List of Qatar Baladiya and Capitals

Written and Fact-checked by Whereig Editors | Last Updated On: May 22, 2026

In Qatar, the administrative divisions are called municipalities or baladiya in Arabic. There are eight municipalities in Qatar, each responsible for local governance and services within its jurisdiction. Here are the baladiyas of Qatar:

Qatar is a Middle Eastern country located on the northeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula and bordered by Saudi Arabia and the Persian Gulf. The country is divided into 8 municipalities for administrative governance and regional management. Doha is the national capital and also the largest city in Qatar.

The country includes desert plains, coastal areas, salt flats, urban centers, and Gulf shorelines spread across a small peninsula in Western Asia. Different municipalities are known for energy production, finance, trade, ports, tourism, and urban development.

Key Facts

National capital: Doha
Total population: 3,100,000 (Official estimate 2025)
Total area: 11,586 km² (4,473 sq miles)
Currency: Qatari Riyal (QAR)
Bordering country: Saudi Arabia
Total Municipalities: 8
Total Cities and Towns: 30+

List of Municipalities and Administrative Centers of Qatar

Total municipalities shown: 8 | Combined population: 3,100,000 | Combined area: 11,586 km²

#	Municipality Name	Administrative Center	Geographic Region	Area (km²)	Population (Latest Census)
1	Ad Dawhah (Doha)	Doha	Capital Region	202	1,300,000
2	Al Daayen	Lusail	Northeastern Coast	290	400,000
3	Al Khor	Al Khor	Northern Coast	1,613	320,000
4	Al Rayyan	Ar Rayyan	Western Metropolitan Area	2,450	850,000
5	Al Shamal	Madinat ash Shamal	Northern Peninsula	902	95,000
6	Al Wakrah	Al Wakrah	Southeastern Coast	2,577	360,000
7	Umm Salal	Umm Salal Mohammed	Central Qatar	318	170,000
8	Al Sheehaniya	Al Sheehaniya	Western Desert	3,234	65,000

Largest Municipalities by Area

Al Sheehaniya - 1,249 sq mi (3,234 km²)
Al Wakrah - 995 sq mi (2,577 km²)
Al Rayyan - 946 sq mi (2,450 km²)
Al Khor - 623 sq mi (1,613 km²)
Al Shamal - 348 sq mi (902 km²)
Umm Salal - 123 sq mi (318 km²)
Al Daayen - 112 sq mi (290 km²)
Ad Dawhah (Doha) - 78 sq mi (202 km²)

Most Populous Municipalities

Ad Dawhah (Doha) - Population: 1,300,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
Al Rayyan - Population: 850,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
Al Daayen - Population: 400,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
Al Wakrah - Population: 360,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
Al Khor - Population: 320,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
Umm Salal - Population: 170,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
Al Shamal - Population: 95,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
Al Sheehaniya - Population: 65,000 (Official Estimate 2025)

Smallest Municipalities by Area

Ad Dawhah (Doha) - 78 sq mi (202 km²)
Al Daayen - 112 sq mi (290 km²)
Umm Salal - 123 sq mi (318 km²)
Al Shamal - 348 sq mi (902 km²)
Al Khor - 623 sq mi (1,613 km²)
Al Rayyan - 946 sq mi (2,450 km²)

Municipalities by Geographic Grouping

Capital Region: Ad Dawhah (Doha)
Central Qatar: Umm Salal
Northeastern Coast: Al Daayen
Northern Coast: Al Khor
Northern Peninsula: Al Shamal
Southeastern Coast: Al Wakrah
Western Desert: Al Sheehaniya
Western Metropolitan Area: Al Rayyan

Landlocked Municipalities

Al Sheehaniya
Umm Salal

Municipalities with Coastline

Ad Dawhah (Doha)
Al Daayen
Al Khor
Al Rayyan
Al Shamal
Al Wakrah

Municipalities Sharing Borders with Saudi Arabia

Al Rayyan
Al Wakrah
Al Sheehaniya

Major Economic Activities by Municipality

Municipality	Main Economic Activity	Known For
Ad Dawhah (Doha)	Finance and government	National capital and skyline
Al Rayyan	Urban development and education	Universities and residential districts
Al Wakrah	Industry and ports	Coastal expansion and logistics
Al Khor	Energy and fisheries	Natural gas industry
Al Daayen	Real estate and tourism	Lusail development projects
Al Shamal	Fishing and tourism	Northern coastal towns

Sources

World Countries and Capitals

Location Map of Asian Countries