Municipalities in Qatar: Geographical Divisions and Sub Divisions

Did you know that there are eight municipalities in Qatar (Baladiyat)? Municipalities are used to divide the country; much way states or provinces are used in other countries. According to the Ministry of Municipality and Environment, Qatar Municipality was founded in 1963 and was the first municipality in Qatar. In the same year, it was renamed Doha Municipality.

List of Municipalities in Qatar For You To Explore The Country At Your Own Pace

Mentioned below are the eight municipalities in Qatar. have a look at it for an easy tour around the nation.

1. Doha Municipality

The majority of Qatar's residential, financial, and administrative centers are located in Doha, the country's modern capital city. The Hamad Medical City, Industrial Area, and Hamad International Airport are also located in this area. According to a study from the Planning and Statistics Authority in 2015, it is also the most populous municipality, with 956,457 people living in a 219.7-square-kilometer area. Doha Metro has three lines that all meet at Msheireb Station, which connects the city. It may be found in Qatar's central east. Al Daayen is located north of Doha, and Al Wakrah municipality is located south of Doha. Al Rayyan municipality is located to the west of the city and Umm Salal is on its northwest.

Top Sites to Visit in Doha Municipality

• Hamad Medical City
• Hamad International Airport
• Katara Cultural Village
• The Pearl - Qatar
• Amiri Diwan
• Souq Waqif
• Doha Corniche
• National Museum of Qatar
• Museum of Islamic Art

Top Restaurants and Cafes in Doha Municipality

• Maru Korean BBQ Restaurant
• Nourlaya Contemporary Sri Lankan
• Parisa Souq Waqif
• IDAM by Alain Ducasse
• Jamavar Doha
• Shay Al Shoomos
• Mesob Ethiopian Restaurant
• Evergreen Organics
• Shujaa Restaurant
• Turkey Central Restaurant
• Viva Mexico
• Barrio Fiesta
• Himalayan Restaurant
• Desert Rose Cafe
• Three Peppers Chinese Restaurant
• Morimoto Doha

2. Al Rayyan Municipality

In 1972, the Ministry of Municipality and Urban Planning established Al Rayyan as an independent municipality. It is the country's third-largest municipality and the second-most populous after Doha, with over 600,000 people living primarily in the city of Al Rayyan.

Open deserts, farmland, and scattered rural villages characterize its southwest side, which contrasts with its busy and metropolitan eastern side, which is home to Al Rayyan city. Al Rayyan Sporting Club (SC), Al Gharafa SC, Muaither SC, Mesaimeer SC, and Al Sailiya SC are among the city's sports clubs. Al Rayyan Stadium, Khalifa International Stadium, and Education City Stadium will all be utilized in the FIFA World Cup 2022, which will be held in the municipality.

Top Sites to Visit in Al Rayyan Municipality

• Al Wajbah Fort
• Aspire Zone
• Education City
• Villaggio Mall
• Al Shaqab Horse Racing Academy
• Sidra Medical and Research Center
• Mall of Qatar

Top Restaurants and Cafes in Al Rayyan Municipality

• Chef's Garden
• Rolly
• Tandoor Restaurant
• Afghan Brothers Restaurant
• Rooster's
• Star Damascus Restaurant
• Sugar & Spice

3. Umm Salal Municipality

Umm Salal Municipality was founded in 1972 and means "mother of rocks" since "Umm" means mother and "Salal" means rocks or stones. It was given that name because of the various rock formations that can be observed in the vicinity. Doha lies to the southeast, Al Khor to the north, Al Daayen to the east, Al Rayyan to the south, and Al Shahaniya to the west, all of which are landlocked municipalities.

Top Sites to Visit in Umm Salal Municipality

• Barzan Towers
• Barzan Olympic Park

Top Restaurants and Cafes in Umm Salal Municipality

• The Coffee Club
• Paper Moon
• Espressolab
• Calm Street Coffee & Roastery
• Al Halabi House Restaurant

4. Al Khor & Al Thakira Municipality (Al-Khawr & Dhakirah)

The municipality, which was founded in 1972 and is located on the country's northeast coast, was administered by the Al Muhannadi, a Bedouin tribe made up of many families. The name Al Khawr refers to a bay, and it was also the name of the municipal seat, which was located near one. After Doha, Al Khor is another important city in Qatar. Natural gas and agricultural industries like as fishing and farming support the municipality's economy.

In Qatar, mangrove forests can be found in abundance around Al Khor and Al Thakhira. You may go kayaking here and enjoy a lush and beautiful part of Qatar. Al Khor is home to the Al Bayt Stadium, which resembles a tent. It gets its name from "Bayt Al Sha'ar," nomadic tents used in Qatar and the Gulf region in the past. In the near future, Al Khor will get its own Metro station, which will be part of the Red Line North.

Top Sites to Visit in Al Khor & Al Thakira Municipality (Al-Khawr & Dhakirah)

• Al Khor Corniche
• Al Khor Towers
• Al Khor Family Park
• Purple Island (Al Khor Island)
• Al Khor Mall
• Al Sultan Beach Resort

Top Restaurants and Cafes in Al Khor & Al Thakira Municipality (Al-Khawr & Dhakirah)

• Behesht
• Cairo Restaurant
• Just Samoosa
• Kalimera
• Ottoman Palace
• Pearl of Beirut
• Panoor Restaurant
• The Sizzlers
• Turkiye Kebab

5. Al Wakrah Municipality (Al Wakra)

Originally, Al Wakrah was a modest pearling and fishing hamlet. It has expanded to become Qatar's second-largest municipality in terms of the area throughout the years (299, 037 sq. km.). It is bordered on the north by Doha and on the west by Al Rayyan. The municipality, along with four other municipalities, was founded in 1972. According to the PSA 2015 report, it has a population of over 300,000 people.

The name Al Wakrah comes from the Arabic word "wakar," which means "bird's nest." This name was given in honor of a neighboring hill that housed the nests of various birds, according to the Ministry of Municipality and Environment. Khor Al Adaid, a UNESCO-recognized natural reserve, is one of the municipality's most well-known attractions (Inland Sea). Al Wakrah is also home to Mesaieed's industrial center. Al Janoub Stadium (Al Wakrah Stadium) is the southernmost stadium that will host a FIFA World Cup match in 2022.

Top Sites to Visit in Al Wakrah Municipality (Al Wakra)

• Souq Al Wakrah
• Inland Sea (Khor Al Adaid)
• Sealine Beach Resort
• Shell roundabout (Pearl Monument)
• Al Wakrah Family Beach
• Hamad Port

Top Restaurants and Cafes in Al Wakrah Municipality (Al Wakra)

• Danat Al Bahar BBQ Fish
• Al Fanar Restaurant
• Mercato Antico
• Gharissa Ice Cream
• Tofu & Cake
• Wakrah Hyderabadi Spices
• Himalayan restaurant
• OG Street Kitchen

Suggested Read: Places To Visit In Saudi Arabia: Top Attractions To Uncover The Mystical Vibes of This Arabian Country

6. Al Daayen Municipality

Al Daayen municipality was established in 2014, making it Qatar's seventh municipality. It is located on the beach road near the Smisma bridge in the east of the Umm Qarn area. It is bordered on the north by Al Khor, on the south by Doha, and on the west by Umm Salal. The name Al Daayen is derived from the Arabic word "dhaayen," which means "to wander."

The Qatar National Master Plan intends to make Al Daayen "an appealing, sustainable area that balances expansion with environmental assets and Qatari communities' cultural identities." The futuristic Lusail City will be its main attraction, as will the 80,000-seat Lusail Stadium, which will host the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 final. Lusail LRT will connect to the Doha Metro Red Line after it is completed.

Top Sites to Visit in Al Daayen Municipality

• Lusail City
• Lusail International Circuit
• Lusail Sports Arena
• Lusail Stadium
• Crescent Park
• IKEA Qatar
• Doha Festival City

Top Restaurants and Cafes in Al Daayen Municipality

• Lean N Fit
• Ikea Food (Restaurant & Barista)
• La Pasta & Pizzeria
• Ghanima Cafe

7. Al Shamal Municipality

Al Shamal is Qatar's least populated municipality, located in the country's northwestern corner. Madinat ash Shamal is the capital city of Shamal, which means 'north' in Arabic. To the south, it is bounded by Al Khor, while to the north, it is encircled by the Arabian Gulf. Throughout the municipality, there are abandoned towns, ancient sites, and protected areas. Beaches such as Fuwairit, Al Maroona, Al Ghariya, Al Jasasiya Beach, and Aba Zaluf West Beach are popular among citizens and inhabitants.

Top Sites to Visit in Al Shamal Municipality

• Al Zubara Fort and Museum
• Al Reem Biosphere Reserve
• Al Shamal SC Stadium
• Al Ruwais Port
• Film City
• Al Shamal Park

Top Restaurants and Cafes in Al Shamal Municipality

• Nokhetha Al Shamal Restaurant
• Leewan Al Shamal Restaurant
• Al Shamal Irani Restaurant
• Rukun Shai
• Al Kayi Burger
• Sea Shell Restaurant
• Istanbul Garden Restaurant

Suggested Read: Culture Of Qatar: A Sneak Peek Into The Traditional Lifestyle Of The Locals

8. Al Sheehaniya Municipality (Al Shahaniya)

Al Sheehaniya was once a part of Al Rayyan but was broken off in 2014 to become its separate municipality. It was named after a plant called as'sheeh' in the area, which was prized for its anti-inflammatory properties. The majority of camel racing and oryx breeding activities in Qatar take place within the municipality. With a total size of 3 308.9 square kilometers, Al Shahaniya is the largest municipality.

Al Shahaniya City is the municipality's and central Qatar's largest settlement. It is located midway between Dukhan and Doha, Qatar, and is just off the Dukhan Highway. It serves as a key point for nearby rural villages such as Rawdat Rashed and Al Khurayb as an urban center.

Top Sites to Visit in Al Sheehaniya Municipality

• Al Shahaniya camel race track
• Al Dosari Zoo and Game Reserve
• Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani Museum

Top Restaurants and Cafes in Al Sheehaniya Municipality

• Manhil Restaurant & Juice Stall
• Mendi Hadramoot Restaurant & Kitchens
• Aryaas Restaurant
• Rawah Restaurant

If you are even a teensy bity curious about the geographical distribution of Qatar, well then this blog must have been the perfect pick for you. With Many places to visit and delicious restaurants, these municipalities in Qatar offer a lot to do. So, what are you waiting for then? Avail yourself of the best Qatar luxury tour packages and plan a trip to these iconic areas to have a convenient trip.

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