|url-status=live}} ''This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the [[public domain]].''</ref>
}}
As for Doha's population, Lorimer asserts that "the inhabitants of Dohah are estimated to amount, inclusive of the Turkish military garrison of 350 men, to about 12,000 souls". He qualified this statement with a tabulated overview of the various tribes and ethnic groups living in the town.<ref name="gaz540"/>
====British protectorate (1916–1971)====
In April 1913, the Ottomans agreed to a British request that they withdraw all their troops from Qatar. Ottoman presence in the peninsula ceased, when in August 1915, the Ottoman fort in Al Bidda was evacuated shortly after the start of World War I.<ref>M. Althani (2013), p, 134.</ref> One year later, Qatar agreed to be a British [[protectorate]] with Doha as its official capital.<ref>H. Rahman (2006), p. 291.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://originsofdoha.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/a-history-of-doha-and-bidda1.pdf|title=Historical references to Doha and Bidda before 1850|publisher=The Origins of Doha Project|page=16|access-date=19 May 2015|archive-date=14 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201014040358/https://originsofdoha.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/a-history-of-doha-and-bidda1.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
[[File:Fuerte Al Koot, Doha, Catar, 2013-08-06, DD 03.JPG|thumb|left|Camels next to [[Al Koot Fort]], built in 1927, by [[Abdullah bin Jassim Al Thani]]]]
Buildings at the time were simple dwellings of one or two rooms, built from mud, stone, and coral. Oil concessions in the 1920s and 1930s, and subsequent oil drilling in 1939, heralded the beginning of slow economic and social progress in the country. However, revenues were somewhat diminished due to the devaluation of pearl trade in the [[Persian Gulf]] brought on by the introduction of the [[cultured pearl]] and the [[Great Depression]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Pearl Diving in Qatar|url=http://traveltips.usatoday.com/pearl-diving-qatar-100698.html|newspaper=USA Today|access-date=14 June 2015|archive-date=19 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180819214256/https://traveltips.usatoday.com/pearl-diving-qatar-100698.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The collapse of the pearl trade caused a significant population drop throughout the entire country.<ref name="urbanevolution"/> It was not until the 1950s and 1960s that the country saw significant monetary returns from oil drilling.<ref name="cs"/>
[[File:Doha.jpg|thumb|A view of Doha in the 1980s showing the [[Sheraton Grand Doha Resort & Convention Hotel|Sheraton Hotel]] (pyramid-like building in the background) in [[West Bay (Doha)|West Bay]] without any of the high-rises around it]]
Qatar was not long in exploiting the new-found wealth from oil concessions, and slum areas were quickly razed to be replaced by more modern buildings. In 1950, British adviser to the Emir, Phillip L. Plant, initiated several municipal projects. Starting with remodeling the old complex of the [[Old Amiri Palace]], Plant then initiated the construction of a seaside road about a half-mile in length which opened up and made accessible the half dozen [[Jetty|jetties]] along Doha's most built-up section.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/details/the-political-situation-and-social-problems-in-qatar/mode/2up|title=Transmitting Memorandum by Consul M.R. Rutherford on Current Political Problems in Qatar|publisher=Foreign Service of the United States of America|location=Dhahran|date=28 February 1950|page=8|accessdate=26 April 2024}}</ref> The first formal boys' school was established in Doha in 1952, followed three years later by the establishment of a girls' school.<ref>{{cite book|last=Abu Saud|first=Abeer|title=Qatari Women: Past and Present|date=1984|publisher=Longman Group|isbn=978-0-582-78372-0|page=173}}</ref> Historically, Doha had been a commercial port of local significance. However, the shallow water of the bay prevented bigger ships from entering the port until the 1970s, when its deep-water port was completed. Further changes followed with extensive land reclamation, which led to the development of the crescent-shaped bay.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://famdliflc.lingnet.org/products/cip/qatar/qatar.pdf|title=Qatar in perspective: an orientation guide|publisher=Defense League Institute Foreign Language Center|year=2010|page=8|access-date=2015-06-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121210032659/http://famdliflc.lingnet.org/products/cip/qatar/qatar.pdf|archive-date=2012-12-10}}</ref> From the 1950s to 1970s, the population of Doha grew from around 14,000 inhabitants to over 83,000, with foreign immigrants constituting about two-thirds of the overall population.<ref>{{cite web|author=Florian Wiedmann|author2=Ashraf M. Salama|author3=Alain Thierstein|url=http://jfa.arch.metu.edu.tr/archive/0258-5316/2012/cilt29/sayi_2/35-61.pdf|title=Urban evolution of the city of Doha: an investigation into the impact of economic transformations on urban structures|page=41|access-date=14 June 2015|archive-date=14 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150514103645/http://jfa.arch.metu.edu.tr/archive/0258-5316/2012/cilt29/sayi_2/35-61.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
===Post-independence===
[[File:The Pearl at Night (5540218048).jpg|thumb|upright|[[The Pearl-Qatar]] at night]]
[[File:Grid Qatar Aerials Day 01 N1A4476 Wip 4.jpg|thumb|left|[[Banana Island (Qatar)|Banana Island]] is an artificial island measuring 13 hectares.]]
Qatar officially declared its independence in 1971, with Doha as its [[capital city]].<ref name="Encyclopædia Britannica"/> In 1973, the [[University of Qatar]] was opened by emiri decree,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.qu.edu.qa/theuniversity/history.php|title=Our history|publisher=Qatar University|access-date=14 June 2015|archive-date=25 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161225121300/http://www.qu.edu.qa/theuniversity/history.php|url-status=live}}</ref> and in 1975, the [[Qatar National Museum]] opened in what was originally the ruler's palace.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dohanews.co/qatars-national-museum-eyeing-2016-opening/|title=Qatar's National Museum eyeing 2016 opening|publisher=Doha News|date=6 July 2014|access-date=14 June 2015|archive-date=28 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190328081038/https://dohanews.co/qatars-national-museum-eyeing-2016-opening/|url-status=live}}</ref> During the 1970s, all old neighborhoods in Doha were razed and the inhabitants moved to new suburban developments, such as [[Al Rayyan]], [[Madinat Khalifa North|Madinat Khalifa]] and [[Al Gharrafa|Al Gharafa]]. The [[Doha Metropolitan Area]]'s population grew from 89,000 in the 1970s to over 434,000 in 1997. Additionally, land policies resulted in the total land area increasing to over 7,100 hectares (about 17,000 acres) by 1995, an increase from 130 hectares in the middle of the 20th century.<ref name="urbanevolution2">{{cite web|author=Florian Wiedmann|author2=Ashraf M. Salama|author3=Alain Thierstein|url=http://jfa.arch.metu.edu.tr/archive/0258-5316/2012/cilt29/sayi_2/35-61.pdf|title=Urban evolution of the city of Doha: an investigation into the impact of economic transformations on urban structures|pages=44–45|access-date=14 June 2015|archive-date=14 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150514103645/http://jfa.arch.metu.edu.tr/archive/0258-5316/2012/cilt29/sayi_2/35-61.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
In 1983, a hotel and conference center was developed at the north end of the [[Doha Corniche|Corniche]]. The 15-story [[Sheraton Grand Doha Resort & Convention Hotel|Sheraton hotel]] structure in this center would serve as the tallest structure in Doha until the 1990s.<ref name="urbanevolution2"/> In 1993, the [[ATP Qatar Open|Qatar Open]] became the first major sports event to be hosted in the city.<ref name="urbanevolution3">{{cite web|author=Florian Wiedmann|author2=Ashraf M. Salama|author3=Alain Thierstein|url=http://jfa.arch.metu.edu.tr/archive/0258-5316/2012/cilt29/sayi_2/35-61.pdf|title=Urban evolution of the city of Doha: an investigation into the impact of economic transformations on urban structures|page=47|access-date=14 June 2015|archive-date=14 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150514103645/http://jfa.arch.metu.edu.tr/archive/0258-5316/2012/cilt29/sayi_2/35-61.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> Two years later, Qatar stepped in to host the [[1995 FIFA World Youth Championship|FIFA World Youth Championship]], with all the matches being played in Doha-based stadiums.<ref name="1995fifa">{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/u20worldcup/archive/qatar1995/matches/index.html|title=FIFA World Youth Championship Qatar 1995 – matches|publisher=FIFA|access-date=14 June 2015|archive-date=5 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190505113156/https://www.fifa.com/u20worldcup/archive/qatar1995/matches/index.html}}</ref>
[[File:DOHA CORNISH JUNE 07 2011.JPG|thumb|Developments in Doha's West Bay district have seen an increase in the population density of the area with the construction of several high-rises.]]
[[File:Water Feature in Sheraton Park with West Bay Skyline.jpg|thumb|A view of a water feature in Sheraton Park with the West Bay skyline in the background]]
The [[Al Jazeera Media Network|Al Jazeera]] Arabic news channel began broadcasting from Doha in 1996.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://allied-media.com/aljazeera/jazeera_history.html|title=AL JAZEERA TV: The History of the Controversial Middle East News Station Arabic News Satellite Channel History of the Controversial Station|publisher=Allied-media|access-date=14 June 2015|archive-date=16 April 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120416064528/http://www.allied-media.com/aljazeera/jazeera_history.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> In the late 1990s, the government planned the construction of [[Education City]], a 2,500 hectare Doha-based complex mainly for educational institutes.<ref>{{cite web|author=Florian Wiedmann|author2=Ashraf M. Salama|author3=Alain Thierstein|url=http://jfa.arch.metu.edu.tr/archive/0258-5316/2012/cilt29/sayi_2/35-61.pdf|title=Urban evolution of the city of Doha: an investigation into the impact of economic transformations on urban structures|page=49|access-date=14 June 2015|archive-date=14 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150514103645/http://jfa.arch.metu.edu.tr/archive/0258-5316/2012/cilt29/sayi_2/35-61.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> Since the start of the 21st century, Doha attained significant media attention due to the hosting of several global events and the inauguration of several architectural mega-projects.<ref name="demystifying">{{cite book|last1=Wiedmann|first1=Florian|last2=Salama|first2=Ashraf M|title=Demystifying Doha: On Architecture and Urbanism in an Emerging City|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fk6iAgAAQBAJ|publisher=Ashgate|year=2013|isbn=978-1-4094-6634-5}}</ref> One of the largest projects launched by the government was [[The Pearl-Qatar]], an artificial island off the coast of [[West Bay (Doha)|West Bay]], which launched its first district in 2004.<ref>{{cite news|author=Khalil Hanware|url=http://www.arabnews.com/node/264071|title=Pearl-Qatar Towers Lure International Investors|newspaper=Arab News|location=Jeddah|date=21 March 2005|access-date=11 October 2015|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304070032/http://www.arabnews.com/node/264071|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2006, Doha was selected to host the [[2006 Asian Games|Asian Games]], leading to the development of a 250-hectare sporting complex known as [[Aspire Zone]].<ref name="urbanevolution3"/> During this time, new cultural attractions were constructed in the city, with older ones being restored. In 2006, the government launched a restoration program to preserve [[Souq Waqif]]'s architectural and historical identity. Parts constructed after the 1950s were demolished whereas older structures were refurbished. The restoration was completed in 2008.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Exell|first1=Karen|last2=Rico|first2=Trinidad|title=Cultural Heritage in the Arabian Peninsula: Debates, Discourses and Practices|publisher=Ashgate|year=2014|isbn=978-1-4094-7009-0|page=199}}</ref> [[Katara Cultural Village]] was opened in the city in 2010 and has hosted the [[Doha Tribeca Film Festival]] since then.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://theculturetrip.com/middle-east/qatar/articles/katara-the-cultural-village/|author=Elspeth Black|title=Katara: The Cultural Village|publisher=The Culture Trip|access-date=14 June 2015|archive-date=11 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171011210323/https://theculturetrip.com/middle-east/qatar/articles/katara-the-cultural-village/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
The main outcome of the [[World Trade Organization Ministerial Conference of 2013]] was the Trade Facilitation Agreement.  The agreement aims to make it easier and cheaper to import and export by improving customs procedures and making rules more transparent.  Reducing global trade costs by 1% would increase worldwide income by more than US$40 billion, 65% of which would go to developing countries.  The gains from the Trade Facilitation Agreement are expected to be distributed among all countries and regions, with developing landlocked countries benefiting the most.<ref name="WTO"/>
The Trade Facilitation Agreement will enter into force upon its ratification by 2/3 of WTO Members. The EU ratified the agreement in October 2015.<ref name="WTO"/>
In Bali, WTO members also agreed on a series of Doha agriculture and development issues.<ref name="WTO">{{cite web |title=Doha Development Agenda - Trade - European Commission |url=https://ec.europa.eu/trade/policy/eu-and-wto/doha-development-agenda/ |website=ec.europa.eu |access-date=16 October 2019 |archive-date=15 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191015104813/https://ec.europa.eu/trade/policy/eu-and-wto/doha-development-agenda/ |url-status=live }} [[File:CC-BY icon.svg|50px]] Material was copied from this source, which is available under a [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171016050101/https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ |date=16 October 2017 }}.</ref>
Now modernizing the city while preserving traditions is part of the country's long-term plan, [[Qatar National Vision 2030]].
==Geography==
{{see also|Geography of Qatar}}
[[File:Doha, Qatar.JPG|thumb|upright=0.85|left|A view of Doha from the [[International Space Station]] in 2010 highlights the rapid development the city underwent since the discovery of oil in the 1960s.]]
===Topography and geology===
Doha is located on the central-east portion of Qatar, bordered by the [[Persian Gulf]] on its coast. Its elevation is {{convert|10|m|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.qatar.climatemps.com/map.php|title=Map of Doha, Qatar|publisher=Climatemps.com|access-date=15 June 2015|archive-date=18 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151118124233/http://www.qatar.climatemps.com/map.php|url-status=live}}</ref> Doha is highly urbanized. [[Land reclamation]] off the coast has added 400 hectares of land and 30&nbsp;km of coastline.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.iadc-dredging.com/ul/cms/fck-uploaded/documents/PDF%20Articles/article-new-land-by-the-sea.pdf|title=New land by the sea: Economically and socially, land reclamation pays|page=4|publisher=International Association of Dredging Companies|access-date=15 June 2015|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304043810/https://www.iadc-dredging.com/ul/cms/fck-uploaded/documents/PDF%20Articles/article-new-land-by-the-sea.pdf}}</ref> Half of the 22&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup> of surface area which [[Hamad International Airport]] was constructed on was reclaimed land.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dredgingtoday.com/2014/06/03/deme-doha-airport-built-on-reclaimed-land-becomes-fully-operational/|title=DEME: Doha Airport Built on Reclaimed Land Becomes Fully Operational|publisher=Dredging Today|date=3 June 2014|access-date=15 June 2015|archive-date=11 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171011210540/http://www.dredgingtoday.com/2014/06/03/deme-doha-airport-built-on-reclaimed-land-becomes-fully-operational/|url-status=live}}</ref> The geology of Doha is primarily composed of weathered unconformity on the top of the [[Eocene]] period Dammam Formation, forming [[dolomite (mineral)|dolomitic]] [[limestone]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://originsofdoha.files.wordpress.com/2015/06/2015090-7235-bidda-gpr-report.pdf|title=Geophysical GPR Survey|author=Ed Blinkhorn|publisher=The Origins of Doha Project|date=April 2015|access-date=15 June 2015|archive-date=7 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220507042938/https://originsofdoha.files.wordpress.com/2015/06/2015090-7235-bidda-gpr-report.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
===Wildlife===
[[Feral cat|Street cat]]s, having first been introduced in the 1960s to deal with the country's rodent infestations, are now widespread in Doha, with government estimates putting the total population at between 2 million and 3 million.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Orrell|first1=Lauren|url=https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/cats-are-stealing-the-world-cup-limelight-but-not-everythings-purrfect-for-qatars-felines/pisjo34qt|title=Cats are stealing the World Cup limelight, but not everything's purrfect for Qatar's felines|publisher=SBS News|date=10 December 2022|accessdate=22 July 2024}}</ref> The [[Gulf short-fingered gecko|Gulf sand gecko]], having been first observed in Qatar on Doha's islands in 2013, is now also found on the promontory in coastal and saline places.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.enature.qa/specie/gulf-sand-gecko/|title=Gulf Sand Gecko|publisher=Qatar e-Nature|accessdate=22 July 2024}}</ref>
Common vegetation found in Doha include creeping sorrel (''[[Oxalis corniculata]]'') as a turf [[weed]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.enature.qa/specie/creeping-sorrel/|title=Creeping Sorrel|publisher=Qatar e-Nature|accessdate=21 July 2024}}</ref> winter cherry (''[[Physalis angulata]]'') as a weed,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.enature.qa/specie/winter-cherry/|title=Winter Cherry|publisher=Qatar e-Nature|accessdate=21 July 2024}}</ref> rye grass (''[[Lolium rigidum]]'') in cultivated areas,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.enature.qa/specie/rye-grass/|title=Rye Grass|publisher=Qatar e-Nature|accessdate=21 July 2024}}</ref> ''qurdi'' (''[[Ochradenus baccatus]]'') near roadsides,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.enature.qa/specie/qurdi/|title=Qurdi|publisher=Qatar e-Nature|accessdate=21 July 2024}}</ref> indigofera (''[[Indigofera oblongifolia]]'') near the central market area,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.enature.qa/specie/indigofera/|title=Indigofera|publisher=Qatar e-Nature|accessdate=21 July 2024}}</ref> curved hard grass (''[[Parapholis incurva]]'') near the coast,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.enature.qa/specie/curved-hard-grass/|title=Curved Hard-grass|publisher=Qatar e-Nature|accessdate=21 July 2024}}</ref> cat's tail (''[[Typha domingensis]]'') near moist areas,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.enature.qa/specie/cats-tail/|title=Cat's-tail|publisher=Qatar e-Nature|accessdate=21 July 2024}}</ref> oat brome (''[[Bromus danthoniae]]'') near the [[Al Sadd (Qatar)|Al Sadd]] area,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.enature.qa/specie/oat-brome/|title=Oat Brome|publisher=Qatar e-Nature|accessdate=21 July 2024}}</ref> and ''ndeewa'' (''[[Cressa cretica]]'').<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.enature.qa/specie/rosin-weed/|title=Ndeewa|publisher=Qatar e-Nature|accessdate=21 July 2024}}</ref>
Flowers of the sacred datura (''[[Datura innoxia]]''),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.enature.qa/specie/sacred-datura/|title=Sacred Datura|publisher=Qatar e-Nature|accessdate=21 July 2024}}</ref> crown daisy (''[[Glebionis coronaria]]''),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.enature.qa/specie/crown-daisy/|title=Crown Daisy|publisher=Qatar e-Nature|accessdate=21 July 2024}}</ref> wild chamomile (''[[Matricaria chamomilla]]''),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.enature.qa/specie/wild-chamomile/|title=Wild Chamomile|publisher=Qatar e-Nature|accessdate=21 July 2024}}</ref> and glandular speedwell (''[[Veronica cymbalaria]]'')<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.enature.qa/specie/glandular-speedwell/|title=Glandular Speedwell|publisher=Qatar e-Nature|accessdate=21 July 2024}}</ref> have also been observed in rare instances, the latter as a weed. Herbs such as ''rabl'' (''[[Plantago psyllium]]''), which is found primarily near roadsides, and ''shih'' (''[[Artemisia inculta]]'')<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.enature.qa/specie/shih/|title=Shih|publisher=Qatar e-Nature|accessdate=21 July 2024}}</ref> also occur infrequently.
''[[Prosopis juliflora]]'', a type of [[mesquite]] tree locally known as ''ghoweif'', is notable for having been the only feature on Palm Tree Island in the past. It was a previously popular tree cultivated around Qatar's urban areas, but this practice was stopped since 2005 and since then attempts have been made to eliminate traces of the tree, to varying degrees of success.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.enature.qa/specie/mesquite/|title=Mesquite|publisher=Qatar e-Nature|accessdate=21 July 2024}}</ref>
===Islands and coast===
[[File:Pearl-Qatar Doha Qatar 11Nov2017 SkySat.jpg|thumb|The [[The Pearl-Qatar|Pearl]] is a purpose-built artificial island off the coast of Doha, connected to the mainland by a bridge.]]
[[The Pearl-Qatar|The Pearl]] is an [[artificial island]] in Doha with a surface area of nearly {{convert|400|ha|acre|abbr=on|-2}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gluckman.com/ArtificialIslands.html|author=Ron Gluckman|title=Artificial Islands: In Dubai, a world, and universe of new real estate|publisher=Gluckman|date=May 2008|access-date=15 June 2015|archive-date=24 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150424211940/http://www.gluckman.com/ArtificialIslands.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The total project has been estimated to cost $15 billion upon completion.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wonderfulengineering.com/say-hello-to-pearl-qatar-the-worlds-most-luxurious-artificial-island/|title=Say Hello To Pearl Qatar – The World's Most Luxurious Artificial Island|date=12 December 2014|publisher=Wonderful Engineering|access-date=15 June 2015|archive-date=29 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150429094157/http://wonderfulengineering.com/say-hello-to-pearl-qatar-the-worlds-most-luxurious-artificial-island/|url-status=live}}</ref> Other islands off Doha's coast include Palm Tree Island, Shrao's Island, [[Al Safliya Island]], and [[Al Aaliya Island]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineqatar.com/attractions/islands-qatar.aspx|title=Qatar islands|publisher=Online Qatar|access-date=15 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151118115848/http://www.onlineqatar.com/attractions/islands-qatar.aspx|archive-date=18 November 2015}}</ref>
In a 2010 survey of Doha's coastal waters conducted by the [[Qatar Statistics Authority]], it was found that its maximum depth was {{convert|7.5|meters}} and minimum depth was {{convert|2|meters}}. Furthermore, the waters had an average pH of 7.83, a [[salinity]] of 49.0 psu, an average temperature of 22.7&nbsp;°C and 5.5&nbsp;mg/L of dissolved oxygen.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mdps.gov.qa/en/knowledge/Publications/Economic/Eco_Qatar_Infrastructure_Statistics_En_2012.pdf|title=Qatar Infrastructure Statistics|publisher=Qatar Statistics Authority|page=29|date=May 2012|access-date=18 March 2019|archive-date=29 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200729234830/https://www.mdps.gov.qa/en/knowledge/Publications/Economic/Eco_Qatar_Infrastructure_Statistics_En_2012.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>
===Climate===
Doha has a [[hot desert climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification]] ''BWh'') with long, extremely hot summers and short, mild to warm winters. The average high temperatures between May and September surpass {{convert|38|C|F|abbr=on}} and often approach {{convert|45|C|0}}. Humidity is usually the lowest in May and June. [[Dewpoint]]s can surpass {{convert|30|C|F|abbr=on}} in the summer.  Throughout the summer, the city averages almost no precipitation, and less than {{convert|20|mm|in|2|abbr=on}} during other months.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wunderground.com/NORMS/DisplayIntlNORMS.asp?CityCode=41170&Units=both |title=Doha weather information |publisher=Wunderground.com |date=2010-06-10 |access-date=2010-06-27 |archive-date=2011-06-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604101321/http://www.wunderground.com/NORMS/DisplayIntlNORMS.asp?CityCode=41170&Units=both }}</ref> Rainfall is scarce, at a total of {{convert|75|mm|in|2|abbr=on}} per year, falling on isolated days mostly between October and March. The winter's days are relativity warm while the sun is up and cool during the night. The temperature rarely drops below {{convert|7|C|F|abbr=on}}.<ref name= NOAA/> The highest temperature recorded was {{convert|50.4|C|F|abbr=on}} on 14 July 2010, which is the highest temperature to have ever been recorded in Qatar.<ref>{{cite web|last=Masters|first=Jeff|title=Bolivia ties its all-time heat record|url=http://www.wunderground.com/blog/JeffMasters/comment.html?entrynum=1701|work=Weather Underground|publisher=Dr. Jeff Masters' WunderBlog|access-date=23 November 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101124020718/http://www.wunderground.com/blog/JeffMasters/comment.html?entrynum=1701|archive-date=24 November 2010}}</ref>
{{Weather box
|location = Doha (1962–2013, extremes 1962–2013)
|metric first = Yes
|single line = Yes
|Jan record high C = 32.4
|Feb record high C = 36.5
|Mar record high C = 41.5
|Apr record high C = 46.0
|May record high C = 47.7
|Jun record high C = 49.1
|Jul record high C = 50.4
|Aug record high C = 48.6
|Sep record high C = 46.2
|Oct record high C = 43.8
|Nov record high C = 38.0
|Dec record high C = 32.7
|year record high C =
|Jan high C = 22.0
|Feb high C = 23.4
|Mar high C = 27.3
|Apr high C = 32.5
|May high C = 38.8
|Jun high C = 41.6
|Jul high C = 41.9
|Aug high C = 40.9
|Sep high C = 38.9
|Oct high C = 35.4
|Nov high C = 29.6
|Dec high C = 24.4
|year high C =
|Jan mean C = 17.5
|Feb mean C = 18.9
|Mar mean C = 22.3
|Apr mean C = 27.1
|May mean C = 32.5
|Jun mean C = 35.1
|Jul mean C = 36.1
|Aug mean C = 35.5
|Sep mean C = 33.3
|Oct mean C = 30.0
|Nov mean C = 25.0
|Dec mean C = 20.0
|year mean C =
|Jan low C = 13.5
|Feb low C = 14.4
|Mar low C = 17.3
|Apr low C = 21.4
|May low C = 26.1
|Jun low C = 28.5
|Jul low C = 30.2
|Aug low C = 30.0
|Sep low C = 27.7
|Oct low C = 24.6
|Nov low C = 20.4
|Dec low C = 15.6
|year low C =
|Jan record low C = 3.8
|Feb record low C = 5.0
|Mar record low C = 8.2
|Apr record low C = 10.5
|May record low C = 15.2
|Jun record low C = 21.0
|Jul record low C = 23.5
|Aug record low C = 22.4
|Sep record low C = 20.3
|Oct record low C = 16.6
|Nov record low C = 11.8
|Dec record low C = 6.4
|year record low C =
|Jan precipitation mm = 13.2
|Feb precipitation mm = 17.1
|Mar precipitation mm = 16.1
|Apr precipitation mm = 8.7
|May precipitation mm = 3.6
|Jun precipitation mm = 0.0
|Jul precipitation mm = 0.0
|Aug precipitation mm = 0.0
|Sep precipitation mm = 0.0
|Oct precipitation mm = 1.1
|Nov precipitation mm = 3.3
|Dec precipitation mm = 12.1
|year precipitation mm =
|unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm
|Jan precipitation days = 1.7
|Feb precipitation days = 2.1
|Mar precipitation days = 1.8
|Apr precipitation days = 1.4
|May precipitation days = 0.2
|Jun precipitation days = 0.0
|Jul precipitation days = 0.0
|Aug precipitation days = 0.0
|Sep precipitation days = 0.0
|Oct precipitation days = 0.1
|Nov precipitation days = 0.2
|Dec precipitation days = 1.3
|year precipitation days =
|Jan humidity = 74
|Feb humidity = 71
|Mar humidity = 63
|Apr humidity = 55
|May humidity = 45
|Jun humidity = 45
|Jul humidity = 50
|Aug humidity = 61
|Sep humidity = 62
|Oct humidity = 65
|Nov humidity = 68
|Dec humidity = 74
|year humidity =
|Jan sun = 244.9
|Feb sun = 224.0
|Mar sun = 241.8
|Apr sun = 273.0
|May sun = 325.5
|Jun sun = 342.0
|Jul sun = 325.5
|Aug sun = 328.6
|Sep sun = 306.0
|Oct sun = 303.8
|Nov sun = 276.0
|Dec sun = 241.8
|year sun =
|Jand sun = 7.9
|Febd sun = 8.0
|Mard sun = 7.8
|Aprd sun = 9.1
|Mayd sun = 10.5
|Jund sun = 11.4
|Juld sun = 10.5
|Augd sun = 10.6
|Sepd sun = 10.2
|Octd sun = 9.8
|Novd sun = 9.2
|Decd sun = 7.8
|yeard sun =
|source 1 = NOAA (precipitation-rainy days-dew point 1962-1992)<ref name= NOAA>{{cite web
| url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/pub/data/normals/WMO/1961-1990/RA-II/QR/41170.TXT |type=TXT
| title = Doha International Airport Climate Normals 1962-1992
| publisher = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]]
| access-date = September 29, 2016
| archive-date = 11 October 2017
| archive-url = https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20171011210321/ftp://ftp.atdd.noaa.gov/pub/GCOS/WMO-Normals/RA-II/QR/41170.TXT
| url-status = live
}}</ref>
|source 2 = Qatar Meteorological Department (Climate Normals 1962–2013)<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://www.qweather.gov.qa/ClimateInfo.aspx
| title = Climate Information For Doha
| publisher = Qatar Meteorological Department
| language = en
| access-date = November 27, 2016
| archive-date = November 27, 2016
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20161127220143/http://www.qweather.gov.qa/ClimateInfo.aspx
}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ogimet.com/cgi-bin/gsynres?ind=41170&ano=2021&mes=3&day=19&hora=0&min=0&ndays=30 |title=41170: Doha International Airport (Qatar) |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=19 March 2021 |website=ogimet.com |publisher=[[OGIMET]] |access-date=19 March 2021 |quote= |archive-date=7 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220407170700/https://www.ogimet.com/cgi-bin/gsynres?ind=41170&ano=2021&mes=3&day=19&hora=0&min=0&ndays=30 |url-status=live }}</ref>}}
==Demographics==
{{see also|Demographics of Qatar}}
{{Historical populations
|clear = right
|align = right
|type =
|footnote =
| percentages = pagr
|1820<ref name="origins2"/>| 250
|1893<ref name="zekeriya"/>| 6000
|1970<ref name="kobaisi">{{cite web|url=http://etheses.dur.ac.uk/1856/1/1856.pdf|title=The Development of Education in Qatar, 1950–1970|author=Abdulla Juma Kobaisi|publisher=Durham University|page=11|access-date=17 June 2015|archive-date=18 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150618115926/http://etheses.dur.ac.uk/1856/1/1856.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>| 80000
|1986<ref name="Encyclopædia Britannica">{{Britannica |id=168027 |title=Doha }}</ref>  | 217294
|1998<ref>{{cite book |author=Hassan Khayat |author2=Ismail Amer |author3=Saleh Arifi |author4=Ahmed Babaker |author5=Bassam Nasr |author6=Nizam Shafei |author7=Fatimah Al Kuwari |author8=Ali Ibrahim Sheib |author9=Mohammed Khazemi |author10=Nasser Fakhro |author11=Mohammed Al Kuwari |url=https://qspace.qu.edu.qa/handle/10576/4866 |title=موسوعة المعلومات القطرية (Qatar Information Encyclopedia) |publisher=Qatar University |year=1998 |language=ar |page=235 |access-date=25 August 2018 |archive-date=25 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180825110355/https://qspace.qu.edu.qa/handle/10576/4866 |url-status=live }}</ref>  | 264009
|2001<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tiscali.co.uk/reference/encyclopaedia/hutchinson/m0003599.html |title=Doha |publisher=Tiscali.co.uk |date=1984-02-21 |access-date=2010-06-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091105135524/http://www.tiscali.co.uk/reference/encyclopaedia/hutchinson/m0003599.html |archive-date=2009-11-05 }}</ref> | 299300
|2004<ref name="Encyclopædia Britannica"/> | 339847
|2005<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hotelrentalgroup.com/Qatar/Sheraton%20Doha%20Hotel%20&%20Resort.htm |title=Sheraton Doha Hotel & Resort &#124; Hotel discount bookings in Qatar |publisher=Hotelrentalgroup.com |access-date=2010-06-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100819070809/http://www.hotelrentalgroup.com/Qatar/Sheraton%20Doha%20Hotel%20%26%20Resort.htm |archive-date=2010-08-19 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hotelsdoha.eu/ |title=hotelsdoha.eu |publisher=hotelsdoha.eu |access-date=2013-03-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130609182915/http://www.hotelsdoha.eu/ |archive-date=2013-06-09 }}</ref> | 400051
|2010<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.geohive.com/cntry/qatar.aspx |title=Qatar population statistics |publisher=geohive.com |access-date=15 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150614025607/http://www.geohive.com/cntry/qatar.aspx |archive-date=14 June 2015 }}</ref> | 796947
|2015<ref name="OBGReport2016"/> | 956457
|2020<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.citypopulation.de/en/qatar/admin/1__ad_daw%E1%B8%A5ah/ |title=Ad-Dawḥah [Doha] |publisher=citypopulation.de |access-date=2024-02-10}}</ref> | 1,186,023
}}
{| class="wikitable" style="float: right; text-align: center; width: 14em"
! colspan="2"|Total population of the [[Doha Metropolitan Area]]<ref name="qix"/>
|-
! Year
! Metro population
|-
|'''1997'''
|align="center"|434,000<ref name="urbanevolution2"/>
|-
| '''2004'''
|align="center"|644,000<ref>{{cite book|title=World and Its Peoples|publisher=Marshall Cavendish|page=61|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=j894miuOqc4C|year=2006|isbn=978-0-7614-7571-2|access-date=15 June 2015|archive-date=24 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230324231228/https://books.google.com/books?id=j894miuOqc4C|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|'''2008'''
|align="center"|998,651<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamesbids.com/english/bids/dha2016.shtml |title=Doha 2016 Summer Olympic Games Bid |publisher=GamesBids.com |access-date=2010-06-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100704035422/http://www.gamesbids.com/english/bids/dha2016.shtml |archive-date=2010-07-04}}</ref>
|}
A significant portion of Qatar's population lives within Doha and its [[Doha Metropolitan Area|metropolitan area]].<ref name="crownrms"/> The district with the highest population density is the central area of Al Najada, which also accommodates the highest total population in the country. The population density across the greater Doha region ranges from 20,000 people per km<sup>2</sup> to 25-50 people per km<sup>2</sup>.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lusail.com/English/Background/Pages/Facts-and-Figures.aspx|title=Facts and figures|publisher=lusail.com|access-date=15 June 2015|archive-date=6 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150306214724/http://www.lusail.com/English/Background/Pages/Facts-and-Figures.aspx}}</ref> Doha witnessed explosive growth rates in population in the first decade of the 21st century, absorbing the majority of the thousands of people then immigrating to Qatar every month.<ref>{{cite report |last=De Bel-Air |first=Françoise |year=2017 |title=Demography, Migration, and the Labour Market in Qatar |url=https://gulfmigration.org/media/pubs/exno/GLMM_EN_2017_03.pdf |url-status=live |publisher=[[European University Institute]] and the [[Gulf Research Center]] |id=GLMM - EN - No. 3/2017 |access-date=2020-03-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191228202703/https://gulfmigration.org/media/pubs/exno/GLMM_EN_2017_03.pdf |archive-date=2019-12-28}}</ref>{{rp|6}} Doha's population is around one million, with the population of the city more than doubling from 2000 to 2010.<ref name="OBGReport2016"/>
===Ethnicity and languages===
The population of Doha is overwhelmingly composed of [[expatriates]], with [[Qatari]] nationals forming a minority. The largest portion of expatriates in Qatar are from South-East and [[South Asia]]n countries, mainly [[India]], [[Pakistan]], [[Sri Lanka]], [[Nepal]], [[Philippines]], and [[Bangladesh]] with large numbers of expatriates also coming from the [[Levant]] [[Arab]] countries, Djibouti, [[Somalia]], North Africa, and [[East Asia]]. Doha is also home to many expatriates from [[Europe]], [[North America]], [[South Africa]] and [[Australia]].<ref name="qcri"/>
[[File:Bilingual traffic sign qatar.jpg|thumb|left|A typical [[bilingual]] traffic sign in Doha denotes the zone numbers, street names and street numbers of two perpendicular streets.]]
[[Arabic language|Arabic]] is the official language of Qatar. [[English language|English]] is commonly used as a second language,<ref>{{cite book|last1=Baker|first1=Colin|last2=Jones|first2=Sylvia Prys|title=Encyclopedia of Bilingualism and Bilingual Education|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YgtSqB9oqDIC|publisher=Multilingual Matters|year=1998|page=429|isbn=978-1-85359-362-8|access-date=16 June 2015|archive-date=11 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230211035950/https://books.google.com/books?id=YgtSqB9oqDIC|url-status=live}}</ref> and a rising [[lingua franca]], especially in commerce.<ref>{{cite news|last=Guttenplan|first=D. D.|title=Battling to Preserve Arabic From English's Onslaught|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/11/world/middleeast/11iht-educlede11.html|work=The New York Times|access-date=24 November 2013|date=11 June 2012|archive-date=20 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201120045411/https://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/11/world/middleeast/11iht-educlede11.html|url-status=live}}</ref> As there is a large expatriate population in Doha, languages such as [[Malayalam language|Malayalam]], [[Tamil language|Tamil]], [[Bengali language|Bengali]], [[Tagalog language|Tagalog]], [[Spanish language|Spanish]], [[Sinhala language|Sinhala]], [[French language|French]], [[Urdu language|Urdu]] and [[Hindi]] are widely spoken.<ref name="qcri">{{cite web|url=http://www.qcri.com/app/media/2222|title=Socio-geographic map of Doha|publisher=Qatar Computing Research Institute |author=Humaira Tasnim |author2=Abhay Valiyaveettil |author3=[[Ingmar Weber]] |author4=Venkata Kiran Garimella|access-date=15 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305100842/http://www.qcri.com/app/media/2222|archive-date=5 March 2016}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable floatright" style="text-align: center; width: 25em"
! colspan="4"|Registered live births in Doha by nationality<ref name="qix">{{cite web|url=http://www.qix.gov.qa/portal/page/portal/qix/subject_area?subject_area=176 |title=Population statistics |publisher=Qatar Information Exchange |access-date=15 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150701123930/http://www.qix.gov.qa/portal/page/portal/qix/subject_area?subject_area=176 |archive-date=1 July 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.qsa.gov.qa |title=WELCOME TO Qatar Statistics Authority WEBSITE |publisher=Qsa.gov.qa |access-date=2013-03-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080821114004/http://www.qsa.gov.qa/ |archive-date=2008-08-21 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.psa.gov.qa/en/statistics1/pages/topicslisting.aspx?parent=Population&child=BirthsDeaths|title=Statistics: Births & Deaths|publisher=Qatar Planning & Statistics Authority|access-date=23 March 2022|archive-date=25 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225023445/https://www.psa.gov.qa/en/statistics1/pages/topicslisting.aspx?parent=Population&child=BirthsDeaths|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
! Year !! Qatari !! Non-Qatari !! Total
|-
| '''2001''' || 2,080 || 3,619 || 5,699
|-
| '''2002''' || 1,875 || 3,657 || 5,532
|-
| '''2003''' || 2,172 || 4,027 || 6,199
|-
| '''2004''' || 2,054 || 3,760 || 5,814
|-
| '''2005''' || 1,767 || 3,899 || 5,666
|-
| '''2006''' || 1,908 || 4,116 || 6,024
|-
| '''2007''' || 1,913 || 4,708 || 6,621
|-
| '''2008''' || 1,850 || 5,283 || 7,133
|-
| '''2009''' || 2,141 || 5,979 || 8,120
|-
| '''2010'''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.qix.gov.qa/portal/page/portal/QIXPOC/Documents/QIX%20Knowledge%20Base/Publication/Population%20Statistics/Vital/Source_QSA/Births_Deaths_Foetal_Deaths_QSA_AnBu_AE_2010.pdf|title=Births and deaths in 2010|publisher=Qatar Statistics Authority|website=Qatar Information Exchange|access-date=3 May 2015|archive-url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20150509184952/http://www.qix.gov.qa/portal/page/portal/QIXPOC/Documents/QIX%20Knowledge%20Base/Publication/Population%20Statistics/Vital/Source_QSA/Births_Deaths_Foetal_Deaths_QSA_AnBu_AE_2010.pdf|archive-date=9 May 2015}}</ref> || 1,671 || 5,919 || 7,590
|-
| '''2011'''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.qix.gov.qa/portal/page/portal/QIXPOC/Documents/QIX%20Knowledge%20Base/Publication/Population%20Statistics/Vital/Source_QSA/Births_Deaths_Foetal_Deaths_QSA_AnBu_AE_2011.pdf.pdf|title=Births and deaths in 2011|publisher=Qatar Statistics Authority|website=Qatar Information Exchange|access-date=3 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160923235608/http://www.qix.gov.qa/portal/page/portal/QIXPOC/Documents/QIX%20Knowledge%20Base/Publication/Population%20Statistics/Vital/Source_QSA/Births_Deaths_Foetal_Deaths_QSA_AnBu_AE_2011.pdf.pdf|archive-date=23 September 2016}}</ref> || 1,859 || 6,580 || 8,439
|-
| '''2015''' || 1,949 || 9,215 || 11,164
|-
| '''2020''' || 4,005 || 15,381 || 19,386
|}
In 2004, the Foreign Ownership of Real Estate Law was passed, permitting non-Qatari citizens to buy land in designated areas of Doha, including the [[West Bay Lagoon]], the [[Qatar Pearl]], and the new [[Lusail|Lusail City]].<ref name="demystifying"/> Prior to this, expatriates were prohibited from owning land in Qatar. Ownership by foreigners in Qatar entitles them to a renewable residency permit, which allows them to live and work in Qatar.<ref name="crownrms">{{cite web|url=http://web.crownrms.com/crown/Publicit.nsf/58d4471085c17e844825692e00167a60/11991e6448f008d248257393001008a0/$FILE/Dubai%20and%20Doha%20Unparalled%20Expansion%20by%20Marco%20Dilenge.pdf|title=Dubai and Doha: Unparalleled Expansion|author=Marco Dilenge|publisher=Crown Records Management UK|access-date=15 June 2015|archive-date=5 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305034200/http://web.crownrms.com/crown/Publicit.nsf/58d4471085c17e844825692e00167a60/11991e6448f008d248257393001008a0/$FILE/Dubai%20and%20Doha%20Unparalled%20Expansion%20by%20Marco%20Dilenge.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>
===Religion===
{{main|Religion in Qatar}}
The majority of residents in Doha are [[Islam|Muslim]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://globalreligiousfutures.org/countries/qatar/religious_demography.pdf|title=Religious demography of Qatar|publisher=US Department of State|access-date=15 June 2015|archive-date=24 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221124214930/http://globalreligiousfutures.org/countries/qatar/religious_demography.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> A majority of mosques are either [[Salafi movement|Salafi]] or [[Sunni]]-oriented.<ref>Oman Economic and Development Strategy Handbook,  International Business Publications, USA - 2009, page 40</ref>
[[Catholicism|Catholic]]s account for over 90% of the 150,000 [[Christianity|Christian]] population in Doha.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2008/03/2008525173738882540.html|title=Qatar opens first church, quietly|publisher=Al Jazeera|author=Shabina Khatri|date=20 June 2008|access-date=15 June 2015|archive-date=4 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190604114900/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2008/03/2008525173738882540.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Following decrees by the [[Emir]] for the allocation of land to [[church (building)|churches]], the first Catholic church, [[Catholic Church of Our Lady of the Rosary (Doha)|Our Lady of the Rosary]], was opened in Doha in March 2008. The church structure is discreet and Christian symbols are not displayed on the outside of the building.<ref>{{cite news |url = http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/faith/article2099049.ece |author = Sonia Verma |work = The Times |title = Qatar hosts its first Christian church |date = 14 March 2008 |access-date = 15 June 2015 |archive-date = 18 June 2015 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150618174605/http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/faith/article2099049.ece |url-status = live }}</ref> Several other churches exist in Doha, including the [http://orthodox-world.org/en/i/15826/St.Isaac_and_St._George_Greek_Orthodox_Church_of_Qatar_Doha St.Isaac and St. George Greek Orthodox Church of Qatar, Doha, Qatar] St.Isaac and St. George Greek Orthodox Church of Qatar the [[Syro-Malabar Church]], [[Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church|Malankara Orthodox Church]], [[Mar Thoma Syrian Church|Mar Thoma Church]] (affiliated with the Anglicans, but not part of the Communion), [[Church of South India|CSI Church]], [[Syro-Malankara Catholic Church|Syro-Malankara Church]] and a [[Pentecostalism|Pentecostal]] church.
==Administration==
===Districts===
{{Main|List of communities in Doha}}
At the turn of the 20th century, Doha was divided into 9 main districts.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Jaidah|first1=Ibrahim|last2=Bourennane|first2=Malika|title=The History of Qatari Architecture 1800-1950|publisher=Skira|year=2010|page=25|isbn=978-88-6130-793-3}}</ref> In the 2010 census, there were more than 60 districts recorded in [[Doha Municipality]].<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.qsa.gov.qa/QatarCensus/Populations.aspx| title=Census 2010| publisher=Qatar Statistics Authority| year=2010| access-date=2013-07-25| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100709192746/http://www.qsa.gov.qa/QatarCensus/Populations.aspx| archive-date=9 July 2010}}</ref> Some of the districts of Doha include:
[[File:QatarCentralBankOffice.jpg|thumb|Qatar's [[Qatar Central Bank|Central Bank]] is situated in the [[Al Souq (Doha)|Al Souq]] district, close to the waterfront.]]
{{columns-list|colwidth=22em|
*[[Al Bidda]] ({{lang|ar|البدع}})
*[[Al Dafna]] ({{lang|ar|الدفنة}})
*[[Al Ghanim]] ({{lang|ar|الغانم}})
*[[Al Markhiya]] ({{lang|ar|المرخية}})
*[[Al Sadd (Qatar)|Al Sadd]] ({{lang|ar|السد}})
*[[Al Waab]] ({{lang|ar|الوعب}})
*[[Bin Mahmoud]] ({{lang|ar|فريج بن محمود}})
*[[Madinat Khalifa North|Madinat Khalifa]] ({{lang|ar|مدينة خليفة}})
*[[Mushayrib|Musheireb]] ({{lang|ar|مشيرب}})
*[[Najma (Doha)|Najma]] ({{lang|ar|نجمه}})
*[[Old Airport (Doha)|Old Airport]] ({{lang|ar|المطار القديم}})
*[[West Bay Lagoon|Qutaifiya]] ({{lang|ar|القطيفية}})
*[[Ras Abu Aboud]] ({{lang|ar|راس أبو عبود}})
*[[Rumeilah (Doha)|Rumeilah]] ({{lang|ar|الرميلة}})
*[[Umm Ghuwailina]] ({{lang|ar|ام غو يلينه}})
*[[West Bay (Doha)|West Bay]] ({{lang|ar|الخليج الغربي}})
}}
Some districts, such as [[As Salatah al Jadidah]] and Fereej Bin Mahmoud, essentially function as neighborhoods designated for particular tribes, as these tribes were the earliest to settle the area and were majority landholders.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://rpl.hds.harvard.edu/faq/tribal-families-qatar|title=Tribal Families in Qatar|publisher=Harvard Divinity School|accessdate=25 April 2024}}</ref> Shortly after Qatar gained independence, many of the districts of old Doha including [[Al Najada]], Al Asmakh and [[Al Hitmi|Old Al Hitmi]] faced gradual decline and as a result, much of their historical architecture has been demolished.<ref name="bouassa">{{cite journal|url=https://www.academia.edu/7412457|title=Al Asmakh historic district in Doha, Qatar: from an urban slum to living heritage|journal=Journal of Architectural Conservation|author=Djamel Bouassa|volume=20|issue=1|pages=1–14|access-date=10 July 2015|archive-date=6 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406052245/https://www.academia.edu/7412457|url-status=live}}</ref> Instead, the government shifted their focus toward the [[Doha Bay]] area, which housed vital business districts such as [[Al Dafna]] and [[West Bay (Doha)|West Bay]].<ref name="bouassa"/>
==Economy==
{{See also|Economy of Qatar}}
[[File:Parking lot for Mohammed bin Abdulwahab Mosque in Qatar.jpg|thumb|View of the city, with the [[QatarEnergy|Qatar petroleum district]] on the right]]
Doha is the economic center of Qatar. The city is the headquarters of numerous domestic and international organizations, including the country's largest oil and gas companies, [[QatarEnergy]] and [[QatarEnergy LNG]]. Doha's economy is built primarily on the revenue the country has made from its [[oil]] and [[natural gas]] industries.<ref name="dumper">{{cite book|title=Cities of the Middle East and North Africa: A Historical Encyclopedia|author=Michael Dumper|author2=Bruce E. Stanley|publisher=ABC-CLIO|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3SapTk5iGDkC&pg=PA138|year=2006|isbn=978-1-57607-919-5|page=138|access-date=11 July 2015|archive-date=12 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231212120320/https://books.google.com/books?id=3SapTk5iGDkC&pg=PA138|url-status=live}}</ref> Doha was included in Fortune's 15 best new cities for business in 2011.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Dawsey |first1=Josh |last2=Arora |first2=Rupali |url=https://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/global500/2011/hottest_cities/ |title=Global 500 2011: 15 best new cities for business |website=CNN Money |type=Interactive map requiring Adobe Flash Player. |access-date=2013-03-26 |archive-date=3 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203105327/https://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/global500/2011/hottest_cities/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Beginning in the late 20th century, the government launched numerous initiatives to diversify the country's economy to decrease its dependence on oil and gas resources. [[Doha International Airport]] was constructed in a bid to solidify the city's diversification into the tourism industry.<ref name="dumper"/> This was replaced by [[Hamad International Airport]] in 2014. The new airport is almost twice the size of the former and features two of the longest runways in the world.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://aasarchitecture.com/2014/05/hamad-international-airport-hok.html|title=Hamad International Airport by Hok|publisher=aasarchitecture.com|author=Marco Rinaldi|date=5 May 2014|access-date=10 July 2015|archive-date=11 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150711202142/http://aasarchitecture.com/2014/05/hamad-international-airport-hok.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Thirty-nine new hotels were under construction in the city in 2011.<ref name="bullivant"/>
[[File:QR aircraft at Hamad Airport, 07-2014.JPG|thumb|left|[[Qatar Airways]] aircraft on the [[Airport apron|apron]] of [[Hamad International Airport]]]]
As a result of Doha's rapid population boom and increased housing demands, real estate prices rose significantly through 2014.<ref name="housingdohanews">{{cite web|url=http://dohanews.co/reports-suggest-looming-housing-shortages-qatar/|title=Reports: Housing supply not keeping up with population rise|publisher=Doha News|author=Peter Kovessy|date=23 June 2014|access-date=10 July 2015|archive-date=13 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150713134719/http://dohanews.co/reports-suggest-looming-housing-shortages-qatar/|url-status=live}}</ref> Real estate prices experienced a further spike after Qatar won the rights to host the [[2022 FIFA World Cup]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bqdoha.com/2013/05/real-estate-prices-in-qatar-skyrocket|title=Real estate prices in Qatar skyrocket|publisher=BQ Doha|date=13 May 2013|author=Rohan Soman|access-date=10 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150712082505/http://www.bqdoha.com/2013/05/real-estate-prices-in-qatar-skyrocket|archive-date=12 July 2015|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Al Asmakh, a Qatari real estate firm, released a report in 2014 which revealed substantial increases in real estate prices following a peak in 2008. Prices increased 5 to 10% in the first quarter of 2014 from the end of 2013.<ref name="housingdohanews"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.alasmakhrealestate.com/images/news/MarketReport/Qatar%20Real%20Estate%20Market%20Report%20Q1%2014.pdf|title=Qatar Real Estate Report Q1 2014|publisher=Al Asmakh Real Estate Firm|date=2014|access-date=10 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150322080043/http://www.alasmakhrealestate.com/images/news/MarketReport/Qatar%20Real%20Estate%20Market%20Report%20Q1%2014.pdf|archive-date=22 March 2015|df=dmy-all}}</ref> A 2015 study conducted by [[Numbeo]], a crowd-sourced database, named Doha as the 10th most expensive city to live in globally.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.constructionweekonline.com/article-34319-doha-city-rents-are-worlds-tenth-most-expensive/|title=Doha city rents are world's tenth most expensive|publisher=Construction Week Online|author=Neha Batia|date=5 July 2015|access-date=10 July 2015|archive-date=2 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200802203240/https://www.constructionweekonline.com/article-34319-doha-city-rents-are-worlds-tenth-most-expensive/|url-status=live}}</ref> This rate of growth led to the development of planned communities in and around the city.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bqdoha.com/2015/03/oil-prices-and-real-estate-markets|title=Falling oil prices and real estate markets|publisher=BQ Doha|date=10 March 2015|access-date=10 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150712061929/http://www.bqdoha.com/2015/03/oil-prices-and-real-estate-markets|archive-date=12 July 2015|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Although the [[2010s oil glut|fall in oil prices since 2014]] and a [[Qatar diplomatic crisis|diplomatic crisis with Qatar's neighbors]] slowed growth in the city's population, government spending was increased to maintain the growth in real estate in [[Doha Metropolitan Area|metropolitan Doha]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Kerr |first=Simeon |date=17 October 2019 |title=Qatar pins growth hopes on domestic renewal |url=https://www.ft.com/content/39f1c556-cf30-11e9-b018-ca4456540ea6 |work=Financial Times |access-date=2020-03-21 |url-access=limited |archive-date=16 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221116102548/https://www.ft.com/content/39f1c556-cf30-11e9-b018-ca4456540ea6 |url-status=live }}</ref>
Expatriate workers remitted $60bn between 2006 and 2012, with 54 percent of the workers' [[remittance]]s of $60bn routed to Asian countries, followed by Arab nations that accounted for nearly half that volume (28 percent). India was the top destination of the remittances, followed by the Philippines, while the US, Egypt and the neighbouring UAE followed.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://thepeninsulaqatar.com/qatar/235307-expatriates-remit-60bn-in-7-years.html|title=Expatriates Remit $60bn in 7 years|access-date=2013-05-06|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130616033058/http://thepeninsulaqatar.com/qatar/235307-expatriates-remit-60bn-in-7-years.html|archive-date=2013-06-16}}</ref> Remittances in 2014 totaled $11.2 billion, amounting to 5.3% of Qatar's GDP.<ref>{{cite book |author=World Bank Group |year=2016 |title=Migration and Remittances Factbook 2016 |url=https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/23743 |edition=3rd |publisher=World Bank |doi=10.1596/978-1-4648-0319-2 |hdl=10986/23743 |doi-access=free |isbn=978-1-4648-0320-8 |access-date=21 March 2020 |archive-date=12 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230212005616/https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/23743 |url-status=live }}</ref>{{rp|45}}
===Tourism and retail===
[[File:Overhead view from a window in the Marsa Malaz Kempinski.jpg|thumb|View from the Marsa Malaz Kempinski in The Pearl]]
[[File:Al Hazm Mall in Al Markhiya.jpg|thumb|[[Al Hazm Mall]]]]
[[File:Entrance to iconic Sheraton Hotel in Doha, Qatar.jpg|thumb|left|[[Sheraton Grand Doha Resort & Convention Hotel]]]]
Doha is considered as the most important tourist city in Qatar. Qatar's tourism sector is also a key focus of its economic diversification strategy. The country is investing in the development of new tourism infrastructure, such as hotels and resorts, and promoting its cultural attractions, such as the [[Museum of Islamic Art, Doha|Museum of Islamic Art]] and the [[Katara Cultural Village]] to attract visitors from around the world. In addition, [[Qatar Airways]] has become one of the world's leading airlines, connecting the country to major cities across the globe. Qatar has also been attracting major international events to the country, such as the [[FIFA World Cup 2022]], which is expected to generate significant revenue for the country and boost its tourism sector. High and rising incomes in Qatar offer significant opportunities in culinary establishments and retail sectors. Premium and healthy brands are especially well received. Convenience food is also an increasingly important sector for younger Qataris and visitors.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://group.atradius.com/press/atradius-news/qatar-looks-to-world-cup-business-boost.html |title=Qatar looks to World Cup business boost |access-date=18 November 2023 |archive-date=18 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231118094412/https://group.atradius.com/press/atradius-news/qatar-looks-to-world-cup-business-boost.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In recent years, Qatar has been taking steps to diversify its economy and reduce its reliance on oil and gas revenues. The country has launched several initiatives aimed at promoting non-oil sectors such as tourism, finance, and technology. For example, Qatar has invested heavily in building world-class infrastructure, including the [[Hamad International Airport]] and the Qatar Free Zones Authority, to attract foreign investors and businesses to set up shop in the country. Moreover, Qatar has also been working towards creating a more business-friendly environment by streamlining regulations and offering incentives to start-ups and small businesses. The country's ambition in this area can already be seen in developments like the recently completed M7 building in downtown Doha. This futuristic five-story construction is described as an epicentre for innovation and entrepreneurship in design, fashion, and technology.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://qm.org.qa/en/about-us/m7/ |title=M7 is Qatar's epicenter for innovation and entrepreneurship in design, fashion and tech. |access-date=18 November 2023 |archive-date=18 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231118094413/https://qm.org.qa/en/about-us/m7/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The latest research by the [[World Travel and Tourism Council]] (WTTC) which highlighted the top 10 cities where international travelers spent the most in 2022, showed Doha, Qatar at the number 2 spot with $16.8 bn.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://economymiddleeast.com/news/qatar-second-globally-with-16-8-bn-spent-by-travelers-in-2022/ |title=Qatar second globally with $16.8 bn spent by travelers in 2022 |access-date=18 November 2023 |archive-date=18 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231118094426/https://economymiddleeast.com/news/qatar-second-globally-with-16-8-bn-spent-by-travelers-in-2022/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Qatar has received over 2.56 million visitors from January until 25 August 2023, exceeding the full year arrival figures from 2022, representing a 157 per cent increase over the same period last year, according to a report by Zawya citing figures released yesterday by [[Qatar Tourism Authority|Qatar Tourism (QT)]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230904-qatar-post-world-cup-sees-157-surge-in-tourism/ |title=Qatar post World Cup sees 157% surge in tourism |access-date=18 November 2023 |archive-date=18 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231118094408/https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230904-qatar-post-world-cup-sees-157-surge-in-tourism/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/world-cup-qatar-culture-clash-alcohol-11668527466 |title=World Cup Brings Two Million Visitors and an Epic Culture Clash to Qatar |access-date=18 November 2023 |archive-date=18 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231118094408/https://www.wsj.com/articles/world-cup-qatar-culture-clash-alcohol-11668527466 |url-status=live }}</ref> Doha named Arab tourism capital for 2023. Non-GCC tourists made up 66% of all visitors in October, an increase of 10% from the previous month 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://dohanews.co/doha-named-arab-tourism-capital-for-2023/ |title=Doha named Arab tourism capital for 2023 |date=14 December 2022 |access-date=24 November 2023 |archive-date=24 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231124124538/https://dohanews.co/doha-named-arab-tourism-capital-for-2023/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Doha in 2023 hosted [[International Horticultural Expo 2023 Doha Qatar|International Horticultural Expo 2023]], Spanning 1.7 million square meters, the event takes place in Al Bidda Park, one of the biggest parks in Doha which overlooks the Persian Gulf.<ref>{{Cite web |title=About Us |url=https://www.dohaexpo2023.gov.qa/en/about/ |access-date=25 November 2023 |archive-date=23 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231123113840/https://www.dohaexpo2023.gov.qa/en/about/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bie-paris.org/site/en/2021-doha|title=Expo 2021 Doha|website=www.bie-paris.org|access-date=25 November 2023|archive-date=25 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200625131804/https://www.bie-paris.org/site/en/2021-doha|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/24/11/2018/Qatar-to-host-Horticultural-Expo-2021|title=Qatar to host Horticultural Expo 2021|website=www.thepeninsulaqatar.com|date=24 November 2018|access-date=25 November 2023|archive-date=20 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190820013804/https://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/24/11/2018/Qatar-to-host-Horticultural-Expo-2021|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Architecture==
{{See also|Architecture of Qatar|List of tallest buildings in Qatar}}
=== Traditional architecture ===
[[File:Historic arcaded house in Old Al Ghanim district of Doha.jpg|thumb|left|Historic [[Arcade (architecture)|arcaded]] house in the [[Old Al Ghanim]] district]]
[[File:Traditional buildings at Katara at night.jpg|thumb|Traditional buildings at Katara Cultural Village]]
In Doha's traditional architecture, the primary building material was locally quarried [[limestone]], with walls typically measuring {{convert|0.4|m}} to {{convert|0.6|m}} thick, constructed using two rows of large facing stones with a core of mud, gravel, and smaller stones. These walls were then covered with clay-rich mud or [[gypsum]]-based render. [[Plaster]], known as ''juss'', was made from crushed [[beachrock]], shell, baked lime, or gypsum, and applied in three layers for both functional and decorative purposes. Roofing was characteristically flat, utilizing [[mangrove]] beams (''danshal'') imported from [[East Africa]], overlaid with split [[bamboo]], woven [[Reed (plant)|reed]], and [[Arecaceae|palm]] mats, then sealed with tamped earth.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Eddisford|first1=Daniel|last2=Carter|first2=Robert|url=https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10023452/1/Carter_Vernacular%20Architecture%20in%20Doha.pdf|title=The Vernacular Architecture of Doha, Qatar|publisher=University College London|pages=14–15|date=26 October 2016|accessdate=25 May 2024}}</ref> Distinctive architectural elements included colonnaded [[veranda]]s ([[liwan]]) with lintels made of mangrove poles bound with [[jute]] rope, and wooden [[waterspout]]s for drainage. Valuable materials such as wooden beams, windows, and doors were often recycled from older structures.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Eddisford|first1=Daniel|last2=Carter|first2=Robert|url=https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10023452/1/Carter_Vernacular%20Architecture%20in%20Doha.pdf|title=The Vernacular Architecture of Doha, Qatar|publisher=University College London|pages=15–16|date=26 October 2016|accessdate=25 May 2024}}</ref>
Many of the older structures (1960–1970s) in the Old Doha districts have been demolished to make space for new buildings.<ref name="bouassa"/> A number of schemes have been taken to preserve the city's cultural and architectural heritage, such as the [[Qatar Museums Authority]]'s 'Al Turath al Hai' ('living heritage') initiative.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://marhaba.qa/the-winners-of-the-old-doha-prize-competition-announced/|title=The Winners of the Old Doha Prize Competition Announced|publisher=Marhaba|date=26 November 2013|access-date=10 July 2015|archive-date=27 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180927165027/http://www.marhaba.qa/the-winners-of-the-old-doha-prize-competition-announced/}}</ref> Katara Cultural Village is a model village in Doha launched by [[Moza bint Nasser|Sheikha Moza bint Nasser]] under [[Qatar Foundation]] to preserve the cultural identity of the country.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.katara.net/english/about-katara/about-us/ |title=About us |publisher=Katara |access-date=17 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150722071207/http://www.katara.net/english/about-katara/about-us/ |archive-date=22 July 2015 }}</ref>
===Modern architecture===
[[File:Skyscrapers along a road in Al Dafna.jpg|thumb|Doha's [[Al Dafna]] area with the high-rises seen on the waterfront and the villa compounds and other residential areas seen in the background]]
During the mid-20th century, Qatar experienced a transition in its construction methods, marking a shift from traditional building techniques to more modern approaches. In the 1950s, a notable change was the adoption of [[concrete block]]s with shell inclusions. These blocks were likely produced locally and incorporated a distinctive shelly sand rich in small [[gastropod]] remains, a material abundant along Qatar's coastline.<ref name="eddisford13">{{cite web|last1=Eddisford|first1=Daniel|last2=Carter|first2=Robert|url=https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10023452/1/Carter_Vernacular%20Architecture%20in%20Doha.pdf|title=The Vernacular Architecture of Doha, Qatar|publisher=University College London|page=13|date=26 October 2016|accessdate=25 May 2024}}</ref>
As Qatar progressed into the latter half of the 20th century, construction methods continued to evolve. The use of shell-infused concrete blocks gradually gave way to more standardized building materials. This newer phase of construction is characterized by the use of plain concrete blocks without shell content and [[reinforced concrete]] structures. New materials such as manufactured wood products including [[plywood]] and metal materials such as [[corrugated iron]] were also introduced. This period also witnessed the widespread adoption of air conditioning systems.<ref name="eddisford13"/>
In 2011, more than 50 towers were under construction in Doha,<ref name="bullivant">{{cite book|last=Bullivant|first=Lucy|title=Masterplanning Futures|publisher=Routledge|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7xal23QYDW4C&pg=PA59|year=2012|page=59|isbn=978-0-415-55447-3}}</ref> the largest of which was the [[Doha Convention Center Tower]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/ss/08/10/1015_tallest_buildings/14.htm|title=The World's Tallest Buildings|publisher=Bloomberg|year=2010|access-date=10 July 2015|archive-date=14 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150714012644/http://www.bloomberg.com/ss/08/10/1015_tallest_buildings/14.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> Constructions were suspended in 2012 following concerns that the tower would impede flight traffic<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.constructionweekonline.com/article-15481-flight-concerns-stop-550m-doha-tower-development/ |title=Flight concerns stop 550m Doha tower development |publisher=Construction Week Online |date=31 January 2012 |access-date=10 July 2015 |archive-date=5 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121005132309/http://www.constructionweekonline.com/article-15481-flight-concerns-stop-550m-doha-tower-development/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and the site is being redeveloped into a park.
In 2014, [[Abdullah bin Hamad Al Attiyah|Abdullah Al Attiyah]], a senior government official, announced that Qatar would be spending $65bn on new infrastructure projects in upcoming years in preparation for the 2022 World Cup as well as progressing towards its objectives set out in the [[Qatar National Vision 2030]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.albawaba.com/business/qatar-construction-561913|title=Doha rolling out the dough for Qatar infrastructure, set to launch new projects worth $65 billion|website=Al Bawaba|date=17 March 2014|access-date=17 July 2015|archive-date=28 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150728143735/http://www.albawaba.com/business/qatar-construction-561913|url-status=live}}</ref>
[[Msheireb Downtown Doha]], a 31-hectare development costing an estimated $5bn, was dubbed the largest inner city redevelopment of its kind when launched. Comprises several quarters opened over different phases, Msheireb aims to preserve and enhance the historic downtown area.
===National Museum of Qatar===
[[File:TMQ 7961 copy.jpg|thumb|left|National Museum of Qatar]]
{{Main|National Museum of Qatar}}
The new [[National Museum of Qatar]] (NMoQ) opened to the public on March 28, 2019.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-03-27 |title=Expect the unexpected at the new National Museum of Qatar |url=https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2019/03/27/expect-the-unexpected-at-the-new-national-museum-of-qatar |access-date=2022-06-24 |website=The Art Newspaper - International art news and events |archive-date=31 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230531042719/https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2019/03/27/expect-the-unexpected-at-the-new-national-museum-of-qatar |url-status=live }}</ref> The museum features an innovative design by [[Pritzker Prize]]-winning architect [[Jean Nouvel]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-03-27 |title=Jean Nouvel on the Newly Completed National Museum of Qatar |url=https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/national-museum-of-qatar |access-date=2023-02-28 |website=Architectural Digest |language=en-US |archive-date=4 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230604172423/https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/national-museum-of-qatar |url-status=live }}</ref> that is inspired by the [[desert rose (crystal)|desert rose]] and grows organically around the original 20th century [[palace]] of [[Abdullah bin Jassim Al Thani|Sheikh Abdullah Bin Jassim Al Thani]]. This important monument to Qatar's past is now preserved as the heart of the new NMoQ.<ref>[http://www.qma.org.qa/index.php/en/collections/national-museum-of-qatar National Museum of Qatar] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130512212926/http://www.qma.org.qa/index.php/en/collections/national-museum-of-qatar |date=12 May 2013 }}</ref> The relation between the new and old building is part of creating the bridge between the past and the present advocated by [[Al-Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani|Sheikha Al Mayassa]] for it is the way to "define ourselves instead of forever being defined by others celebrating our identity."<ref>{{cite journal|last=Hanley|first=D.C.|title=A Desert Rose takes shape: plans for National Museum of Qatar Unveiled|journal=[[Washington Report on Middle East Affairs]]|volume=29|series=4|pages=32–33}}</ref> Located on a 1.5&nbsp;million-square-foot site at the south end of [[Doha Corniche]], the NMoQ building rises from the sea and is connected to the shore by two pedestrian bridges and a road bridge.
[[File:Torch Tower by Andy Ardiansyah (6142870171).jpg|thumb|[[Aspire Tower]]]]
===Doha Tower===
{{Main|Doha Tower}}
Doha Tower also known as ''Burj Doha'', and previously named ''Burj Qatar'' and ''Doha High Rise Office Building'',<ref>{{cite news|work=Doha News|url=http://dohanews.co/post/25085090949/chicago-group-names-burj-qatar-best-tall-building-in|title=Chicago group names Burj Qatar best tall building in MENA|date=20 October 2012|author=Shabinakhatri|accessdate=14 March 2013|archive-date=17 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130817062940/http://dohanews.co/post/25085090949/chicago-group-names-burj-qatar-best-tall-building-in|url-status=dead}}</ref> is a high rise tower in [[West Bay (Doha)|West Bay]], Doha. On October 18, 2012, the building received the [[CTBUH Skyscraper Award]] for the Best Tall Building Worldwide from the [[CTBUH]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ctbuh.org/Awards/OverviewofPastAwards/2012Awards/tabid/3342/language/en-GB/Default.aspx|title=Doha Tower Named Best Tall Building Worldwide|work=CTBUH 11th Annual Awards, 2012|publisher=Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat|date=19 October 2012|accessdate=14 March 2013|archive-date=27 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130327212719/http://www.ctbuh.org/Awards/OverviewofPastAwards/2012Awards/tabid/3342/language/en-GB/Default.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref> The $125-million office building, designed by French architect [[Jean Nouvel]], has a height of {{convert|238|m}}, with 46 stories.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dohanews.co/post/25085090949/chicago-group-names-burj-qatar-best-tall-building-in|title=Chicago group names Burj Qatar best tall building in MENA|publisher=Doha News|accessdate=14 July 2013|archive-date=17 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130817062940/http://dohanews.co/post/25085090949/chicago-group-names-burj-qatar-best-tall-building-in|url-status=dead}}</ref>
===Aspire Tower===
{{Main|Aspire Tower}}
[[Aspire Academy|Aspire]] Tower, also known as ''The Torch Doha'', is a {{convert|300|m|ft|adj=mid|-tall}} [[skyscraper]] hotel located in the [[Aspire Zone]] complex in Doha. Designed by architect Hadi Simaan and [[AREP]] and engineer Ove Arup and Partners,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hadisimaan.com/hospitality/sports_city_tower_doha_qatar/main_picture.html# |title=Sports City Tower, Doha, Qatar |publisher=Hadi Simaan |access-date=2011-01-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111002114802/http://www.hadisimaan.com/hospitality/sports_city_tower_doha_qatar/main_picture.html |archive-date=2011-10-02 |url-status=dead }}</ref> the tower served as the focal point for the 15th [[Asian Games]] hosted by Qatar in December 2006.
The tower is currently the [[List of tallest buildings in Doha, Qatar|tallest structure and building]] in Doha and Qatar.
===Museum of Islamic Art===
[[File:Museum of Islamic Art in Doha, Qatar (32673171432).jpg|thumb|left|The five-storeyed [[Museum of Islamic Art (Doha)|Museum of Islamic Art]] designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect I. M. Pei<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mia.org.qa/en/about/the-museum-building|title=Museum architecture|website=Mia.org.qa|language=en-gb|access-date=2018-05-14}}</ref>]]
{{Main|Museum of Islamic Art, Doha}}
Museum of Islamic Art, ''MIA'' is a [[museum]] on one end of the {{convert|7|km|mi|spell=in|sp=us|adj=mid|-long}} [[Doha Corniche|Corniche]] in Doha. As per the architect [[I. M. Pei|I. M. Pei's]] specifications, the museum is built on an island off an artificial projecting peninsula near the traditional ''[[dhow]]'' harbor. A purpose-built park surrounds the edifice on the eastern and southern facades while two bridges connect the southern front facade of the property with the main peninsula that holds the park.<ref>{{Cite web |title=MIA Park |url=https://www.mia.org.qa/en/mia-park |access-date=2022-05-19 |website=www.mia.org.qa |archive-date=15 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220815213719/https://mia.org.qa/en/mia-park |url-status=live }}</ref> The western and northern facades are marked by the harbor showcasing the Qatari seafaring past. In September 2017, [[Qatar Museums]] appointed [[Julia Gonnella]] as new director of MIA.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Qatar Museums Names Julia Gonnella Director of the Museum of Islamic Art – ARTnews.com |url=https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/qatar-museums-names-julia-gonnella-director-of-the-museum-of-islamic-art-9078/ |access-date=2022-03-09 |website=www.artnews.com |archive-date=31 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231031062101/https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/qatar-museums-names-julia-gonnella-director-of-the-museum-of-islamic-art-9078/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
===Qatar National Library===
[[File:National Library-Qatar.jpg|thumb|The [[Qatar National Library]] in Doha.]]
{{main|Qatar National Library}}
is a non-profit organization under the umbrella of the [[Qatar Foundation|Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development]].<ref>Qatar National Library. "[http://qnl.qa/about-the-library/learn-more-about-the-library/about-the-library About the library] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909141542/http://qnl.qa/about-the-library/learn-more-about-the-library/about-the-library |date=2017-09-09 }}." Retrieved 2014-12-14.</ref> The plans for the new national library were announced by Sheikha [[Moza bint Nasser]], Chairperson of Qatar Foundation, on 19 November 2012, during a ceremony celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Dar Al Kutub Library, in Doha. Qatar National Library (QNL) is a modern facility that provides the people of Qatar with access to over one million books.
===Msheireb Museums===
[[File:Msheireb Museums (0I0R8782).jpg|thumb|left|Msheireb Museums]]
{{main|Msheireb Museums}}
Msheireb Museums is a project by Msheireb Properties that celebrates the histories of four historic heritage houses in the heart of [[Msheireb Downtown Doha]], the capital city of [[Qatar]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.msheireb.com/en-us/home/msheirebmuseums.aspx |title=Msheireb Museums |access-date=2016-06-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170607000213/http://www.msheireb.com/en-us/home/msheirebmuseums.aspx |archive-date=2017-06-07 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
Msheireb Museums are an integral part of the inner city's regeneration of the old commercial centre, with its traditional community-based lifestyle. The restoration of the four heritage houses Bin Jelmood House, Company House, Mohammed Bin Jassim House, and Radwani House into world-class museums is a vital part of the Msheireb Downtown Doha development. The Msheireb Museums are part of the first phase of the Heritage Quarter of Msheireb Properties’ QR20 billion (US$5.5 billion), 310,000 sq m development.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Walker |first=Lesley |date=2015-10-21 |title=100-year-old houses restored by Msheireb tell Qatar's story |url=https://dohanews.co/100-year-old-houses-restored-by-msheireb-tell-qatars-story/ |access-date=2023-06-02 |website=Doha News {{!}} Qatar |language=en-US |archive-date=9 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230609122501/https://dohanews.co/100-year-old-houses-restored-by-msheireb-tell-qatars-story/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The museum was also included in the 2018 world's best new buildings list of the [[Royal Institute of British Architects]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-01-02 |title=Msheireb Museums in RIBA's list of best new buildings |url=https://www.gulf-times.com/story/576818/msheireb-museums-in-ribas-list-of-best-new-buildings |access-date=2023-08-31 |website=Gulf Times |language=en |archive-date=31 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230831093104/https://www.gulf-times.com/story/576818/msheireb-museums-in-ribas-list-of-best-new-buildings |url-status=live }}</ref>
===Atmosphere===
In the pre-modern era, Doha's architectural landscape was characterized by densely clustered dwellings interconnected by narrow passageways, a design that offered mutual shade, privacy, and safety to residents. This urban configuration persisted until the latter part of the 20th century. Traditional building techniques in Doha emphasized climate adaptation. Thick stone walls, often reaching {{convert|0.6|m}} in width, served as effective thermal insulators, mitigating heat transfer to the interior. Facades typically featured minimal [[Fenestration (architecture)|fenestration]] to maintain privacy and regulate internal temperatures. When present, windows were often internal and shuttered, frequently shielded by expansive [[veranda]]s to minimize solar heat gain.<ref name="eddisford7">{{cite web|last1=Eddisford|first1=Daniel|last2=Carter|first2=Robert|url=https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10023452/1/Carter_Vernacular%20Architecture%20in%20Doha.pdf|title=The Vernacular Architecture of Doha, Qatar|publisher=University College London|page=7|date=26 October 2016|accessdate=25 May 2024}}</ref>
The ''badgheer'' system was used to facilitate air circulation for cooling. This encompassed both [[windcatcher]]s and wall vents, with the latter being more prevalent in Doha. Large open [[courtyard]]s were integral to promoting air movement within structures. Design elements such as horizontal apertures at wall bases and within roof screens generated cooling breezes and air circulation. Ornate, perforated [[gypsum]] panels served dual purposes, acting as decorative elements while enhancing airflow within domiciles.<ref name="eddisford7"/>
Due to excessive heat from the sun during the summer, some Doha-based building companies implemented various forms of [[Air conditioning|cooling technology]] to alleviate the extremely torrid climatic conditions in the late 20th century. This included creating optical phenomena such as [[shadow]]s, as well as more expensive techniques like ventilation, coolants, refrigerants, cryogenics, and dehumidifiers.<ref>Air Conditioning: A Practical Introduction - Page 106, David V. Chadderton - 2014</ref> Discussions regarding temperature control have also been features of various scheduled events involving large crowds.<ref>The Report: Qatar 2012 - Page 187, Oxford Business Group</ref> Other initiatives attempt to counter the heat by altering working hours, weather alteration methods such as [[cloud seeding]],<ref>Red Sea and the Persian Gulf - Page 237, 2007</ref><ref>Sixth Conference on Planned and Inadvertent Weather Modification, p 307, 1977</ref> and using [[white]]r and brighter construction materials to increase the [[albedo effects]].<ref>{{cite book|last1=Hegazy|first1=Ahmed|title=Plant Ecology in the Middle East|date=2016|page=205}}</ref> Nonetheless, despite these measures, Doha and other areas of Qatar could become [[Planetary habitability|uninhabitable]] for humans due to climate change by the end of the 21st century.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Pal |first1=Jeremy S. |last2=Eltahir |first2=Elfatih A. B. |author-link2=Elfatih Eltahir |date=February 2016 |title=Future temperature in southwest Asia projected to exceed a threshold for human adaptability |url=https://eltahir.mit.edu/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/nclimate2833.pdf |journal=Nature Climate Change |type=Letter |volume=6 |issue=2 |pages=197–200 |citeseerx=10.1.1.1038.3031 |doi=10.1038/nclimate2833 |bibcode=2016NatCC...6..197P |issn=1758-6798 |oclc=7248753512 |via=mit.edu |access-date=2022-10-07 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210427112145/https://eltahir.mit.edu/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/nclimate2833.pdf |archive-date=2021-04-27}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Schwartz |first=John |date=27 October 2015 |title=Deadly Heat Is Forecast in Persian Gulf by 2100 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/27/science/intolerable-heat-may-hit-the-middle-east-by-the-end-of-the-century.html |url-status=live |work=The New York Times |oclc=5921460720 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220717120557/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/27/science/intolerable-heat-may-hit-the-middle-east-by-the-end-of-the-century.html |archive-date=2022-07-17 |access-date=2022-10-07 |url-access=subscription}}</ref>
===Planned communities===
One of the largest projects underway in Qatar is [[Lusail|Lusail City]], a planned community north of Doha which is estimated to be completed by 2020 at a cost of approximately $45bn. It is designed to accommodate 450,000 people.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/lusail-city-qatar-2014-9|title=Qatar Is Building A $45 Billion City From Scratch For The World Cup That It Might Lose|website=Business Insider|author=Tony Manfred|date=22 September 2014|access-date=17 July 2015|archive-date=21 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150721204958/http://www.businessinsider.com/lusail-city-qatar-2014-9|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Al Waab City]], another planned community under development, is estimated to cost [[Qatari riyal|QR]]15 bn.<ref name="qatartoday">{{cite web|url=http://www.qatartodayonline.com/al-waab-city-phase-1-opens/|title=Al Waab City Phase 1 Opens|publisher=Qatar Today Online|date=11 March 2014|access-date=17 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150721231554/http://www.qatartodayonline.com/al-waab-city-phase-1-opens/|archive-date=21 July 2015}}</ref> In addition to housing 8,000 individuals, it will also have shopping malls, educational, and medical facilities.<ref name="qatartoday"/> Gewan Island is the latest development of [[United Development Company|UDC]] comprising a 400,000 sqm mixed use development.
==Transportation==
{{Main|Transportation in Doha}}
To support the expanding city and increasing numbers of residents and commuters, Qatar has heavily invested in upgrading the infrastructure of Doha and Qatar. Since 2004, Doha has been undergoing a huge expansion to its transportation network, including the addition of new [[highway]]s, a [[Hamad International Airport|new airport]] in 2014, a new [[Hamad Port|seaport]] in 2016, and an 85&nbsp;km [[Rapid transit|metro]] system which went operational in 2019.<ref name="cwo1">{{cite web|url=http://www.constructionweekonline.com/article-19113-qatars-key-infrastructure-projects/|title=Qatar's key infrastructure projects|publisher=Construction Week Online|author=William Skidmore|date=24 October 2012|access-date=17 July 2015|archive-date=24 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161224215558/http://www.constructionweekonline.com/article-19113-qatars-key-infrastructure-projects/|url-status=live}}</ref>
===Roads===
[[File:Service road near Dukhan Highway.jpg|thumb|Dukhan Highway connects the city of [[Dukhan]] on the West coast of the country with the country's capital, Doha.]]
The main highways in Doha include Dukhan Highway connecting to [[Dukhan]];<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gulf-times.com/story/549608/All-roads-of-Dukhan-Highway-Central-Project-now-op|title=All roads of Dukhan Highway Central Project now open|publisher=Gulf Times|date=21 May 2017|accessdate=2 September 2018}}</ref>
the {{convert|95.2|km}} Al Shamal Road connecting the Doha Metropolitan Area to the northern region of [[Al Shamal]];<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dohanews.co/new-diversions-put-in-place-at-al-shamal-road-as-construction-steps-up/|title=New diversions put in place at Al Shamal Road as construction steps up|publisher=Doha News|last1=Khatri|first1=Shabina S.|date=19 December 2013|accessdate=9 May 2024}}</ref> the {{convert|33|km}} Al Khor Coastal Road connecting to [[Al Khor]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ashghal.gov.qa/en/Projects/Pages/projectdetails.aspx?pid=442&aff=Roads&affid=1&Category=Expressway+Programme|title=Alkhor Road Project|publisher=Ashghal|access-date=3 April 2024}}</ref> the {{convert|95|km}} Salwa Road connecting to the [[Qatar–Saudi Arabia border|Saudi Arabian border]];<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.uembuilders.com/project_completed_qatar_salwahighway.aspx|title=Salwa International Highway, Qatar|publisher=UEM Builders|accessdate=8 May 2024}}</ref> the {{convert|195|km}} [[Al Majd Road]] which is the longest highway in Qatar;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://constructingexcellence.qa/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2018/09/Expressway-Programme-Project-Booklet.pdf|publisher=KBR|title=Expressway Programme Project Booklet|page=33|accessdate=17 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190119121221/http://constructingexcellence.qa/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2018/09/Expressway-Programme-Project-Booklet.pdf|archive-date=19 January 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref> the {{convert|5.5|km}} Lusail Expressway connecting to [[Lusail]];<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ashghal.gov.qa/en/Projects/Pages/ProjectDetails.aspx?pid=238&affid=1&Category=Expressway+Programme|title=Lusail Expressway|publisher=Ashghal|accessdate=6 May 2024}}</ref> the {{convert|8.7|km}} F-Ring Road linking Rawdat Al Khail Street to Al Matar Street;<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ashghal.gov.qa/en/Projects/Pages/projectdetails.aspx?pid=236|title=F-Ring Road|publisher=Ashghal|accessdate=5 May 2024}}</ref> the {{convert|22|km}} G-Ring Road connecting Hamad International Airport to the south of the [[Industrial Area (Doha)|Industrial Area]];<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ashghal.gov.qa/en/Projects/Pages/projectdetails.aspx?pid=346|title=G-Ring Road|publisher=Ashghal|accessdate=6 May 2024}}</ref> and the Industrial Area Road, a 12.5-kilometer dual carriageway positioned south of the Doha Industrial Area.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ashghal.gov.qa/en/Projects/Pages/ProjectDetails.aspx?pid=244&affid=1&Category=Expressway+Programme|title=Industrial Area Road|publisher=Ashghal|accessdate=6 May 2024}}</ref>
One of the latest projects, expected to be delivered in 2024 is the Sharq Crossing in [[Doha Bay]]. At a cost of approximately $12 billion, the crossing is expected to connect Hamad International Airport with both [[Katara Cultural Village]] and [[West Bay (Doha)|West Bay]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Sharq Crossing re-launch affirms Qatar's long-term growth|url=https://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/18/12/2019/Sharq-Crossing-re-launch-affirms-Qatar%E2%80%99s-long-term-growth|access-date=2020-07-22|website=www.thepeninsulaqatar.com|archive-date=23 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200723043704/https://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/18/12/2019/Sharq-Crossing-re-launch-affirms-Qatar%E2%80%99s-long-term-growth|url-status=live}}</ref>
===Rail===
Three of the [[Doha Metro|Doha Metro's]] four lines are currently fully operational. The system consists of the Red Line, the Gold Line, the Green Line, and the incomplete Blue Line. The Blue Line is expected to be completed in the second phase in 2025.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.trenchlessinternational.com/2017/07/04/laying-foundations-qatar/|title=Laying the foundations in Qatar|publisher=Trenchless International|date=4 July 2017|access-date=2 September 2018|archive-date=3 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180903114752/https://www.trenchlessinternational.com/2017/07/04/laying-foundations-qatar/}}</ref> [[Msheireb station|Msheireb Station]] is the transfer station for all of the metro lines.<ref name="cwo1"/>
[[File:Hamad International Airport 20230108.jpg|thumb|Hamad International Airport]]
The ''[[Red Line (Doha Metro)|Red Line]]'' (also known as Coast Line) extends through Doha, running from [[Al Khor]] to [[Al Wakrah]] and [[Hamad International Airport|Hamad Airport]] via the Red Line North and Red Line South. Doha Metro's ''[[Green Line (Doha Metro)|Green Line]],'' or Education Line, connects Doha to [[Education City]] and [[Al Riffa station|Al Riffa]]. Starting in [[Old Airport (Doha)|Old Airport]], the ''[[Gold Line (Doha Metro)|Gold Line]]'' (also known as Historic Line) will end in Al Rayyan and cover a distance of 30.6&nbsp;km. Lastly, the ''Blue Line'', or City Line, will only cover the inner city of Doha, and is planned to be semi-circular with a length of 17.5&nbsp;km.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.railway-technology.com/projects/doha-metro/|title=Doha Metro|publisher=Railway Technology|access-date=2 September 2018|archive-date=6 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221006152049/https://www.railway-technology.com/projects/doha-metro/|url-status=live}}</ref>
===Air===
Doha is served by [[Hamad International Airport]] which is Qatar's principal international gateway. The airport opened in 2014, replacing [[Doha International Airport]].
The airport is named after the previous Emir of Qatar, [[Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani]]. Hamad International Airport became the first [[Middle Eastern]] airport to be awarded the [[Skytrax]]'s World Best Airport for 2021 in the 2021 World Airport Awards, ending the 7-year dominance of [[Singapore]]'s [[Changi Airport]].<ref>{{cite press release|url=https://www.worldairportawards.com/hamad-international-airport-is-named-the-worlds-best-airport/|title=Hamad International Airport is named the World's Best Airport|publisher=[[Skytrax]]|location=London|date=5 August 2021|access-date=6 August 2021|archive-date=8 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210908113044/https://www.worldairportawards.com/hamad-international-airport-is-named-the-worlds-best-airport/|url-status=live}}</ref> Qatar's Hamad International Airport has been named the World's Best Airport for the second year running. The announcement took place at the Skytrax 2022 World Airport Awards, held at Passenger Terminal EXPO in Paris, France.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://skytraxratings.com/hamad-international-airport-is-named-the-worlds-best-airport|date=June 2022|publisher=Skytrax|title=Hamad International Airport named World's Best Airport 2022|access-date=8 October 2022|archive-date=11 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220811193425/https://skytraxratings.com/hamad-international-airport-is-named-the-worlds-best-airport|url-status=live}}</ref>
===Taxi===
There are plenty of options for picking up a [[taxi]] in Doha, including hailing one off the street, visiting the nearest taxi stand, requesting hotel reception staff to book one, or downloading a taxi app.
Most of the taxis in Doha are affiliated with the government-owned Mowasalat company since 2004. They provide a fleet of contemporary taxis that are clean, reliable, efficient, and air-conditioned. Karwa taxis stand out due to their bright turquoise colour, yet have different roofs depending on the taxi operating company.
[[Careem]] and [[Uber]] most of the online taxis are in Doha.
==Education==
{{See also|Education in Qatar|Education City|List of schools in Qatar}}
{{multiple image
| align             = right
| direction         = vertical
| width             =
| image1            = QatarUniversityEastView.jpg
| caption1          = [[Qatar University]]
| image2            = Carnegiemellonqatar building entrance.jpg
| caption2          = [[Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar]]
}}
Doha is the educational center of the country and contains the highest preponderance of schools and colleges.<ref name="kobaisi"/> In 1952, the first formal boys' school was opened in Doha. This was proceeded by the opening of the first formal girls' school three years later.<ref>{{cite book|last=Abu Saud|first=Abeer|title=Qatari Women: Past and Present|date=1984|isbn=978-0-582-78372-0|page=173|publisher=Longman Group}}</ref> The first university in the state, [[Qatar University]], was opened in 1973.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://portal.www.gov.qa/wps/portal/!ut/p/a0/RYyxDsIwDES_hSFzUtjYKoTECqICupnUaqxSO0rcIv6epkun0717Otvap20ZZupBSRg-S399_XiMoMFUh9q4yzSIjGSqvXvgu8RJWJF1m9xdIvls3Lmb_HpUNOCuxA0zQvJh0akPmArbPHcFhZU1TDOmTPqzcah3f7UCsOE!/|title=Qatar University|publisher=Qatar e-government|access-date=27 May 2015|archive-date=17 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220517020756/https://portal.www.gov.qa/wps/portal/!ut/p/a0/RYyxDsIwDES_hSFzUtjYKoTECqICupnUaqxSO0rcIv6epkun0717Otvap20ZZupBSRg-S399_XiMoMFUh9q4yzSIjGSqvXvgu8RJWJF1m9xdIvls3Lmb_HpUNOCuxA0zQvJh0akPmArbPHcFhZU1TDOmTPqzcah3f7UCsOE!/|url-status=live}}</ref> It provided separate faculties for men and women.<ref>Abu Saud (1973), p. 173</ref>
[[Education City]], a {{cvt|14|km2}} education complex launched by non-profit organization [[Qatar Foundation]], began construction in 2000.<ref name="fteducation">{{cite news|url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/b2fff52c-1711-11e3-9ec2-00144feabdc0.html#axzz3gD8oJryK|title=Doha's Education City is a boost for locals|newspaper=Financial Times|author=Simeon Kerr|date=20 October 2013|access-date=17 July 2015|archive-date=8 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150708154525/http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/b2fff52c-1711-11e3-9ec2-00144feabdc0.html#axzz3gD8oJryK|url-status=live}}</ref> It houses eight universities, the country's top high school, and offices for [[JeemTV|Al Jazeera's children television channel]].<ref name="fteducation"/> It is geographically located in [[Al Rayyan]] municipality's [[Al Luqta]], [[Al Gharrafa]], [[Gharrafat Al Rayyan]] and [[Al Shagub]] districts, but falls under the umbrella of Metropolitan Doha.<ref name="gis"/>
In 2009, the government launched the [[World Innovation Summit for Education]] (WISE), a global forum that brings together education stakeholders, opinion leaders and decision-makers from all over the world to discuss educational issues.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://en.unesco.org/events/world-innovation-summit-education-wise-2014|title=World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE) 2014|publisher=UNESCO|access-date=25 June 2015|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304120647/http://en.unesco.org/events/world-innovation-summit-education-wise-2014|url-status=live}}</ref> The first edition was held in Doha in November 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wise-qatar.org/2009-summit-global-education-working-together-sustainable-achievements|title=The 2009 World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE) convened November 16-18, in Doha, Qatar under the theme "Global Education: Working Together for Sustainable Achievements"|publisher=WISE Qatar|access-date=25 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170405185117/http://www.wise-qatar.org/2009-summit-global-education-working-together-sustainable-achievements|archive-date=5 April 2017}}</ref>
Some of the universities in Doha include:
{{columns-list|colwidth=22em|
* [[Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar]]
* [[Georgetown University School of Foreign Service in Qatar]]
* [[Hamad Bin Khalifa University]]
* [[Cornell University]]<ref>{{cite news|title=While U.S. universities see dollar signs in Qatari partnerships, some cry foul|url=http://gulfnewsjournal.com/stories/510639673-while-u-s-universities-see-dollar-signs-in-qatari-partnerships-some-cry-foul|access-date=2 October 2015|work=Gulf News Journal|date=24 September 2015|archive-date=4 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151004021757/http://gulfnewsjournal.com/stories/510639673-while-u-s-universities-see-dollar-signs-in-qatari-partnerships-some-cry-foul|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[HEC Paris in Qatar]]
* [[Northwestern University in Qatar]]
* [[Texas A&M University at Qatar]]
* UCL Qatar<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ucl.ac.uk/qatar|title=UCL - London's Global University|website=UCL Qatar|date=March 2018|access-date=12 August 2018|archive-date=10 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180910134055/https://www.ucl.ac.uk/qatar/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Virginia Commonwealth University]]
* [[Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar]]
* [[Stenden University Qatar]]
* [[College of the North Atlantic]]
* [[Qatar University]]
* Qatar Faculty of Islamic Studies
* [[University of Calgary]]
}}
==Sports==
{{main|Sport in Qatar}}
===Football===
[[File:Al Sadd AFC Champions League.jpg|thumb|[[Al Sadd SC|Al Sadd]] is the most successful team in the [[Qatar Stars League]].]]
{{see also|List of football stadiums in Qatar}}
[[Association football|Football]] is the most popular sport in Doha. There are six Doha-based sports clubs with football teams competing in the [[Qatar Stars League]], the country's top football league. They are [[Al Ahli SC (Doha)|Al Ahli]], [[Al-Arabi SC (Doha)|Al Arabi]], [[Al Sadd SC|Al Sadd]], [[Al-Duhail SC|Al-Duhail]] and [[Qatar SC]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.worldfootball.net/players/qat-qatar-stars-league-2014-2015/|title=Qatar Stars League 2014/2015 » Teams|publisher=worldfootball.net|access-date=19 July 2015|archive-date=11 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171011210542/http://www.worldfootball.net/players/qat-qatar-stars-league-2014-2015/|url-status=live}}</ref> Al Sadd, Al Arabi and Qatar SC are the three most successful teams in the league's history.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.worldfootball.net/winner/qat-qatar-stars-league/|title=Qatar Stars League » Champions|publisher=worldfootball.net|access-date=19 July 2015|archive-date=23 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170923040102/http://www.worldfootball.net/winner/qat-qatar-stars-league/|url-status=live}}</ref>
Numerous football tournaments have been hosted in Doha. The most prestigious tournaments include the [[1988 AFC Asian Cup|1988]] and [[2011 AFC Asian Cup|2011]] editions of the [[AFC Asian Cup]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.afcasiancup.com/about/en/e8cj5pyl9r3q1mnhvnallamdh|title=AFC Asian Cup history|publisher=AFC Asian Cup|access-date=19 July 2015|archive-date=6 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306042433/http://www.afcasiancup.com/about/en/e8cj5pyl9r3q1mnhvnallamdh|url-status=dead}}</ref> and the [[1995 FIFA World Youth Championship]].<ref name="1995fifa"/>
In December 2010, Qatar won the right to host the [[2022 FIFA World Cup]].<ref>{{cite news |url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/9250585.stm |title= 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cup Hosts Announced |date= 2 December 2010 |access-date= 19 July 2015 |work= BBC News |archive-date= 3 December 2010 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20101203045541/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/9250585.stm |url-status= live }}</ref> Three of the nine newly announced stadiums were constructed in Doha, including [[Sports City Stadium (Doha)|Sports City Stadium]], [[Doha Port Stadium]], and [[Qatar University Stadium]]. Additionally, the [[Khalifa International Stadium]] underwent expansion.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.fifa.com/mm/document/tournament/competition/01/33/59/45/bidevaluationreport.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101122113106/http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/tournament/competition/01/33/59/45/bidevaluationreport.pdf|archive-date=November 22, 2010|title=2022 FIFA World Cup Bid Evaluation Report: Qatar|publisher=FIFA|date=2010-12-05}}</ref>
Considering the country's rapid development for the 2022 World Cup, FIFA awarded the hosting rights of [[2019 FIFA Club World Cup]] and [[2020 FIFA Club World Cup]] also to Qatar.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/06/qatar-host-fifa-club-world-cups-190603170525934.html|title=Qatar to host next two FIFA Club World Cups|access-date=3 June 2019|work=Al Jazeera|archive-date=3 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190603191222/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/06/qatar-host-fifa-club-world-cups-190603170525934.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
===Basketball===
Doha was the host of the official [[2005 FIBA Asia Championship]], where [[Qatar's national basketball team]] finished 3rd, its best performance to date, and subsequently qualified for the [[Basketball World Cup]].<ref>[https://archive.fiba.com/pages/eng/fa/event/p/sid/3190/tid/2304/_/2005_FIBA_Asia_Championship_for_Men_/index.html 2005 FIBA Asia Championship] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231027103454/https://archive.fiba.com/pages/eng/fa/event/p/sid/3190/tid/2304/_/2005_FIBA_Asia_Championship_for_Men_/index.html |date=27 October 2023 }}, ARCHIVE.FIBA.com, Retrieved 5 June 2016.</ref>
The city will host matches for the [[2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup]].
The majority of the teams that make up the official [[Qatari Basketball League]] are based in Doha.
===Volleyball===
Doha four times was the host of the official [[FIVB Volleyball Men's Club World Championship]] and three times host [[FIVB Volleyball Women's Club World Championship]]. Doha also hosted the [[1997 Asian Men's Volleyball Championship|Asian Volleyball Championship]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.volleyball.qa/en/|title=QVA - Qatar Volleyball Association|website=QVA|access-date=12 August 2018|archive-date=3 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180803171632/http://www.volleyball.qa/en/|url-status=live}}</ref>
===Other sports===
[[File:Orry the Oryx on a foggy night.jpg|thumb|left|Orry the Oryx, mascot of the [[15th Asian Games]], on the [[Doha Corniche]] in 2014]]
In 2001, Qatar became the first country in the Middle East to hold a women's tennis tournament with the inauguration of its [[Qatar Ladies Open]] tournament.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.qatartennis.org/about-us/history-overview/|title=History & Overview|publisher=Qatar Tennis Federation|access-date=22 August 2018|archive-date=23 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180823235334/http://www.qatartennis.org/about-us/history-overview/|url-status=live}}</ref> Doha also hosts [[International Tennis Federation]] (ITF) ladies tournaments. Since 2008, the [[Sony Ericsson Championships]] (equivalent to the ATP's season-ending Championships) has taken place in Doha, in the Khalifa International Tennis Complex, and features record prize money of $4.45 million, including a check of $1,485,000 for the winner, which represents the largest single guaranteed payout in women's tennis.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sonyericssonwtatour.com/3/newsroom/stories/?ContentID=1482 |title="Season to End in Doha 2008–2010" on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour website |publisher=Sonyericssonwtatour.com |access-date=2013-07-29 |archive-date=28 March 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090328191203/http://www.sonyericssonwtatour.com/3/newsroom/stories/?ContentID=1482 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
Doha hosted the [[2006 Asian Games|15th Asian Games]], held in December 2006, spending a total of $2.8 billion for its preparation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.globalchange.com/qatar.htm|title=The Future Of Qatar – Rapid Growth|publisher=globalchange.com|author=Patrick Dixon|access-date=19 July 2015|archive-date=12 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231212120324/https://www.globalchange.com/qatar.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> The city also hosted the [[West Asian Games|3rd West Asian Games]] in December 2005.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ocasia.org/Game/GameParticular.aspx?m3o2sVEZ0pv/KgM749S4mg==|title=Doha 2005: 3rd West Asian Games|publisher=Olympic Council of Asia|access-date=19 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160805215835/http://www.ocasia.org/Game/GameParticular.aspx?m3o2sVEZ0pv%2FKgM749S4mg=%3D|archive-date=5 August 2016}}</ref> Doha was expected to host the [[2011 Asian Indoor Games]]; but the [[Qatar Olympic Committee]] cancelled the event.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://marhaba.qa/qatar-participates-in-th-asian-indoor-and-martial-arts-games-this-week/|title=Qatar Participates in 4th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games This Week|publisher=Marhaba|date=30 June 2013|access-date=19 July 2015|archive-date=19 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180619012728/http://www.marhaba.qa/qatar-participates-in-th-asian-indoor-and-martial-arts-games-this-week/}}</ref>
[[File:Relekta (6989973445).jpg|thumb|Powerboat races in [[Doha Bay]]]]
The city submitted a [[Doha bid for the 2016 Summer Olympics|bid]] for the [[2016 Olympics]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamesbids.com/english/bids/2016.shtml |title=Information on 2016 Olympic Games Bids |publisher=Gamesbids.com |access-date=2010-06-27 |archive-date=12 May 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080512003612/http://www.gamesbids.com/english/bids/2016.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref> On June 4, 2008, the city was eliminated from the shortlist for the 2016 Olympic Games. On August 26, 2011, it was confirmed that Doha would [[Doha bid for the 2020 Summer Olympics|bid]] for the [[2020 Summer Olympics]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/olympics/story/_/id/6898802/doha-bid-right-host-2020-summer-olympics |title=Doha to bid for 2020 Olympics |publisher=Espn.go.com |date=2011-08-26 |access-date=2013-07-29 |archive-date=12 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231212120338/https://platform.twitter.com/widgets/widget_iframe.2f70fb173b9000da126c79afe2098f02.html?origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.espn.com |url-status=live }}</ref> Doha however failed to become a Candidate City for the 2020 Games.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.olympic.org/news?articleid=160523&articlenewsgroup=-1 |title=IOC selects three cities as Candidates for the 2020 Olympic Games |publisher=Olympic.org |access-date=2013-07-29 |archive-date=30 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150430030307/http://www.olympic.org/news?articleid=160523&articlenewsgroup=-1 |url-status=live }}</ref>
The [[MotoGP]] motorcycling grand prix of Doha is held annually at [[Losail International Circuit]], located just outside the city boundaries.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.motogp.com/en/event/Qatar|title=About the circuit|publisher=MotoGP|access-date=19 July 2015|archive-date=15 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150315093433/http://www.motogp.com/en/event/Qatar|url-status=live}}</ref> The city is also the location of the Grand Prix of Qatar for the [[F1 Powerboat World Championship]], annually hosting a round in [[Doha Bay]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oryxinflightmagazine.com/middle-east/power-boats.html|title=Power boats|publisher=Oryx in-flight magazine|access-date=19 July 2015|archive-date=23 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161223235624/http://www.oryxinflightmagazine.com/middle-east/power-boats.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Beginning in November 2009, Doha has been host of [[Oryx Cup|The Oryx Cup World Championship]], a hydroplane boat race in the [[H1 Unlimited]] season. The races take place in Doha Bay.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.h1unlimited.com/2014/03/2014-oryx-cup-dates-announced/|title=2014 Oryx Cup Dates Announced|publisher=H1 Unlimited|date=12 March 2014|access-date=19 July 2015|archive-date=24 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924024436/http://www.h1unlimited.com/2014/03/2014-oryx-cup-dates-announced/|url-status=live}}</ref>
In April 2012 Doha was awarded both the [[2014 FINA World Swimming Championships (25 m)|2014 FINA World Swimming Championships]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.insidethegames.biz/sports/summer/aquatics/16470-doha-awarded-2014-world-short-course-swimming-championships |title=Doha awarded 2014 World Short Course Swimming Championships |publisher=Insidethegames.biz |date=2012-04-04 |access-date=2013-07-29 |archive-date=5 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120405162413/http://www.insidethegames.biz/sports/summer/aquatics/16470-doha-awarded-2014-world-short-course-swimming-championships |url-status=live }}</ref> and the 2012 World Squash Championships.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.insidethegames.biz/latest/16623-doha-picked-to-host-2012-world-squash-championships |title=Doha picked to host 2012 World Squash Championships |publisher=Insidethegames.biz |date=2012-04-18 |access-date=2013-07-29 |archive-date=21 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120421031629/http://www.insidethegames.biz/latest/16623-doha-picked-to-host-2012-world-squash-championships |url-status=live }}</ref> The fourth World Mindsports Championships took place in Doha from August 19 to August 27, 2017, with the participation of more than 1,000 competitors.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/29/08/2017/World-Mindsports-Championships-ends-on-high-note|title=World Mindsports Championships ends on high note|publisher=The Peninsula|date=29 August 2017|access-date=22 August 2018|archive-date=6 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181106221110/https://thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/29/08/2017/World-Mindsports-Championships-ends-on-high-note|url-status=live}}</ref>
In 2014, Qatar was selected as the host of the [[2019 World Athletics Championships]], which is the seventeenth edition of the [[IAAF World Athletics Championships]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.atleticalive.it/iaaf-wc-2019-will-be-held-in-doha-qatar/|title=Iaaf WC 2019 will be held in Doha, Qatar!|date=18 November 2014|access-date=18 November 2014|archive-date=7 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190207072805/https://www.atleticalive.it/iaaf-wc-2019-will-be-held-in-doha-qatar/|url-status=live}}</ref> Doha won the bid to host the event over [[Barcelona]] and [[Eugene, Oregon|Eugene]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.iaaf.org/competitions/iaaf-world-championships/news/barcelona-doha-eugene-2019-iaaf-world-champio|title=Barcelona, Doha and Eugene – candidate cities for 2019 IAAF World Championships|access-date=15 April 2014|archive-date=26 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190926104058/https://www.iaaf.org/competitions/iaaf-world-championships/news/barcelona-doha-eugene-2019-iaaf-world-champio|url-status=live}}</ref>
In 2020, Doha hosted the [[2020 Qatar ExxonMobil Open|Qatar ExxonMobil Open]], which received the Tournament of the Year award in the 250 category from the 2019 [[ATP Awards]]. The tournament won the award for the third time in five years.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.atptour.com/en/news/doha-2020-ceremony-atp-250-tournament-of-the-year|title=Doha Honored With ATP 250 Tournament Of The Year Award|access-date=11 January 2020|publisher=ATP Tour|archive-date=11 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200111212447/https://www.atptour.com/en/news/doha-2020-ceremony-atp-250-tournament-of-the-year|url-status=live}}</ref>
Doha will host the [[2030 Asian Games]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Mabrouk: Doha to host 2030 Asian Games|url=https://thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/16/12/2020/Mabrouk-Doha-to-host-2030-Asian-Games|access-date=16 December 2020|work=The Peninsula|date=16 December 2020|archive-date=30 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201230123926/https://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/16/12/2020/Mabrouk-Doha-to-host-2030-Asian-Games|url-status=live}}</ref>
===Stadiums and sport complexes===
{{multiple image |align=right |direction=vertical |width=
|image1=Al Thumama Stadium (2).jpg |caption1=[[Al Thumama Stadium]]
|image2=Stadium 974 exterior.jpg |caption2=[[Stadium 974]]
}}
[[Aspire Academy]] was launched in 2004 with the aim of creating world-class athletes.  It is situated in the [[Doha Sports City]] Complex, which also accommodates the [[Khalifa International Stadium]], the [[Hamad Aquatic Centre]], the [[Aspire Tower]], and the [[Aspire Dome]]. The latter has hosted more than 50 sporting events since its inception, including some events during the [[2006 Asian Games]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iaaf.org/news/news/the-aspire-dome-centre-stage-for-doha-2010|title=The Aspire Dome, centre stage for Doha 2010|publisher=IAAF Athletics|date=3 November 2009|access-date=19 July 2015|archive-date=23 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150723204759/http://www.iaaf.org/news/news/the-aspire-dome-centre-stage-for-doha-2010|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Aspire Academy]], a sporting academy for youth, is located in the center of Aspire Zone.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aipsmedia.com/2017/05/03/20787/aspire-academy-aspire-zone-doha-qatar-athletes-mercy-njue|title=Aspire Academy: Unlocking the potential of Qatar's youth|publisher=AIPS Media|author=Mercy Njue|date=3 May 2017|access-date=18 January 2018|archive-date=8 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181008180526/http://www.aipsmedia.com/2017/05/03/20787/aspire-academy-aspire-zone-doha-qatar-athletes-mercy-njue|url-status=live}}</ref>
Sporting venues in Doha and its suburbs include:
{{columns-list|colwidth=30em|
* [[Al-Ahly Stadium|Hamad bin Khalifa Stadium]] – Al-Ahli Stadium
* [[Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium|Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium (Al Sadd Stadium)]]
* [[Grand Hamad Stadium|Al-Arabi Stadium]] – Grand Hamad Stadium
* [[Hamad Aquatic Centre]]
* [[Khalifa International Stadium]] – Main venue for the 2006 Asian Games.
* [[Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex]]
* [[Qatar SC Stadium|Qatar Sports Club Stadium]]
* [[Al Thumama Stadium]]
* [[Stadium 974]]
}}
==Culture==
{{main|Culture of Qatar}}
Doha was chosen as the [[Arab Capital of Culture]] in [[2010 Arab Capital of Culture|2010]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.unesco.org/new/en/unesco/about-us/who-we-are/director-general/singleview-dg/news/irina_bokova_receives_the_prize_doha_2010_arab_capital_of_culture/#.Va_BdflViko|title=Irina Bokova receives the Prize 'Doha 2010 Arab Capital of Culture'|publisher=UNESCO|date=17 December 2010|access-date=22 July 2015|archive-date=11 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171011212730/http://www.unesco.org/new/en/unesco/about-us/who-we-are/director-general/singleview-dg/news/irina_bokova_receives_the_prize_doha_2010_arab_capital_of_culture/#.Va_BdflViko|url-status=live}}</ref> Cultural weeks organized by the Ministry of Culture, which featured both Arab and non-Arab cultures, were held in Doha from April to June to celebrate the city's selection.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.habibtoumi.com/2010/04/04/doha-2010-arab-culture-capital-to-host-arab-and-non-arab-cultural-weeks/|title=Doha, 2010 Arab culture capital, to host Arab and non-Arab cultural weeks|publisher=Habib Toumi|date=4 April 2010|access-date=22 July 2015|archive-date=26 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221126131857/http://www.habibtoumi.com/2010/04/04/doha-2010-arab-culture-capital-to-host-arab-and-non-arab-cultural-weeks/|url-status=live}}</ref>
===Arts===
{{main|Qatari art}}
{{further|Public art in Qatar|Collecting practices of the Al-Thani Family}}
[[File:Doha - towards the islamic art museum.jpg|thumb|[[Museum of Islamic Art, Doha|Museum of Islamic Art]] along the [[Doha Bay]]]]
The [[Museum of Islamic Art, Doha|Museum of Islamic Art]] or MIA in Doha, opened in 2008, is regarded as one of the best museums in the region.<ref>{{cite news|title=Art in Qatar: A Smithsonian in the sand|url=http://www.economist.com/node/17797006|newspaper=The Economist|access-date=16 June 2013|date=1 January 2011|archive-date=18 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171018120109/http://www.economist.com/node/17797006|url-status=live}}</ref> This, and several other Qatari museums located in the city, like the [[Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art|Arab Museum of Modern Art]], falls under the [[Qatar Museums Authority]] (QMA) which is led by Sheikha [[Al-Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani]], the sister of the emir of Qatar.<ref>{{cite web|title=QMA Board of Trustees|url=http://www.qma.org.qa/online/index.php/en/about-us/board-of-trustees|publisher=Qatar Museums Authority|access-date=12 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402092712/http://www.qma.org.qa/online/index.php/en/about-us/board-of-trustees|archive-date=2 April 2015}}</ref>
The [[National Museum of Qatar]], which was constructed in place of the original [[Qatar National Museum]], opened to the public on 28 March 2019.
=== Cinema ===
{{Main|Cinema of Qatar}}
The [[Doha Film Institute]] (DFI) is an organisation established in 2010 to oversee film initiatives and create a sustainable film industry in Qatar. DFI was founded by [[Al-Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani|H.E. Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tradearabia.com/news/MEDIA_179834.html |title=Article in Variety Arabia |publisher=Tradearabia.com |date=2010-05-16 |access-date=2013-07-29 |archive-date=26 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326024754/http://www.tradearabia.com/news/MEDIA_179834.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
The [[Doha Tribeca Film Festival]] (DTFF), partnered with the American-based [[Tribeca Film Festival]], was held annually in Doha from 2009 to 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/mar/06/qatari-film-industry-doha-festival-black-gold|title=Whatever happened to the Qatari film industry?|website=theguardian.com|date=6 March 2014|access-date=2 October 2015|archive-date=6 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181106215233/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/mar/06/qatari-film-industry-doha-festival-black-gold|url-status=live}}</ref> It emanated from a collaboration between the [[Doha Film Institute]] and [[Tribeca Enterprises]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tribecafilm.com/about|title=About Us|website=Tribeca|access-date=19 April 2019|archive-date=15 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200515144544/https://www.tribecafilm.com/about|url-status=live}}</ref> Celebrities such as [[Robert De Niro]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kemp |first=Stuart |date=2012-11-19 |title='Skyfall' Writers, Robert De Niro Bring Star Power to Doha Tribeca Film Festival |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/skyfall-writers-robert-de-niro-doha-film-festival-392007/ |access-date=2023-02-02 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US |archive-date=2 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230202101605/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/skyfall-writers-robert-de-niro-doha-film-festival-392007/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Salma Hayek]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Doha Tribeca Film Festival |url=https://www.timeoutdoha.com/movies/movies-features/18873-doha-tribeca-film-festival |access-date=2023-02-02 |website=TimeOut Doha |archive-date=2 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230202104105/https://www.timeoutdoha.com/movies/movies-features/18873-doha-tribeca-film-festival |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Adel Emam]],<ref>{{Cite news |date=2010-11-03 |title=Hollywood glamour at Doha film festival |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-11677079 |access-date=2023-02-02 |archive-date=2 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230202103307/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-11677079 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Mira Nair]],<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |last2= |first2= |title=Doha Tribeca Film Festival opens in style |url=https://www.screendaily.com/doha-tribeca-film-festival-opens-in-style/5049150.article |access-date=2023-02-02 |website=Screen |language=en |archive-date=12 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231212120322/https://www.screendaily.com/doha-tribeca-film-festival-opens-in-style/5049150.article |url-status=live }}</ref> and [[Kevin Spacey]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=2010-11-16 |title=The Doha-Tribeca Film Festival: Robert DeNiro, Kevin Spacey and Directors in Burkas |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/the-dohatribeca-film-fest_b_783577 |access-date=2023-02-02 |website=HuffPost |language=en |archive-date=2 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230202102041/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/the-dohatribeca-film-fest_b_783577 |url-status=live }}</ref> attended the festivals.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://gulfnews.com/entertainment/robert-de-niro-opens-doha-tribeca-film-festival-1.1106400|title=Robert De Niro opens Doha Tribeca Film Festival|website=gulfnews.com|date=18 November 2012 |language=en|access-date=19 April 2019|archive-date=31 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200531044757/https://gulfnews.com/entertainment/robert-de-niro-opens-doha-tribeca-film-festival-1.1106400|url-status=live}}</ref> The festivals and premieres took place in the [[Katara Cultural Village]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.katara.net/en|title=Home|website=katara.net|language=en-US|access-date=19 April 2019|archive-date=31 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200531044742/https://www.katara.net/en|url-status=live}}</ref> every year as well as The [[Museum of Islamic Art, Doha|Museum of Islamic Art]], ''Doha''<ref>{{Cite web |last= |title=The Museum of Islamic Art, Doha, Qatar |url=http://www.mia.org.qa/en/ |access-date=19 April 2019 |website=mia.org.qa |language=en-gb |archive-date=21 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200521064659/http://www.mia.org.qa/en/ |url-status=live }}</ref> in 2012. The DTFF premiered up to 87 films from all around the world.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://gulf-times.com/story/333014|title=Red carpet gala to mark Doha Tribeca Film Festival opening|date=17 November 2012|website=Gulf-Times|access-date=21 April 2019|archive-date=21 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190421182434/https://www.gulf-times.com/story/333014|url-status=live}}</ref>
The major cinema operators in Doha are Vox, NOVO and Flik.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-04-14 |title=Doha's best cinemas: Where to watch the latest movies in the city |url=https://www.timeoutdoha.com/movies/doha-best-cinemas-qatar |website=www.timeoutdoha.com |access-date=22 November 2023 |archive-date=12 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230212142359/https://www.timeoutdoha.com/movies/doha-best-cinemas-qatar |url-status=live }}</ref>
=== Media ===
{{main|Media of Qatar}}
{{see also|Television in Qatar}}
{{multiple image |align=right |direction=vertical |width=
|image1=Al jazeera arabic.jpg |caption1=[[Al Jazeera Arabic]] Building
|image2=Al Jazeera English Newsdesk.jpg |caption2=[[Al Jazeera English]] Newsroom
}}
Qatar's first radio station, Mosque Radio, began broadcasting in the 1960s from Doha.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Gunter|first1=Barrie |last2=Dickinson|first2=Roger|title=News Media in the Arab World: A Study of 10 Arab and Muslim Countries|publisher=Bloomsbury Academic|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=t4DFAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA31|year=2013|page=31|isbn=978-1-4411-7466-6}}</ref> The multinational media conglomerate [[Al Jazeera Media Network]] is based in Doha with its wide variety of channels of which [[Al Jazeera Arabic]], [[Al Jazeera English]], [[Al Jazeera Documentary Channel]], [[Al Jazeera Mubasher]], [[beIN Sports Arabia]] and other operations are based in the TV Roundabout in the city.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=237567244|title=Company Overview of Al Jazeera Media Network|publisher=Bloomberg|access-date=2 October 2015|archive-date=13 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180813043928/https://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=237567244|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Al-Kass Sports Channel]]'s headquarters is also located in Doha.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/al-kass-selects-bfe-integrator-090000964.html|title=Al Kass Selects BFE as Integrator|website=Finance.yahoo.com|date=23 August 2012|access-date=2 October 2015|archive-date=17 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221217145736/https://finance.yahoo.com/news/al-kass-selects-bfe-integrator-090000964.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
Al Jazeera Media Network serves as the overarching entity overseeing [[Al Jazeera English]], [[Al Jazeera Arabic]], [[AJ+]] along with several other fact-based media endeavors that bear the same distinct brand. Originally conceived as a satellite TV channel delivering Arabic news and [[Current affairs (news format)|current affairs]], it has since evolved into a multifaceted media network encompassing various platforms such as online, specialized [[television channel]]s in numerous languages, and more.
The organization is a [[private foundation|private foundation for]] [[Public interest law|public benefit]] under Qatari law.
<ref name="washingtonexaminer.com">{{cite web
| url          = https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/al-jazeera-pushes-back-on-gop-effort-to-force-it-to-register-as-a-foreign-agent
| title        = Al Jazeera pushes back on GOP effort to force it to register as a foreign agent
| date = 19 June 2019
| access-date  = 29 Oct 2023
| archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20230829155606/https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/al-jazeera-pushes-back-on-gop-effort-to-force-it-to-register-as-a-foreign-agent
| archive-date = 29 Aug 2023  |url-status = live
}}
</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Human Rights Watch: US Presses for Censorship of Jazeera TV |url=https://www.hrw.org/legacy/campaigns/september11/aljazeera.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230815043330/https://www.hrw.org/legacy/campaigns/september11/aljazeera.htm |archive-date=15 Aug 2023 |access-date=2023-11-11 |website=www.hrw.org}}</ref>  Despite allegations of government control,
<ref>{{cite web
| url          = https://www.axios.com/2021/03/03/doj-enforce-al-jazeera-foreign-agent-ruling
| title        = DOJ pressed to enforce Al Jazeera foreign agent ruling
| access-date  = 29 Oct 2023
| archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20230601171549/https://www.axios.com/2021/03/03/doj-enforce-al-jazeera-foreign-agent-ruling
| archive-date =  1 Jun 2023  |url-status = live
}}
</ref>
<ref name="washingtonexaminer.com"/>
<ref>{{cite web
| url          = https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/6/20/al-jazeera-rebuts-renewed-push-for-foreign-agent-registration
| title        = Al Jazeera rebuts renewed push for 'foreign agent' registration
| access-date  = 29 Oct 2023
| archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20230526093918/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/6/20/al-jazeera-rebuts-renewed-push-for-foreign-agent-registration
| archive-date =  26 May 2023  |url-status = live
}}
</ref> It was founded in 1996 by the then [[Emir of Qatar]] [[Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani]].<ref>{{cite web
| url         = http://allied-media.com/aljazeera/jazeera_history.html
| title         = AL JAZEERA TV: The History of the Controversial Middle East News Station Arabic News Satellite Channel History of the Controversial Station
| publisher         = Allied-media
| access-date         = 12 April 2012
| archive-date         = 16 April 2012
| archive-url         = https://web.archive.org/web/20120416064528/http://www.allied-media.com/aljazeera/jazeera_history.html
| url-status         = live
}}</ref>
=== Theatre ===
{{main|Theatre in Qatar}}
The first official theatre troupe in the country was created in 1972 as the "Qatari Theatrical Troupe". It went on to produce its first play the same year.<ref name="mofa">{{cite web|url=http://www.mofa.gov.qa/en/Qatar/Pages/CultureAndArts.aspx|title=Culture, Arts and Heritage|publisher=[[Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Qatar)|Ministry of Foreign Affairs]]|accessdate=17 December 2015|archive-date=6 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131006080414/http://www.mofa.gov.qa/en/Qatar/Pages/CultureAndArts.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref> The next year, a second troupe was founded as the Al Sadd Theatrical Troupe.<ref name="tamra">{{cite book|last=Orr|first=Tamra|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ID7fa0Mn3RkC&pg=PA98|title=Qatar|publisher=Cavendish Square Publishing|series=Cultures of the World|year=2008|isbn=978-0761425663|page=98|access-date=22 November 2023|archive-date=12 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231212120324/https://books.google.com/books?id=ID7fa0Mn3RkC&pg=PA98#v=onepage&q&f=false|url-status=live}}</ref> By 1986, the first company had been founded with the intent of aiding troupes and actors in producing plays.<ref name="mofa"/> Two further troupes were also created during this period: the Lights Theatrical Troupe and Folk Theatrical Troupe. In 1994, the four troupes were amalgamated into two troupes which were named the Qatari Theatrical Troupe and the Doha Theatrical Troupe.<ref name="tamra"/>
Theatre was introduced to Qatar in the mid-20th century. Theatrical performances are held at [[Qatar National Theater]] and at the [[Qatar National Convention Centre|Qatar National Convention Center]] in Doha.
==Sites and attractions==
Doha has many sites and attractions that include [[The Pearl Island]], [[Qatar National Museum]], [[Aspire Park]], [[Souq Waqif]], [[Katara Cultural Village]], [[Doha Corniche]], [[Aspire Tower]], [[Abdulla Bin Zaid Al Mahmoud Islamic Cultural Center|Fanar]], [[Museum of Islamic Art, Doha]], [[Doha Tower]], [[Tornado Tower]], [[Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex]], [[Oxygen Park]], [[Doha Golf Club]], [[Galeries Lafayette]], [[Al Hazm Mall]], [[World Trade Center Doha]], [[Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art]] and [[Msheireb Downtown Doha]].
==Twin and sister cities==
Twin and sister cities of Doha are (as per agreements):
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
*[[Tunis]], Tunisia (since 1994)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.commune-tunis.gov.tn/publish/content/article.asp?id=19030|title=International Cooperation|publisher=Municipality of Tunis|access-date=31 May 2018|archive-date=1 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160601231117/http://www.commune-tunis.gov.tn/publish/content/article.asp?id=19030|url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[Alameda, California]] (since 2004)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://desktop.gulf-times.com/stories/t/95108/0/Alameda%20County|title=Alameda California cuts ties with the emir|publisher=Gulf Times|date=11 July 2019|access-date=22 September 2019}}{{Dead link|date=February 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
*[[Port Louis]], Mauritius (since 2007)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mccpl.mu/ct_int.html|title=International Links|publisher=City Council of Port Louis|access-date=31 May 2018|archive-date=21 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200521190429/http://www.mccpl.mu/ct_int.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[Beijing]], China (since 2008)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ebeijing.gov.cn/Sister_Cities/Sister_City/|title=Sister cities|publisher=eBeijing|access-date=18 July 2015|archive-date=16 February 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100216015454/http://www.ebeijing.gov.cn/Sister_Cities/Sister_City/}}</ref>
*[[Beit Sahour]], Palestine (since 2009)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.beitsahourmunicipality.com/en/twinning/twinnings|title=Twinning|publisher=Beit Sahour Municipality Palestine|access-date=30 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180709185645/https://www.beitsahourmunicipality.com/en/twinning/twinnings|archive-date=9 July 2018}}</ref>
*[[Banjul]], Gambia (since 2011)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://allafrica.com/stories/201110281494.html|title=Gambia: Banjul Signs Twinnng Pact With Doha|publisher=The Daily Observer (Banjul)|author=Momodou Faal|date=28 October 2011|access-date=31 May 2018|archive-date=31 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111031162557/http://allafrica.com/stories/201110281494.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[Algiers]], Algeria (since 2013)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gulf-times.com/story/656920/Amir-s-visit-to-Algeria-significant-envoy|title=Amir's visit to Algeria significant: envoy|publisher=Gulf Times|date=26 February 2020|access-date=6 May 2020|archive-date=26 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200226212611/https://www.gulf-times.com/story/656920/Amir-s-visit-to-Algeria-significant-envoy|url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[Sarajevo]], Bosnia and Herzegovina (since 2018)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/20/02/2018/Qatar-and-Bosnia-vow-to-boost-ties|title=Qatar and Bosnia vow to boost ties|publisher=The Peninsula|date=20 February 2018|access-date=31 May 2018|archive-date=10 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180310051925/https://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/20/02/2018/Qatar-and-Bosnia-vow-to-boost-ties|url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[Brasília]], Brazil (since 2014)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.al-sharq.com/article/23/02/2014/%D8%A7%D8%AA%D9%81%D8%A7%D9%82%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%AA%D9%88%D8%A3%D9%85%D8%A9-%D8%A8%D9%8A%D9%86-%D9%85%D8%AF%D9%8A%D9%86%D8%AA%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AF%D9%88%D8%AD%D8%A9-%D9%88%D8%A8%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%B2%D9%8A%D9%84%D9%8A%D8%A7|title=اتفاقية توأمة بين مدينتي الدوحة وبرازيليا|publisher=Al Sharq|language=ar|date=23 February 2014|access-date=31 May 2018|archive-date=19 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201019000658/https://al-sharq.com/article/23/02/2014/%D8%A7%D8%AA%D9%81%D8%A7%D9%82%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%AA%D9%88%D8%A3%D9%85%D8%A9-%D8%A8%D9%8A%D9%86-%D9%85%D8%AF%D9%8A%D9%86%D8%AA%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AF%D9%88%D8%AD%D8%A9-%D9%88%D8%A8%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%B2%D9%8A%D9%84%D9%8A%D8%A7|url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[Sofia]], Bulgaria (since 2012)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pressarabia.qa/2012/11/28/he-prime-minister-presides-over-cabinet-regular-meeting/|title=HE Prime Minister Presides Over Cabinet Regular Meeting|publisher=Press Arabia|date=28 November 2012|access-date=31 May 2018|archive-date=18 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201018220305/https://pressarabia.qa/2012/11/28/he-prime-minister-presides-over-cabinet-regular-meeting/}}</ref>
*[[San Salvador]], El Salvador (since 2018)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mme.gov.qa/cui/view.dox?siteID=1&id=456&contentID=5430|title=توقيع اتفاقية توأمة بين بلديتي الدوحة وسان سلفادور|publisher=Ministry of Municipality and Environment|language=ar|date=29 March 2018|access-date=31 May 2018|archive-date=12 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220212034104/https://www.mme.gov.qa/cui/view.dox?siteID=1&id=456&contentID=5430|url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[Tbilisi]], Georgia (since 2012)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://qatar.mfa.gov.ge/default.aspx?sec_id=844&lang=2|title=Legal Framework|publisher=Embassy of Georgia to the State of Qatar|access-date=31 May 2018|archive-date=7 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180707202042/http://qatar.mfa.gov.ge/default.aspx?sec_id=844&lang=2|url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[Astana]], Kazakhstan (since 2011)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.raya.com/news/pages/92ad8b1c-965b-4a37-8d4b-7705bab6300f|title=زيارة الأمير الأخيرة لكازاخستان أعطت زخماً للعلاقات الثنائية|publisher=Al Raya|language=ar|date=11 December 2015|access-date=31 May 2018|archive-date=6 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181106205049/http://www.raya.com/news/pages/92ad8b1c-965b-4a37-8d4b-7705bab6300f|url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[Bishkek]], Kyrgyzstan (since 2018)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.diwan.gov.qa/briefing-room/news/general/lg/2018/190218/lg01?sc_lang=en|title=HH The Amir Issues Two Decrees|publisher=Government of the State of Qatar|date=19 February 2018|access-date=31 May 2018|archive-date=19 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180819182209/https://www.diwan.gov.qa/briefing-room/news/general/lg/2018/190218/lg01?sc_lang=en|url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[Mogadishu]], Somalia (since 2014)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://somaliagenda.com/mungaab-seeks-dohas-help-in-reviving-mogadishu/|title=Mungaab seeks Doha's help in reviving Mogadishu|publisher=Somali Agenda|date=13 November 2014|access-date=31 May 2018|archive-date=28 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210228092857/https://somaliagenda.com/mungaab-seeks-dohas-help-in-reviving-mogadishu/}}</ref>
*[[Ankara]], Turkey (since 2016)<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.gulf-times.com/story/509443/Doha-Ankara-sign-twinning-agreement|title=Doha, Ankara sign twinning agreement|newspaper=Gulf Times|date=24 August 2016|access-date=31 May 2018|archive-date=31 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180531060530/http://www.gulf-times.com/story/509443/Doha-Ankara-sign-twinning-agreement|url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[Los Angeles, California]], United States (since 2016)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2016/12/265204.htm|title=Joint Statement by the United States and Qatar on the Conclusion of the Second Annual Economic and Investment Dialogue|publisher=U.S. Department of State|date=13 December 2016|access-date=31 May 2018|archive-date=21 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180521211933/https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2016/12/265204.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>(Despite being acknowledged as an agreement, no mention of it in the official Los Angeles website as the sister city.)
*[[Miami, Florida]], United States (since 2016)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://istithmarusa.com/cousin-news/twinning-agreement-between-miami-and-doha|title=Twinning Agreement between Miami and Doha|publisher=Istithmar USA|date=5 June 2016|access-date=31 May 2018|archive-date=9 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180709185338/http://istithmarusa.com/cousin-news/twinning-agreement-between-miami-and-doha|url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[Libertador Bolivarian Municipality|Libertador]], Venezuela (since 2015)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://mofa.gov.qa/en/all-mofa-news/details/2015/11/25/hh-the-emir-venezuelan-president-witness-signing-of-agreements|title=HH the Emir, Venezuelan President Witness Signing of Agreements|publisher=Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Qatar)|date=25 November 2015|access-date=31 May 2018|archive-date=27 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220327064607/https://mofa.gov.qa/en/all-mofa-news/details/2015/11/25/hh-the-emir-venezuelan-president-witness-signing-of-agreements|url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[Charleston, South Carolina]], United States(2019)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://m.gulf-times.com/story/645172/Doha-and-US-city-of-Charleston-sign-twinning-agreement|title=Doha and US city of Charleston sign twinning agreement|date=22 October 2019|access-date=14 November 2022|archive-date=14 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221114154006/https://m.gulf-times.com/story/645172/Doha-and-US-city-of-Charleston-sign-twinning-agreement|url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[Yerevan]], Armenia (since 2022)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.primeminister.am/en/press-release/item/2022/06/13/Nikol-Pashinyan-Qatar-13-06/#:~:text=Yerevan%20Mayor%20Hrachya%20Sargsyan%20and,and%20Doha%20as%20sister%20cities.|title=The meeting of the Prime Ministers of Armenia and Qatar took place, based on the results of which a number of documents were signed|publisher=primeminister.am|date=13 June 2022|access-date=14 June 2022|archive-date=14 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220614063414/https://www.primeminister.am/en/press-release/item/2022/06/13/Nikol-Pashinyan-Qatar-13-06/#:~:text=Yerevan%20Mayor%20Hrachya%20Sargsyan%20and,and%20Doha%20as%20sister%20cities.|url-status=live}}</ref>
{{div col end}}
==Gallery==
<gallery mode="packed" heights="110">
File:West Bay district of Doha seen from the corniche at night.jpg|Doha skyline at night
File:Dark clouds over West Bay Skyline in Doha.jpg|[[Doha Corniche]] is the 7&nbsp;km long waterfront that connects the new district of [[West Bay (Doha)|West Bay]] with the old district of [[Al Bidda|Al-Bidda]] and [[Al Souq (Doha)|Al-Souq]] on the other end.
File:Skyline of Doha West Bay.jpg|Skyline of Doha West Bay from Sheraton Park
File:Souq Waqif, Doha, Catar, 2013-08-05, DD 80.JPG|The spring festival at [[Souq Waqif]], Doha
File:View of Amiri Diwan from the corniche.jpg|Qatar's [[Amir of Qatar|Amir (ruler)]] is housed in the [[Amiri Diwan of the State of Qatar|Amiri Diwan]], located in the historic [[Al Bidda]] district.
File:Msheireb Low-res.jpg|[[Msheireb Downtown Doha|Musheireb downtown Doha]] development
File:Doha Qatar (40562709000).jpg|[[Night]] in Doha
File:Aspire Park, Doha - panoramio (1).jpg|[[Aspire Park]] and [[Aspire Tower]] a part of the Aspire zone.
File:Buildings in West Bay from Dareen Tower (2).jpg|Aerial view of a part of the city
File:St.r.JPG|The [[Katara Cultural Village]] is designed to be a hub of human interaction connecting theatre, literature, music, visual art, conventions and exhibitions in a planned development on the waterfront.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.katara.net/en/About-Katara|title=About Katara|website=Katara.net|language=en-US|access-date=2018-05-14|archive-date=13 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191013123247/http://www.katara.net/en/About-Katara|url-status=live}}</ref>
File:Villagio Mall, Aspire Park, Doha - panoramio (3).jpg|The [[Villaggio Mall]]
File:Katara village 11.jpg|Central plaza at [[Katara Cultural Village]]
File:Msheireb Enrichment Centre moored off Doha Corniche.jpg|Msheireb Enrichment Centre moored off Doha Corniche is a learning center focused on the history and developments of Doha, particularly the Musheirib district.
File:Doha 0430.jpg|The [[Q-Post|post office]] building in Qatar sits located on the main Corniche street.
File:Bridge in Qanat Quartier.jpg|Qanat Quartier at The Pearl Island
File:Doha - Museum of Islamic Art.jpg|Doha skyline from the Museum of Islamic Art
File:Sia-Moore-Mondrian-Doha-1-1 (1).jpg|[[Mondrian Doha]]
File:Al Hazm.jpg|[[Al Hazm Mall]] at Night
</gallery>
==Notable people==
* [[Nourah Al Saad]] (born 1964) - writer
==See also==
* [[Timeline of Doha]]
* [[Doha Declaration on the TRIPS agreement and public health|Doha Declaration]]
* [[Doha Development Round]] of [[World Trade Organization]] (WTO) talks
* [[Qatar National Day]], which is held in Doha every year on December 18
==References==
{{Reflist}}
==External links==
{{commons category|Doha}}
{{wikivoyage}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110119154215/http://www.worldarab.net/content/doha-projects-and-buildings Projects in Doha and Major Construction and Architectural Developments]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060115064348/http://www.thepersiangulf.org/cities/doha.html Information and History of Doha]
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