20 Intriguing Facts About the City of Doha

20 Intriguing Facts About the City of Doha

The shining pearl of Qatar is the city of Doha. On the northeastern shores of the Persian Gulf, Doha has carved its name on the world scene for different reasons.

Furthermore, what started as a fishing and pearl divers town has found its place as one of the global financial hubs. Doha prides itself on its cultural and historical heritage. It is also a leading tourism destination supported by advanced infrastructure and world-class landmarks. There are more fun truths about the city of Doha that you can explore below.

Here are the 20 Intriguing Facts About the City of Doha.

1. Doha is Qatar’s capital

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This city is the capital of the Middle East country, Qatar. It is the most populous city in the country hosting over 2,720,848 people as per Worldometer statistics of September 2023.

Moreover, according to a United Nations report about Qatar, over 80% of the country’s population lives in the city of Doha and its environs. The report was titled, National Implementation of Agenda 21. Besides Doha houses Qatar’s key ministries, government departments, and financial and commercial institutions.

Other than Doha, Qatar prides itself in other cities such as Umm Sa’id which is an industrial hotspot. Some of the other famed cities consist, of Dukhan, Al-Khor, Al-Shamal, Al Wakrah, Al Khuwayr, and Umm Salal Muhammad among others.

2. Doha had to wait until 1971 to receive capital status

The city of Doha was declared Qatar’s capital after the nation gained independence on September 3, 1971. The country had been under British rule since 1916 until 1971.

Subsequently, through the leadership of Emir Ahmad bin Ali Al Thani, Qatar broke free from the United Kingdom’s authority. Henceforth, the emir is head of almost all executive and legislative power as dictated by the Constitution of Qatar. The emir is also tasked with controlling the judiciary.

3. Doha is a celebrated sporting center in the Middle East

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The city was the host of the 2006 Asian Games and the Aspire Tower was constructed before the event as a symbol of these games. Doha had the privilege of hosting the FIFA World Cup in 2022. This event was the first FIFA World Cup to be held in the Arab world.

Furthermore, the ASPIRE Dome, built to support the 2006 Asian Games, is on record as the largest indoor sports facility in the world. This sports complex carries a capacity of 15,500.

The 2022 World Cup in Qatar had its share of controversies you can check here.

4. Doha – Qatar has never been part of the UAE

Before becoming the UAE (United Arab Emirates), it was known as The Trucial States. Thus the sheikhs of seven emirates teamed up to submit to be governed by British rule. In exchange for their loyalty, Britain promised to protect the Trucial Coast from any aggression by sea and offer support in case of land attacks.

Better still, many treaties were signed to formalize this and more agreements. One such was the British-Trucial Sheikhdoms treaty signed on 1 June 1843. The seven emirates involved were Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, and Fujairah.

Thus Qatar and Bahrain never joined the treaty because they were never within the agreement of The Trucial States. Hence after Qatar gained independence in September and Bahrain in August, the British-Trucial Sheikhdoms treaty also expired on 1 December 1971.

Following the expiry of the binding treaty, the two nations (Qatar and Bahrain) became independent states. The UAE was also declared a sovereign and independent state on 2 December 1971.

5. It is a coastal city on the Persian Gulf

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As Qatar’s jewel, Doha is nestled on the Persian Gulf’s east coast, also known as the Arabian Gulf. This water body is an extension of the Indian Ocean and the sea area covers at least 93,000 square miles or 241,000 square kilometers.

Additionally, it stretches about 615 miles or 990 kilometers in length. The width varies through different seasons reaching a high of 210 miles or 340 kilometers and a low of 35 miles or 55 kilometers.

Iran borders the sea on the north, northeast, and east sides. While Oman and the United Arab Emirates are in the southeast and south direction. On the southwest and west parts, Qatar, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia border the sea. Further, Kuwait and Iraq are on its northwest end.

To add on, the Persian Gulf is acclaimed for having many fishing grounds and extensive reefs. Though the rocky reefs are the majority, coral reefs are also available. Pearl oysters are also in huge numbers. But, industrialization and oil spills have over time continued to damage the ecology of this sea.

6. Doha has seen the fastest growth among Qatar’s cities

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It began as an offshoot of Al Bidda in the 1820s but by 1971, it had advanced enough to be commissioned as the country’s capital. From a fishing and pearl diving village, today the city prides itself as a reputable metropolis in the Middle East and the world.

Furthermore, being the country’s capital, it has grown into an economic, cultural, and historical center attracting visitors to the city. Better yet, it is home to over half of the country’s population.

According to the Globalization and World Cities Research Network, Doha is among the beta-level cities in the world. This means it can link moderate economic zones to the world economy.

7. Doha translates to “roundness” in English

Information from the Ministry of Municipality and Environment in Qatar states that “Doha” is borrowed from the Arabic term, “dohat”. When translated into English, it means “roundness”. Thus the name is a reference to the circular shape of the bays that surround the coastline of the city.

8. Pearl diving was one of Doha’s earliest economic activities

Dating back to as early as the 1800s, Pearl diving was a common practice in the Gulf region. In Qatar and by extension Doha, it was a big income-generating activity.

What’s more, Pearl divers used wooden boats that they called dhows to go on the Gulf waters. They also equipped themselves with simple tools like weights, ropes, and baskets on their pearl-hunting journey.

Though the activity was demanding and risky, with divers forced to swim to extreme depths of the Persian Gulf for long periods, it was a crucial source of income for locals. They endured the hardships and passed on the tradition from generation to generation. The pearls collected would be sold and that was how the communities in Doha went on about the pearl business.

9. Doha’s pearl trade was brought down by oil discovery

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It wasn’t until the 1920s that the pearl diving profession in Doha began to dip. The wane started in the 20s and by early 1930, it was no longer a lucrative venture.

One of the reasons this industry collapsed was because the oil industry in Doha was beginning to boom. This made the pearl trade an unprofitable activity thus making it unattractive to engage in.

Also, the Japanese had at the time discovered how to make artificial pearls that were flawless and more attractive, enhancing the collapse of the pearl industry.

10. It has state-of-the-art galleries and museums

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There are plenty of international art galleries and museums in Doha. For instance, The Msheireb Museums consists of four historic heritage buildings, which are the Bin Jelmood House and Company House. The other two are Mohammed Bin Jassim House and Radwani House.

More to it, the Msheireb Museums are located in the oldest part of the city, Msheireb in Downtown Doha. This adds to the heritage of these facilities. The museums offer Doha’s history in detail from its humble beginnings as a small fishing village to the worldwide metropolis it has turned into.

Besides, another win for Doha is the Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum. This international center promotes sports history, heritage, and knowledge. Further, it serves as a center for boosting academic research. It is also a member of the worldwide body, Olympic Museum Network.

The National Museum of Qatar is another highlight in the sphere of art galleries and museums.

11. Arabic is the official language in Doha

In Doha and throughout Qatar, Arabic is the official language. Yet Qatari Arabic or Gulf Arabic stands out as the popular local dialect. Arabic being the language of the Holy Quran and significant in the Islam religion, serves as a unifier of the Arab Islamic nations.

On top of that, English is also used as a second language. It is a rising lingua franca that connects Qatar to the world. The country being one of the wealthy Gulf States, has become a magnet for foreign investment and expatriate communities.

Thus English serves as the language of communication in commerce, medicine, and other fields that involve interactions with other countries.

12. Doha ranks among the world’s richest cities

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The economic prosperity of Qatar and Doha in extension is propelled by the high revenue from oil and gas extractions. Qatar is one of the leading liquefied natural gas exporters in the world. This is enabled by the huge reserves of natural gas within the country.

To boot, Qatar is also one of the world’s top exporters of crude oil. Hence the high proceeds from the oil and gas fields have led to a strong per capita for Qatar and Doha as well.

13. Oil and gas production is Doha’s economic pillar

The extraction and export of petroleum as well as natural gas in Qatar make up the country’s economic cornerstones. Their discovery happened around 1939 and production for the same started in 1949 or thereabout.

Additionally, many of the offshore discoveries of oil and gas fields were made near the city of Doha. This promoted the growth and facilities of the city after offshore production kicked off in 1964. The island of Halul hosts most of the major offshore fields, only about ninety kilometers east of Doha.

For example, the Idd ash Sharqi oil and gas fields were discovered in 1960, and the Maydan Mahzam in 1963. Both are crucial centers to oil and gas production in Qatar to the modern day.

Subsequently, petroleum products and natural gas constitute more than 70% of the total government revenue. This sector contributes to over 60% of the country’s gross domestic product and makes up for over 85% of the export earnings.

14. Doha is also a world-level tourism destination

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Though sometimes not on the radar of many travelers, Doha has many world-class tourist destinations. According to the Qatar Tourism government agency reports in 2021, the tourism sector brought in over 10% of the country’s gross domestic product.

Doha being the heart of Qatar, prides itself in many architectural, cultural, historical, shopping, and dining facilities for visitors. To cement the worldwide place of tourism in Doha, the city received the Arab Tourism Capital for 2023 designation. It was issued by the Arab Ministerial Council for Tourism.

15. Doha prides itself in some of the world’s tallest skyscrapers

The city is home to skyscrapers that are held with high regard in the world because of their height as well as their architectural design.

Moreover, the West Bay zone within the city is where many of the city’s tallest buildings are located. A perfect example is the Aspire Tower which is the tallest building in Doha. This cylindrical-shaped tower stands 300 meters or 984 feet high and has 51 floors.

See Aspire Tower and other world-famous towers that will captivate you.

16. The city has rich Islamic Art preserved

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One of the landmarks of Doha is the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA). This institution is an iconic facility that lies on an island off an artificial projecting peninsula. There is a purpose-built park that surrounds the museum on its east and south ends.  Two bridges join the museum’s southern façade to the park.

What’s more, the west and north sides showcase Doha’s seafaring past as they lie along the harbor. Other than the breathtaking views around this museum, it offers a vast collection of Islamic art spanning through many centuries.

17. Doha has one of the most futuristic transportation systems globally

One of the most captivating transport infrastructures in Doha is the Doha Metro rapid transit system. This integrated railway project has introduced to Doha one of the fastest driverless train systems around the world.

To add on, it runs on three metro lines (Red, Green, and Gold). Covering a 76 km path, there are about 37 stations spread across. Its central interchange is conveniently located in Doha’s main cultural destination in downtown Msheireb Station. The project is a work in progress with the first phase already complete and completion of the entire task set for 2026.

18. The city’s man-made island is a luxurious destination

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This artificial island is known as the Pearl and sits on about four square kilometers of reclaimed land. It is acclaimed for the spectacular waterfront views it offers as well as its luxurious lifestyle.

As per 2018 population statistics, Pearl Island was home to 27,000 residents. The area receives both local and international tourists seeking an array of upscale shopping, entertainment, and dining options.

19. Desert Safaris display the beauty of Doha’s dunes

The Desert safaris are a thrilling adventure that proves the uniqueness of the inland sea of the Arabian Peninsula. It is a chance to soak in the amazing dunes that surround the city. You can engage in activities like dune bashing, take photos in the dunes, and get up close to desert beauty.

20.  Dhow Cruises are another spectacle for Doha

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These cruises mostly take place along the Doha Bay and the Doha Corniche. It is an opportunity to immerse in the city’s skyline and unparalleled vistas around the city.

These fascinating facts about the city of Doha reveal the surprises this city holds. With a deep sense of historical and cultural accounts, brilliant architecture, and a world-class commerce center, Doha has solidified its place among the world’s most respected cities.