ABOUT DOHA
Doha, capital of the peninsular Arabian Gulf country Qatar, is a modern city on Doha Bay. Ringing its downtown waterfront are numerous parks and the Corniche Promenade. On a man-made island, the I.M. Pei–designed Museum of Islamic Art houses an extensive collection from across the Muslim world. At Souq Waqif, a traditional market, vendors offer goods like clothing, crafts and spices.
Near Souq Waqif is turreted Doha Fort (Al Koot Fort), built in the 1920s and now containing a small museum. The Mathaf Arab Museum of Modern Art focuses mainly on art of the Arabian Peninsula, with works dating from the 19th century to today. Wooden boats cruise Doha Bay, offering skyscraper and Corniche views. The northern Katara neighborhood has a beach and cultural center. Offshore is the Pearl, a massive artificial island with high-end shops. Nearby, Doha Golf Club has an 18-hole championship course. Twenty kilometers northwest, Barzan Tower is a watchtower completed in the early 1900s.
