History in Doha

A peninsula stretching out from Saudi Arabia into the Arabian Gulf, Qatar has had a long and rich history. Human habitation dates back to the Stone Age, when flint was the primary resource of the peninsula. Although the inhabitants were mostly nomadic, the towns that did eventually take root were predominantly on the east coast. One of these, Al Bida, would eventually become Doha, now the capital of Qatar and the home of more than two-fifths of its population.

The 19th Century

For most of the 19th century, Doha was a fairly small, sleepy little village that was mostly based around the trade of pearls found off the coast. Its fairly innocuous nature, however, did not stop the village from being destroyed in 1867 during the war between Bahrain and Qatar. After several more years of unrest, during which time the Ottomans briefly took control, Qatar became a British protected state in 1916.

Pearls to Oil

The pearls that continued to be Doha's main livelihood took a serious downturn at the start of the 20th century. The combination of the development of cultured pearls by the Japanese and the worldwide economic depression of the 1930s significantly reduced the market value of Doha's main export. Doha and the surrounding region's economic slump continued until the end of World War II, in 1945. The discovery and production of oil was Qatar's economic salvation.

Development

Doha officially became the capital of an independent Qatar in 1971, and a great deal of the newfound oil wealth was funneled into the city. In the rush to modernize, most of the original city has been lost, although it still retains some of the original character of the Arabian Gulf fishing and pearling community. One place to see this is the Souqs, or marketplaces, located around the city.

Higher Education

While a great deal of its wealth is still centered around oil and natural gas, presently Doha is trying to diversify its economy, by building up the tourist trade and promoting education and the pursuit of higher education. Education City, on the outskirts of Doha, was founded by the Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development. It covers 14 square km and houses facilities for everything from school age to graduate and research level training.

Modern Doha is a rich blend of old and new, with traditional Souqs and 19th century forts standing alongside modern buildings, such as the Museum of Islamic Art, designed by the famous modernist architect I. M. Pei. As the city continues to develop, it is sure that it will be an important part of Middle Eastern history and culture.