Doha Corniche — Attraction in Doha

Qatar at Glance

The State of Qatar is a sovereign and independent state in the Middle East, occupying a peninsula that juts into the Arabian Gulf. Since its complete independence from Britain in 1971, Qatar has emerged as one of the world’s most important producers of oil and gas. It is an Islamic State whose laws and customs follow the Islamic tradition. Since 2013, the country has been governed by HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani.

Location and geography The State of Qatar is a peninsula located amid the western coast of the Arabian Gulf. The peninsular is approximately 100km across and extends 200km into the Gulf. Qatar includes several islands the largest of which are, Halul, Shraouh and Al-Asshat.. shares its southern border with Saudi Arabia and a maritime border Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Iran.

Topography The land mainly consists of a flat rocky plain, covered with a range of low limestone outcroppings in Jebel Dukhan in the west and Jebel Fuyart in the north. This plain is mostly marked by its many inland seas (Khors), bays and basins called (al-Riyadh) over the northern and middle areas that are considered to be the most fertile lands housing different natural plants.

Area Qatar occupies an area of 11,521 square kilometers.

Population Qatar has a population of approximately 2.3 million.

Capital City Qatar’s capital city is Doha (in Arabic, ad-Dawḥa, which means ‘the big tree’)

Major Cities Doha (capital), Al-Wakrah, Al-Khor, Dukhan, Al-Shamal, Msaieed, Ras Lafan and others.

Religion Islam is the official religion of the State of Qatar, and the Islamic Law (Sharia) shall be the principal source of its legislation.

Economy Since the mid-1800s, Qatar has grown from a poor British protectorate known for pearling into one of the world’s most important oil and gas producing countries. While there is increasing investment in non-energy sectors, oil and gas still account for more than half of the Gross Domestic Product. Due to its substantial reserves of oil and gas, the country has one of the highest incomes per capita in the world.

LARGEST LISTED COMPANIES BY MARKET CAPITALISATION($bn)Qatar National Bank26Industries Qatar20Ezdan Real Estate Company16Qatar Telecom7.4Commercial Bank of Qatar5.6Masraf al-Rayan5.5Qatar Islamic Bank5.5Qatar Electricity & Water Company3.8Doha Bank3.6Barwa Real Estate Company3.1=As of 8 December 2011. Source: Doha Stock Exchange

GDP BY SECTOR, 2010Mining & quarrying56Other services11Finance, insurance & real estate9Manufacturing7Trade, restaurants & hotels6Transport & communications6Construction5GDP =gross domestic product. Source: Qatar National Bank

Language Arabic is the official language of the country, though English is widely spoken.

Climate Qatar has a desert climate with hot summers, warm winters and scarce rainfall.

Currency Qatari Riyal (1 Riyal = 100 Dirhams). The Riyal is pegged to the US Dollar ($US 1 = QAR 3.65).

National Day Qatar National Day is held on 18th December every year in celebration and commemoration of Sheikh Jassim Bin Mohammad Al-Thani, the founder of the State of Qatar.

Official Working Hours Ministries and Government Entities: from 7am to 2 pm Private Companies and Organisations: from 8am to 12pm and from 4pm to 8pm Banks: from 7:30am to 1pm

Official Holidays Fridays and Saturdays are official days off in Qatar Qatar National Day: December 18 (annually) National Sport Day on Tuesday of the second week of February (annually) The holy Eid Al-Fitr The holy Eid Al-Adha

Local Time GMT +3 hours.

Electric Current 220 – 240 + 6V/50Hz. A mix of plugs: 3-pin square and 2-pin...

The Corniche is a waterfront promenade which runs along the Doha bay to the city. It is a really popular place for walkers, skaters, joggers and generally people who just want to stroll.

At the beginning of The Corniche is Sheraton Park, there is also a children’s play area, café, and a green area where you can sit and relax under the shade of the trees.

There’s also a car park, this tends to get full very quickly at certain times of the day (usually the evenings). In 2017, there were parking bays that ran alongside the front of the Corniche, but due to the ongoing construction have been taken away.

Further along the Corniche, at certain times you can see people fishing in the clear water, there’s also a small little beaches for paddling, however, no swimming is allowed.

There are tourist dhows that will take you on a trip to several other locations dotted along the Corniche. If there is a group of you, you can possibly haggle a good price.

Further along, is Al Bidda Park, this is on the opposite side of the road. Here there is a children’s play area, with open space perfect for picnics and you can also buy refreshments.

Continuing along the Corniche you will come across the Emirs palace, which is the official home of the Qatar Government, there is Doha Port, which also has parking and The National Museum of Qatar, where you can learn a lot about the country’s heritage. There is an remarkable pearl sculpture as well as many other sculptures along the way. The Museum of Islamic Art, which alongside arabic artworks displays artworks from all over the world.

You will evidently also reach Souq Waqif, where you can fined the Falcon Souq, nearby horse and camals, many shops and stalls, and plenty of restaurants to suit a variety of palettes.

Be prepared when walking along the Corniche, apart from the one cafè there are no facilities. Walk with water. If you are going to walk the full 7k, as hot as it is, wear trainers or appropriate...

During my recent trip to Qatar, I had the pleasure of staying near the Corniche area in Doha. The Doha Corniche, a lush, semi-circular linear public space, extends for seven kilometers along the crescent-shaped Doha Bay, serving as the central location for national celebrations, including the Qatar National Day Parade and National Sports Day, as well as various religious, civic, and sporting events. This waterfront promenade and dual carriageway is one of the most popular tourist and recreational destinations in Qatar.

The Corniche area is surrounded by multinational hotels, parks, skyscrapers, and Souq Waqif, creating a vibrant and dynamic atmosphere. Witnessing the sunrise at Doha Corniche is truly a mesmerizing experience, and the night view is equally incredible. The illuminated skyscrapers reflect beautifully on the water, and the iconic logo of the Qatar World Cup placed in the water adds to the stunning nightscape.

One of the highlights of my visit was a boat ride along the Corniche. The decorated traditional boat ride was an unforgettable experience. The cool breeze and the breathtaking view from the water were simply amazing. On one side, the iconic mosque at Souq Waqif stands majestically, while on the other, the illuminated skyscrapers create a dazzling display.

I highly recommend taking a boat ride in the evening if you are visiting Doha. The combination of the serene water, the picturesque skyline, and the vibrant ambiance make it a truly...