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Doha Travel Guide

The city of Doha was founded in 1850 under the name Al-Bida. The name "Doha" came from the Arabic ad-dawha, "the big tree." The reference is to a prominent tree that must have stood at the site where the original fishing village arose, on the eastern coast of the Qatar peninsula.

About Doha

Doha covers an area of 51 sq. miles (132 square Km) and is estimated to have a population of 500,000 people being the capital city of Qatar. Doha is Qatar's largest city, with over 80% of the nation's population residing in Doha and is also the main economic center.

Doha City Center

Doha City Center rivals some of the best malls in the US. Mall of America pales in comparison to this place. There are five floors jam-packed with all the name brands you could want. Dior, Abercrombie, Prada, it’s all within these walls. American favorites like Starbucks, Burger King, and KFC are scattered about for a little taste of home.
This shopping complex boasts an ice-skating rink, a rock-climbing wall, and a movie theater. I hope you have a couple of days to spare, because that’s what you’ll need to cover the entire place. I didn’t have a whole lot of time to spend here, but I spent long enough to see some beautiful dresses and suits that, once worn, are promptly covered up by traditional Arab women. More on that, later.

The mall is located right off the Corniche, or the center of town. To get around the center, there are elevators and escalators in the middle of the complex. The ice-skating rink is on the lower level and the rock wall is on the third level. The interior resembles a huge tent, and smack-dab in the middle is a beautiful glass arch. Marble floors, stairways, and a waterfall make this a must-see, BUT save your money for the souks (see attached reviews). You’ll get more for your money, there.

So, if you MUST go to a mall, this is the best one in town.



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