Doha is the capital and largest populous city of Qatar. The metropolitan population accounts for more than half of all residents of this Arab state. "Doha" literally means "big tree". Cozyly located on the coast of the Persian Gulf, the state of Qatar has long remained invisible to tourist eyes. Therefore, even sophisticated travelers can often ask: “Doha… Qatar… Where is this?”
The Qatar Peninsula, located in the east of the Arabian Peninsula, borders the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, and across the sea, Bahrain.
Qatar. Doha Airport Welcomes Passengers
The international airport, located 5 kilometers from the center of the capital, provides its customers with high-quality service. The goodwill and unobtrusive professionalism of the service personnel cause pleasant admiration for the state of Qatar. Doha Airport pleases passengers with a clear and fast transit organization. The absence of the usual Asian confusion is best combined with the maximum of services provided. Lounges, free Wi-Fi anda shuttle service, a playground, as well as many duty-free shops and restaurants, a 24-hour post office and even three mosques can be found on the territory of this airport.
In case of temporary gaps between flights, passengers are provided with free hotel rooms and visa support.
Historical and economic facts
Back in the 19th century, where the magnificent capital city now thrives, there was a modestly located fishing village, often providing shelter to pirates. They knew the port of Al-Bida very well, to which they often had to moor during long wanderings in the Persian Gulf. Since 1916, Doha began to grow, becoming the administrative center of Qatar, which at that time was a British colony.
Since the middle of the last century, Doha (Qatar) began to evolve rapidly. The rapid growth of this region was a reasonable consequence of the development of the oil and gas business. 1971 was marked by the proclamation of Qatar as an independent state, with Doha as its capital. Recently, the government of this country is looking for new ways of development: relegating raw materials to the background, the authorities of Qatar are focusing on the formation of a particularly attractive tourist zone. Impressive efforts are being made for the prosperity of aviation communications, much attention is paid to the promotion of the fishing industry and the extraction of pearls.
Hot climate features
In a hot tropical climate for European residents, the maximuma comfortable period for rest is from April to May and from September to October. During the summer, the high humidity of the coastal areas and the sweltering heat dry up the vegetation and the city of Doha. Qatar in winter is almost endless, prolonged tropical rains, typical for this season.
Architectural traditionalism
Of particular interest is the exoticism of the Arabic style and the maximum adaptation of traditional houses and buildings to the conditions of the local climate. The characteristic development of the old quarters of the city, framed by palm alleys, strangely combines with super-modern houses and avenues. The central part of urban development looks like one large construction site, where already working objects come across, most often hotels. Luxurious villas and magnificent palace ensembles of the oil kings attract the attention of not only idle tourists and distinguished guests, but also famous architects.
The most striking elements of Arab architecture are gradually becoming a newfangled trend, spreading far beyond the borders of Islamic states. Illuminated advertising and a myriad of lights in the evening give the city an enchanting and especially festive look.
Population of the city of Doha (Qatar)
A notable feature of these places are the indigenous people, who are a minority, while the rest of the population are emigrants from South Asia and the Mediterranean countries, as well as from the USA, Norway, France, Great Britain and many other countries. In the recent past, expats were prohibited by law from purchasing in Qatarland plots in the property, but at present, in relation to some areas, such prohibitions have been lifted.
Travel magnets
Many magnificent hotels and sandy beaches with swimming pools, water slides and other attractions lure fans to sunbathe and frolic in the water element.
Locals are passionate about falconry and camel racing, attracting curious tourists to such exotic entertainment. A blooming oasis in the middle of the desert is Qatar, Doha. Holidays in this Asian country will cost a lot for visiting tourists due to the lack of seasonality, which means discounts on accommodation. Attractively inviting shopping centers and souvenir shops, hotels, resort entertainment are designed for constant and considerable expenses that far from poor people can afford.
Umm-Salal-Mohammed
The richest history of Qatar, which is confirmed by the expanding geography of archaeological excavations, attracts more and more researchers. The search for traces of ancient civilizations is a concern for specialists and simply intrigued inhabitants who have visited Qatar (Doha) with interest. The sights of the young capital of the Arab state are not so monotonous and boring, as some people think. Truly fantastic visual associations arise when visiting the fort of Umm Salal Mohammed.
A small snow-white mosque with two towers and an old minaret surprisingly contrasts with the dazzling whitesultry desert and azure sea. The mounds lying in the vicinity of this fort are closely studied by archaeologists. In all likelihood, their formation is attributed to the 3rd millennium BC. e., and since according to the Islamic religion, burials in barrows are prohibited, they could have been left by the most ancient pre-Islamic tribes, and even by the mythical Atlanteans.
Museums
As one of the alleged centers of the origin of mankind in Asia, Doha (Qatar) is interesting for its museums. In the palace of Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohammed there is a national museum, the main exposition of which is a two-level aquarium inhabited by representatives of the underwater world of the bay. Some of them are currently threatened with extinction (for example, local sea turtles). Of great interest are the expositions that introduce visitors to traditional astronomical navigational instruments and methods known to ancient sailors. Attention is drawn to the historical evidence of Arab sea expeditions and various stages of the formation of Islam. Here you can find out about the traditional way of life of the Qatari people and the gradual development of the industry in this area.
The weapons museum is quite popular, mostly consisting of collection items of the Sheikh. The “highlight” of the collection is the unique Arab flintlock guns of the 12th-19th centuries. The ethnographic museum in the city of Doha (Qatar), located in a traditional Qatari building found during the construction of a shopping complex, allows you to feel and look at the living conditions and life of local residentsin the recent past, before the discovery of oil and gas in these territories. One of the museum expositions is the "wind tower", which has survived to our times, in former times representing a surprisingly effective system of natural air conditioning of a dwelling, so necessary in a hot climate.
The extremely low crime rate makes this country one of the safest in the world. Therefore, it is believed that in the evening, not only local residents, but also numerous tourists can fearlessly relax and stroll through the most remote areas, looking at the city of Doha (Qatar). “Is this some amazing place that is so hot and completely safe, but at the same time exotically interesting and quite expensive?” - travelers who have been here say with a drag of sadness.
