museum
Museum of Islamic Art
I.M. Pei's waterfront masterpiece housing the world's most comprehensive collection of Islamic art spanning 1,400 years.
15 km · about 30 min drive
AsiaQatarAl Wakrah
Al Wakrah
Al Wakrah, Qatar · Asia
About Al Wakrah
Al Wakrah is worth a stop: 15 minutes from Al Wukayr, 15km from Museum of Islamic Art.
Al Wakrah is in Qatar, with about 26,000 people. The nearest town is Al Wukayr, about 7 km away.
Al Wakrah (Arabic: الوكرة, romanized: al-Wakra) is the capital city of the Al Wakrah Municipality in Qatar. Al Wakrah's eastern edge touches the shores of the Persian Gulf and Qatar's capital Doha is situated immediately north of the city. Governed by Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, it was originally a smallRead more
fishing and pearling village. Over the years, it evolved into a small city with a population of more than 80,000 and is currently one of Qatar's most populous cities.
The city was historically used as a pearling center during the period in which Qatar's economy was almost entirely dependent on the bustling pearling industry. According to the United States Hydrographic Office, by 1920, there were approximately 300 ships situated in the town. A following study carried out by the British in 1925 stated that there were 250 boats in Wakrah's port. Al Wakrah was thought to encompass the so-called 'Pirate Coast', as stated by a report written in 1898. Once the country began large-scale oil operations in the mid-20th century, Al Wakrah became more important due to its proximity to the Mesaieed Industrial Area, Qatar's main industrial manufacturing hub and oil terminal.
It has undergone extensive development and growth since the turn of the 21st century while also being steadily encroached on by rapidly expanding Doha from the north. Notable milestones in the city's modern history include the 2019 inauguration of Al Janoub Stadium, a venue for the Qatar 2022 World Cup, the opening of Souq Al Wakrah in 2014, the Al Wakrah Main Road Project, and the city's integration into the Doha Metro's Red Line in 2019.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Al Wakrah?
Within an hour or so of Al Wakrah: Museum of Islamic Art (15 km).
Where is Al Wakrah?
Al Wakrah is in Al Wakrah, Qatar, about 7 km from Al Wukayr.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 26,436
- Continent
- Asia
- Country
- Qatar
- Region
- Al Wakrah
- Timezone
- Asia/Qatar
- Coordinates
- 25.1715, 51.6034
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1 notable place within an hour's drive.
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