Al Rayyan
{{short description|Municipality in Qatar}}
{{about|the municipality|the city in the east of the municipality|Al Rayyan (city)|the name|Rayan|other uses|Al Rayyan (disambiguation)}}
{{Infobox settlement
|name=Al Rayyan
|native_name=الريان
|native_name_lang=ar
|type=Municipality
|image_skyline= Aerial view of Aspetar Hospital in Baaya.jpg
|image_alt=
|image_caption=
|image_flag=
|flag_alt=
|image_seal=
|seal_alt=
|image_map=Al Rayyan in Qatar 2015.svg
|mapsize=230px
|map_alt=
|map_caption=Map of Qatar with Al Rayyan highlighted
(from 2015 without Al-Shahaniya)
|coordinates = {{coord|25.32|51.37|region:QA-RA_type:city|display=inline,title}}
|coor_pinpoint=Al Rayyan
|coordinates_footnotes=
|subdivision_type=Country
|subdivision_name={{flag|Qatar}}
|established_title=
|established_date=
|founder=
|seat_type=Capital
|seat=Al Rayyan City
|parts_type = Zones
|parts_style = para
|p1 = 10
|government_footnotes=
|leader_party=
|leader_title=Mayor
|leader_name=
|unit_pref=Metric
|area_footnotes=
|area_total_km2=2450
|area_note=
|population_total=605712
|population_as_of=2015
|population_density_km2=auto
|population_note=entire municipality
|timezone1=AST
|utc_offset1=+3
|iso_code=QA-RA
|website=[http://www.baladiya.gov.qa/cui/index.dox?id=607&siteID=2 Al Rayyan]
|footnotes=
}}
Al Rayyan ({{Langx|ar|الريان}}; also spelled Ar Rayyan) is the third-largest municipality in Qatar. Its primary settlement is the city of the same name, which occupies the entire eastern section and is a part of the Doha Metropolitan Area. The vast expanse of mostly undeveloped lands in the south-west also falls under the municipality's administration.
Etymology
File:Spring of Qulmat Al Maszhabiya in southern Qatar.jpg of Qulmat Al Maszhabiya in Al Mashabiya Reserve, next to Abu Samra.]]
Similar to many other names given to Qatari settlements and municipalities, Al Rayyan Municipality was named after a geographic feature present in its namesake, the city of Al Rayyan. The city derives its name from the Arabic term "ray", which translates to "irrigation". This name was bestowed upon it due to its low elevation, allowing it to act as a flood plain and provide a sustained supply of water to the numerous plants that grew within its boundaries.{{cite web|url=http://geoportal.gisqatar.org.qa/qmape/index.html|title=District map|publisher=The Centre for Geographic Information Systems of Qatar|access-date=22 May 2018|archive-date=24 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124143437/https://geoportal.gisqatar.org.qa/qmape/index.html|url-status=dead}}
History
In March 1893, the Battle of Al Wajbah was fought between the Qataris and Ottomans at the recently built Al Wajbah Fort, located {{Convert|10|mi|km|abbr=on|order=flip}} west of Old Doha. Although Qatar did not gain full independence from the Ottoman Empire, Qataris see the outcome of the battle as a defining moment in the establishment of Qatar as a modern state.{{cite book|title=The Report: Qatar 2014|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BhppCQAAQBAJ&pg=PA15|publisher=Oxford Business Group|page=15|year=2014|isbn=978-1910068007}}
Al Rayyan Municipality was created as an independent municipal administration by the Ministry of Municipality and Urban Planning in 1972.
In 2004, Al Jemailiya Municipality was merged with Al Rayyan, and Jariyan Al Batnah Municipality was split between Al Rayyan and Al Wakrah Municipality. Doha Industrial Area, also known as Zone 58, was split off from Al Rayyan and integrated into Doha Municipality, becoming an exclave of Doha.{{cite web|url=http://www.statoids.com/uqa.html|title=Municipalities of Qatar|publisher=Statoids|access-date=8 August 2017}}
In 2014, the western city of Al-Shahaniya was dissociated from Al Rayyan Municipality to form its own municipality. Integrating approximately 35% of Al Rayyan's area into the new municipality, some of Al Rayyan's western localities such as Al Gharbiam, Al Utouriya, Al Jemailiya, Umm Bab, Rawdat Rashed, Al Nasraniya, Dukhan and Al Khurayb were also included in the new municipality.{{cite web|url=http://alarab.qa/story/278395/%D8%A8%D9%84%D8%AF%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B4%D8%AD%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%AA%D8%B6%D9%85-35-%D9%85%D9%86-%D9%85%D8%B3%D8%A7%D8%AD%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%8A%D8%A9|title=بلدية الشحانية تضم %35 من مساحة الريان الحالية|author=Hisham Yassin|publisher=Al Arab|language=ar|date=16 January 2014|access-date=7 August 2017}}
Geography
File:Nakhsh mountain in Qatar.jpg in southern Qatar.]]
Al Rayyan is bordered by four municipalities: Umm Salal to the northeast, Al-Shahaniya to the west, Doha to the east and Al Wakrah to the southeast. It is divided into two main sections; the west consisting of scattered rural settlements, farms and open desert, and the east comprising the city of Al Rayyan, an urban offshoot of Metropolitan Doha's westward growth.{{cite web|url=http://www.mme.gov.qa/QatarMasterPlan/Downloads-qnmp/MunicipalityStrategy/English/Al%20Raayan%20Dec%202017.pdf|title=Al Rayyan and Al Shahhaniya Municipality: Vision and Development Strategy|publisher=Ministry of Municipality and Environment|page=4|date=December 2017|access-date=22 May 2018}}
According to the Ministry of Municipality and Environment (MME), the municipality has 223 depressions, 38 wadis, 24 streams, six plains, six sabkhas, six capes, and six bays. No islands exist off its coasts. The MME recorded 50 hills, including Jebel Nakhsh, which stands 90 meters tall.{{cite web|url=https://www.marhaba.qa/a-walk-through-time/|title=A Walk Through Time|publisher=Marhaba|author=Frances Gillespie|date=14 March 2016|access-date=13 February 2019}} Furthermore, there is one highland in the municipality, called Alaa Jaow Al Mathlouth Al Janoubi which consists of elevated surface south of an elongated depression and its namesake, Jaow Al Mathlouth.{{cite web|url=http://www.arcgis.com/home/webmap/viewer.html?url=https%3A%2F%2Fservices.gisqatar.org.qa%2Fserver%2Frest%2Fservices%2FVector%2FGeonamesE%2FMapServer&source=sd|title=Geonames Sortable Table|website=arcgis.com|publisher=Geographic Information Systems Department (Qatar)|access-date=13 February 2019}}
Al Gharrafa, which is a district of Al Rayyan City and also a part of metropolitan Doha, is being developed as a large-scale commercial hub for residents of northwest Doha, northern Al Rayyan and southern Umm Salal. The district is already a well-established retail center, hosting many major malls and supermarkets. Some residential developments are also planned for the district.{{cite web|url=http://www.mme.gov.qa/QatarMasterPlan/Downloads-qnmp/MunicipalityStrategy/English/Al%20Raayan%20Dec%202017.pdf|title=Al Rayyan and Al Shahhaniya Municipality: Vision and Development Strategy|publisher=Ministry of Municipality and Environment|page=16|date=December 2017|access-date=23 May 2018}}
Administration
File:Camel being lifted at Abu Hamour Wholesale Market.jpg Wholesale Market.]]
File:Aspire Park, Doha - panoramio (1).jpg in Baaya.]]
File:View from Education City Mosque Qatar.jpg Mosque.]]
File:Barwa City, Abu Hamour - panoramio (7).jpg.]]
File:Rocks on a beach in Abu Samra.jpg
File:Old mosque in Abu Nakhla.jpg
The municipality is divided into 10 zones which are then divided into 1410 blocks.{{cite web|url=https://mdpsqatar.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?appid=5d1967420c044af8962e359057636496|title=Administrative boundary map|publisher=Ministry of Development Planning and Statistics|access-date=9 July 2018}}
=Administrative zones=
Al Rayyan Municipality has the following administrative zones as of 2015:{{cite web|url=http://www.mdps.gov.qa/en/knowledge/Publications/Population/Population2015.pdf|title=2015 Population census|publisher=Ministry of Development Planning and Statistics|date=April 2015|access-date=8 August 2017|archive-date=17 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160717042254/http://www.mdps.gov.qa/en/knowledge/Publications/Population/Population2015.pdf|url-status=dead}}
class="wikitable" | |||
Zone no. | Census districts | Area | Population (2015) |
---|---|---|---|
51 | Al Gharrafa Gharrafat Al Rayyan Izghawa Bani Hajer Al Seej Rawdat Egdaim Al Themaid | {{Convert|80.9|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}} | 56,027 |
52 | Al Luqta Lebday Old Al Rayyan Al Shagub Fereej Al Zaeem | {{Convert|13.4|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}} | 18,433 |
53 | New Al Rayyan Al Wajbah Muaither | {{Convert|110.9|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}} | 77,875 |
54 | Fereej Al Amir Luaib Muraikh Baaya Mehairja Fereej Al Soudan | {{Convert|18.1|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}} | 24,593 |
55 | Fereej Al Soudan Al Waab Al Aziziya New Fereej Al Ghanim Fereej Al Murra Fereej Al Manaseer Bu Sidra Muaither Al Sailiya Al Mearad | {{Convert|82.4|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}} | 283,675 |
56 | Fereej Al Asiri New Fereej Al Khulaifat Bu Samra Al Mamoura Abu Hamour Mesaimeer Ain Khaled | {{Convert|61.1|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}} | 128,928 |
81 | Mebaireek | {{Convert|160.5|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}} | 12,483 |
83 | Al Karaana | {{Convert|554.3|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}} | 2,614 |
96 | Abu Samra | {{Convert|801.7|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}} | 984 |
97 | Sawda Natheel | {{Convert|566.7|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}} | 100 |
colspan="2"|Municipality | {{Convert|2,450|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}} | 605,712 |
=Districts=
{{div col|colwidth=33em}}
- Al Aamriya ({{langx|ar|العامرية}})
- Al Hemaila ({{langx|ar|الحميلة}})
- Al Khaldiya ({{langx|ar|الخالدية}})
- Al Mukaynis ({{langx|ar|مكينس}})
- Al Rekayya ({{langx|ar|الركية}})
- Baida Al Gaa ({{langx|ar|بيضا القاع}})
- Eglat Faisal ({{langx|ar|عقلة فيصل}})
- Jaww Basheer ({{langx|ar|جو بشير}})
- Jariyan Al Batnah ({{langx|ar|جريان البطنة}})
- Lusail West ({{langx|ar|لوسيل الغربية}})
- Rawdat Al Jahhaniya ({{langx|ar|روضة الجهانية}})
- Ummahat Owaina ({{langx|ar|امهات عوينة}})
- Umm Al Afaei ({{langx|ar|ام الافاعي}})
- Umm Al Suwab ({{langx|ar|ام الصوب}})
- Umm Hawta ({{langx|ar|ام حوطة}})
{{div col end}}
Economy
File:Irkhaya Farms center-pivot irrigation.jpg at Irkhaya Farms.]]
Due to Al Rayyan's lack of a coastline in its population centers in the eastern section, fishing and pearling did not play a part in building its economy; this is in sharp contrast to Qatar's other urban centers which were largely dependent on maritime activities. Instead, nomadic herding of livestock and small-scale crop cultivation comprised the livelihoods of its past inhabitants.
According to government statistics recorded when Al-Shahaniya was still integrated into Al Rayyan, the municipality accounted for the majority of Qatar's farming activities. In 2015, 36% of Qatar's total farmland was based in Al Rayyan, putting it just ahead of Al Khor with 35% of the country's farmland. There were 499 farms occupying 17,136 hectares, 256 of which were involved in cultivating crops, 234 of which were mixed operations, 8 of which raised livestock, and 1 categorized as "other".{{cite web|url=https://www.mdps.gov.qa/en/statistics/Statistical%20Releases/Environmental/EnvironmentalStatistics/Environment_QSA_EN_2015.pdf|title=Environmental statistics in State of Qatar|publisher=Ministry of Development Planning and Statistics|page=30|year=2015|access-date=20 July 2018}} The municipality had a livestock inventory of 108,508, including 52,582 sheep and 27,380 goats. Livestock numbers were surpassed only by Al Khor.{{cite web|url=https://www.mdps.gov.qa/en/statistics/Statistical%20Releases/Environmental/EnvironmentalStatistics/Environment_QSA_EN_2015.pdf|title=Environmental statistics in State of Qatar|publisher=Ministry of Development Planning and Statistics|page=38|year=2015|access-date=20 July 2018}}
Until 2017, Muaither Yard was the only farmers' market in the municipality.{{cite web|url=http://www.dohafamily.com/Autumn-2017/Locally-Grown-Farming-in-Qatar/|title=Locally Grown: Farming in Qatar|publisher=Doha Family|author=Kim Wyatt|year=2017|access-date=20 July 2018}} Qatar Foundation established Torba Farmers' Market in Education City in November 2017. Only organically grown produce is sold at this market.{{cite web|url=https://www.qf.org.qa/news/visitors-flock-to-qfs-torba-farmers-market|title=Visitors Flock to QF's Torba Farmers Market|publisher=Qatar Foundation|date=27 January 2018|access-date=20 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180721073408/https://www.qf.org.qa/news/visitors-flock-to-qfs-torba-farmers-market|archive-date=21 July 2018|url-status=dead}}
Education
According to the 2015 census conducted by the Ministry of Municipality and Environment, there were a total of 199 schools located in Al Rayyan at that time.{{cite web|url=http://www.mdps.gov.qa/en/knowledge/Publications/Other/Census%202015.pdf|title=The Simplified Census of Population, Housing & Establishments 2015|publisher=Ministry of Municipality and Environment|pages=65–66|date=April 2015|access-date=8 August 2017|archive-date=9 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170809042125/http://www.mdps.gov.qa/en/knowledge/Publications/Other/Census%202015.pdf|url-status=dead}} State schools were recorded as amounting to 108 in the 2016 education census – 50 were exclusively for girls and 58 were for boys. A slightly higher number of students were male, at 23,558 compared to 23,455 female students.{{cite web|url=https://www.mdps.gov.qa/en/statistics/Statistical%20Releases/Social/Education/2016/Education_Chapter_4_2016_AE.pdf|title=Chapter IV: Education Statistics|publisher=Ministry of Development Planning and Statistics|year=2016|access-date=19 July 2018|archive-date=11 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180711054945/https://www.mdps.gov.qa/en/statistics/Statistical%20Releases/Social/Education/2016/Education_Chapter_4_2016_AE.pdf|url-status=dead}}
File:carnegiemellonqatar_building_entrance.jpg in Education City.]]
Several schools have transferred to Al Rayyan from Doha as a result of lower operating costs and closer proximity to students.{{cite web|url=http://www.mme.gov.qa/QatarMasterPlan/Downloads-qnmp/MunicipalityStrategy/English/Al%20Raayan%20Dec%202017.pdf|title=Al Rayyan and Al Shahhaniya Municipality: Vision and Development Strategy|publisher=Ministry of Municipality and Environment|page=23|date=December 2017|access-date=23 May 2018}}
Various universities main campuses in Education City, a city-scale project by Qatar Foundation which is spread across the Al Gharrafa, Gharrafat Al Rayyan and Al Shagub districts of Al Rayyan City. Among the universities are:{{cite web|url=http://www.edu.gov.qa/Ar/structure/HigherEducation/HigherEducationInstitute/Offices/Documents/5-Education_City_Universities.pdf|title=Education City Universities|publisher=Ministry of Education and Higher Education (Qatar)|access-date=19 July 2018}}
Healthcare
Healthcare standards in the municipality have been boosted by Sidra Medical and Research Center, which is in the Al Gharrafa district of Al Rayyan. Its initial inpatient hospital was formally opened in January 2018 with 400 beds.{{cite web|url=http://www.gulf-times.com/story/595085/Qatar-makes-huge-strides-in-healthcare-sector-sinc|title=Qatar makes huge strides in healthcare sector since blockade|publisher=Gulf Times|author=Joseph Varghese|date=4 June 2018|access-date=18 July 2018}} At peak operational capacity, it will serve more than 275,000 patients per year.{{cite web|url=http://www.gulf-times.com/story/567855/Sidra-Medicine-to-treat-over-275-000-outpatient-ca|title=Sidra Medicine to treat over 275,000 outpatient cases annually|publisher=Gulf Times|author=Joseph Varghese|date=18 October 2017|access-date=17 July 2018}} Biomedical research is also conducted at Sidra, with its research facilities becoming operational in 2015.{{cite web|url=https://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/15/01/2018/Sidra-Medicine-opens-hospital-building|title=Sidra Medicine opens hospital building|publisher=The Peninsula|author=Fazeena Saleem|date=15 January 2018|access-date=18 July 2018}}
Aspetar, a specialised orthopaedic and sports medicine hospital, is found in the Aspire Zone in the Baaya district. Commencing operations in 2007,{{cite web|url=https://www.hziegler.com/employers/qatar-orthopaedic-sports-medicine-hospital.html|title=Qatar Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine Hospital (ASPETAR)|publisher=Helen Ziegler & Associates|access-date=19 July 2018}} it was the first-ever sports medicine hospital in the Middle East region. It earned accreditation as a FIFA Medical Centre of Excellence in 2009.{{cite web|url=https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1031187/ipcs-medical-and-scientific-director-visits-aspetar-hospital-during-world-championships-in-doha|title=IPC's medical and scientific director visits Aspetar hospital during World Championships in Doha|author=Daniel Etchells|website=insidethegames.biz|date=25 October 2015|access-date=19 July 2018}}
Overall, there were twenty-six health care facilities recorded by the 2015 government census. Sixty-four pharmacies were recorded in the municipality in 2013 by Qatar's Supreme Council of Health.{{cite web|url=https://www.moph.gov.qa/ar/health-strategies/Documents/QHFMP%20-%20Report.pdf|title=Qatar Healthcare Facilities: Master Plan 2013-2033|publisher=Supreme Council of Health (Qatar)|page=107|date=September 2014|access-date=9 July 2018}}
Transportation
=Public transport=
File:Linea verde metropolitana di Doha.png's Green Line, also known as Education Line.]]
Public transport in the municipality is generally poor and not used by most of its residents due to a lack of facilities at the central station and inconsistent headway.{{cite web|url=http://www.mme.gov.qa/QatarMasterPlan/Downloads-qnmp/MunicipalityStrategy/English/Al%20Raayan%20Dec%202017.pdf|title=Al Rayyan and Al Shahhaniya Municipality: Vision and Development Strategy|publisher=Ministry of Municipality and Environment|page=34|date=December 2017|access-date=23 May 2018}}
=Metro=
Doha Metro's Green Line, also called the Education Line, passes through Al Rayyan. There are metro stations in Al Shagub, Education City and Qatar National Library, and Old Al Rayyan.{{cite web|url=https://www.qr.com.qa/English/Projects/Pages/GreenLine.aspx|title=Green Line|publisher=Qatar Rail|access-date=19 July 2018}} The line was opened to the public on 10 December 2019.{{cite web|url=https://www.gulf-times.com/story/650142/Doha-Metro-launches-Green-Line-adds-four-Red-Line-|title=Doha Metro launches Green Line, adds four Red Line stations|publisher=The Gulf Times|author=Joey Aguilar|date=10 December 2019|access-date=10 December 2019}}
=Roads=
==Salwa Road==
Salwa Road runs from Doha proper to Abu Samra on the Qatar-Saudi border for roughly 95 km.{{cite web|url=http://www.sice.com/en/news/salam-sice-tech-solutions-awarded-contract-advanced-traffic-management-systems-atms-salwa-and|title=Adjudicación a SALAM SICE Tech Solutions el contrato de Sistemas Avanzados de Gestión del Tráfico (ATMS) para las autopistas Salwa y Dukhan en Qatar|publisher=Salam SICE Tech Solutions|date=30 April 2014|access-date=16 January 2019}} For the most part, the road passes solely through Al Rayyan Municipality, but there is a stretch of highway that serves as the dividing line between Al Rayyan Municipality and Al-Shahaniya Municipality. It is an important commercial artery in the municipality's eastern extremity, hosting car showrooms, superstores and outlet stores.{{cite web|url=http://www.mme.gov.qa/QatarMasterPlan/Downloads-qnmp/MunicipalityStrategy/English/Al%20Raayan%20Dec%202017.pdf|title=Al Rayyan and Al Shahhaniya Municipality: Vision and Development Strategy|publisher=Ministry of Municipality and Environment|page=19|date=December 2017|access-date=16 January 2019}} Moreover, many rural areas to the south-west of Metropolitan Doha are connected to the highway network through Salwa Road. It runs through the following districts in Al Rayyan, sorted from east to west and north to south:
{{div col|colwidth=33em}}
- Fereej Al Soudan
- Al Mamoura
- Al Waab
- Abu Hamour
- Ain Khaled
- Al Aziziya
- New Fereej Al Ghanim
- Fereej Al Murra
- Bu Sidra
- Industrial Area
- Al Sailiya
- Mebaireek
- Abu Nakhla
- Al Khaldiya
- Ummahat Owaina
- Al Mukaynis
- Markhiyat Al Darb
- Umm Al Suwab
- Al Karaana
- Lusail West
- Dohat Salwa
- Abu Samra
{{div col end}}
==Dukhan Highway==
Westward travel towards Dukhan and Al-Shahaniya is facilitated by the roughly 66 km-long Dukhan Highway. The road spans from Bani Hajer in the east to Dukhan in the west. It runs through the following districts in Al Rayyan, sorted from east to west and north to south:
- Bani Hajer
- Al Wajbah
- Al Seej
- Rawdat Al Jahhaniya
- Umm Al Afaei
- Umm Leghab
==Orbital Highway==
The Orbital Highway is Qatar's longest road at 195 km.{{cite web|url=http://constructingexcellence.qa/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2018/09/Expressway-Programme-Project-Booklet.pdf|publisher=KBR|title=Expressway Programme Project Booklet|page=33|access-date=17 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190119121221/http://constructingexcellence.qa/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2018/09/Expressway-Programme-Project-Booklet.pdf|archive-date=19 January 2019|url-status=dead}} Created to bypass the traffic congestion in Doha, the highway begins in Mesaieed and ends in the north at Ras Laffan. The most important highway junctions for Al Rayyan is the Orbital Highway/Salwa Road junction and Orbital Highway/Dukhan Highway junction.{{cite web|url=http://www.ashghal.gov.qa/en/MediaHub/News/Pages/Orbital-Road-a-Key-Artery-to-link-Northern-Central-and-Southern-Qatar.aspx#.XEAJxFxKiyI|title=Orbital Road a Key Artery to link Northern, Central and Southern Qatar|publisher=Ashghal|date=14 February 2018|access-date=17 January 2019}}
Infrastructure
=Government infrastructure=
On 9 December 2015, the Ministry of Municipality and Environment inaugurated a government services complex in Al Rayyan City.{{cite web|url=http://archive.qatar-tribune.com/viewnews.aspx?n=DBE832E2-11E8-4788-BC4D-FC650CA92359&d=20151210|title=Minister opens services complex in Al Rayyan|publisher=Qatar Tribune|date=10 December 2015|access-date=20 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180720135621/http://archive.qatar-tribune.com/viewnews.aspx?n=DBE832E2-11E8-4788-BC4D-FC650CA92359&d=20151210|archive-date=20 July 2018|url-status=dead}} Four days later, the Ministry of Economy and Commerce established a branch at the services complex.{{cite web|url=http://www.gulf-times.com/story/466362/MEC-opens-office-at-Al-Rayyan-complex|title=MEC opens office at Al Rayyan complex|publisher=Gulf Times|date=13 December 2015|access-date=20 July 2018}} Later in May 2016 another government services complex was created in Mesaimeer. Almost all government ministries are represented at the complex.{{cite web|url=http://www.qatar-tribune.com/news-details/id/4502|title=Minister opens new centre in Mesaimeer for govt services|publisher=Qatar Tribune|date=30 May 2016|access-date=20 July 2018}}
In the south-west, Abu Samra accommodates Qatar's sole border crossing with Saudi Arabia.{{cite web|url=http://www.thenational.ae/world/qatar/qatars-single-border-crossing-exposes-its-vulnerability|title=Qatar's single border crossing exposes its vulnerability|publisher=The National|author=Hugh Naylor|date=18 April 2014|access-date=20 July 2018}} The Ministry of Interior maintains an Immigration Department office and Customs Department office near the border crossing. On 5 June 2017, when a quartet composed of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt severed ties with Qatar, the border crossing was shut down.{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-gulf-qatar-border-saudi/qatar-saudi-land-border-deserted-after-frontier-shut-idUSKBN1931PO|title=Qatar-Saudi land border deserted after frontier shut|author1=Tom Finn |author2=Ibrahim Saber|publisher=Reuters|date=12 June 2017|access-date=7 July 2018}}
=Worker accommodation=
Municipal estimates put the number of residential units for workers at 173,550 for 2017.{{cite web|url=http://www.mme.gov.qa/QatarMasterPlan/Downloads-qnmp/MunicipalityStrategy/English/Al%20Raayan%20Dec%202017.pdf|title=Al Rayyan and Al Shahhaniya Municipality: Vision and Development Strategy|publisher=Ministry of Municipality and Environment|page=22|date=December 2017|access-date=23 May 2018}} A massive labor camp in the Umm Al Afaei district with a capacity for 21,000 workers was announced in 2013. The project was reported to cost QAR 122 million.{{cite web|url=http://www.al-sharq.com/news/details/175907|title=بروة تستعد لبناء "مدينة العمال" الثانية بكلفة 4 مليارات ريال|publisher=Al Sharq|language=ar|date=23 October 2013|access-date=8 August 2017}}
Landmarks and historic sites
File:Trees in Aspire Park.jpg.]]
There are a number of historic forts in the municipality, most of which are located within Al Rayyan City. One such fort is Al Wajbah Fort, which was the setting of a battle between the Ottomans and Qataris in the Battle of Al Wajbah in 1892.{{cite web|url=http://www.mme.gov.qa/cui/view.dox?id=607&siteID=2|title=Al Rayyan Municipality|publisher=Ministry of Municipality and Environment|access-date=8 August 2017|archive-date=8 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170808153031/http://www.mme.gov.qa/cui/view.dox?id=607&siteID=2|url-status=dead}}
Education City, which houses most of Qatar's universities, is spread throughout the Al Gharrafa, Gharrafat Al Rayyan and Al Shagub districts of Al Rayyan City, as is several of Qatar Foundation's institutes such as the Qatar Science & Technology Park and Qatar National Convention Centre.{{cite web|url=http://www.mme.gov.qa/QatarMasterPlan/Downloads-qnmp/MunicipalityStrategy/English/Al%20Raayan%20Dec%202017.pdf|title=Al Rayyan and Al Shahhaniya Municipality: Vision and Development Strategy|publisher=Ministry of Municipality and Environment|page=15|date=December 2017|access-date=23 May 2018}}
Several multi-sports clubs are based in the municipality: Al Rayyan SC, Al-Gharafa SC, Muaither SC, Mesaimeer SC and Al Sailiya SC. All of these fall within the boundaries of Al Rayyan City.
Al Rayyan hosts a racing and equestrian club. Aspire Tower and Aspire Park are also nestled in the municipality, specifically on Al Waab Street in Baaya, a district of Al Rayyan City. A large-scale Venetian style mall known as Villaggio Mall is also located in the Baaya district. Doha Zoo is found nearby to these attractions in Al Aziziya. According to the Ministry of Municipality and Environment, the municipality accommodates 20 parks as of 2018.{{cite web|url=http://www.mme.gov.qa/cui/view.dox?id=1304&siteID=1&contentID=5632|title=تطور غير مسبوق في تصميم وإنشاء الحدائق العامة بالدولة|publisher=Ministry of Municipality and Environment|language=ar|date=26 June 2018|access-date=8 July 2018}}
Demographics
{{Historical populations
|type =
|footnote = c-census; e-estimate
|1986{{cite web|url=http://www.qsa.gov.qa/Eng/publication/annabs/2009/demographics_social_2009/Population-2009.xls|title=Population from 1986–2009|publisher=Qatar Statistics Authority|access-date=28 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924083621/http://www.qsa.gov.qa/Eng/publication/annabs/2009/demographics_social_2009/Population-2009.xls|archive-date=24 September 2015|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}{{cite web|url=http://www.qsa.gov.qa/Eng/publication/annabs/2004/population_04/popu&social.htm|title=Population and social statistics|publisher=Qatar Statistics Authority|year=2004|access-date=28 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924083620/http://www.qsa.gov.qa/Eng/publication/annabs/2004/population_04/popu%26social.htm|archive-date=24 September 2015|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}| 91996
}}
Note: 2010 adjusted figures here, 2015 preliminary figures
Al Rayyan's workforce is relatively diversified compared to the other municipalities. It was reported that in 2010, construction accounted for the largest sector of the workforce at 74,00, with manufacturing coming second at 15,500, followed by transportation and storage (7,900) and education (7,800). Many employed residents work outside the municipality, in Doha.{{cite web|url=http://www.mme.gov.qa/QatarMasterPlan/Downloads-qnmp/MunicipalityStrategy/English/Al%20Raayan%20Dec%202017.pdf|title=Al Rayyan and Al Shahhaniya Municipality: Vision and Development Strategy|publisher=Ministry of Municipality and Environment|page=5|date=December 2017|access-date=22 May 2018}}
The following table is a breakdown of registered live births by nationality and sex for Al Rayyan. Places of birth are based on the home municipality of the mother at birth.{{cite web|url=http://www.mdps.gov.qa/|title=Home page|publisher=Ministry of Development Planning and Statistics|access-date=11 August 2017|archive-date=5 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160505034638/http://www.mdps.gov.qa/|url-status=dead}}
|width="9"|
|valign="top"|
|}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{commons category}}
{{Municipalities of Qatar}}
{{Al Rayyan Municipality}}
{{Authority control}}