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Doha (Arabic: الدوحة;, Ad-Dawḥah or Ad-Dōḥah), population 400,051 (2005 census), is the capital of Qatar, and is at , on the Persian Gulf. The city is home to Doha International Airport and the major oil and fishing industries. Doha is also home to Education City, an area devoted to research and education.
History
In 1850, the city of Doha was founded under the name Al-Bida. In 1882, al Rayyan built the Al Wajbah fortress, in southwestern Doha. The following year, Sheikh Qassim led a Qatari army to victory against the Ottomans.
The city was made capital of the British protectorate of Qatar in 1916, and when the nation gained independence in 1971, Doha remained the capital of Qatar. In 1917, the Al Kout fortress, which is located in the center of the city, was built by Sheikh Abdulla Bin Qassim Al-Thani. In 1949, oil exportation began in Doha. Today the nation as a whole produces over 800 000 barrels of oil daily. In 1969, the Government House opened. Today it is considered to be Qatar's most prominent landmark.
In 1973 Qatar University opened, and in 1975 the National Museum of Qatar opened in what was originally the ruler's palace in 1912. The Al Jazeera Arabic satellite television news channel began broadcasting in 1996, with headquarters and broadcast center in Doha. Today, Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani currently rules in what some consider to be Qatar's most beautiful city
Sports
Losail International Circuit is located just outside Doha, and is home to the MotoGP motorcycling grand prix of Doha.
The 15th Asian games will take place in Doha in December 2006. Areas of Doha are now under construction preparing for the event.
Climate
Doha is situated in the Middle East, and as such its climate is very hot. Temperatures average over 100 degrees Fahrenheit from May to September. During the summer months, the city averages almost no precipitation, and less than an inch during other months.*
See also
- The Doha Declaration
- the Doha round of WTO talks
External links
- Community site run by residents of Doha, Qatar
- Qatar's main portal website
- Information and History of Doha
- 15th Asian Games - Doha - 2006
- History of Qatar
- Qatar Links
Capitals in Asia | Cities and towns in Qatar | Coastal cities
دوحة | Doha | Doha | Doha | Ad-Dawḩah | Doha | Dohao | Doha | 도하 | Doha | Doha | Doha | דוחה | Doha | Doha | ドーハ | Doha | Ad-Dauha | Doha | Доха (город) | Dauhá | Doha | Doha | 多哈
"Doha"