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According to the full census carried out in the country in 1997, the total population of Qatar is 600,000, with almost 80% of those being expatriates from other Arab countries and around the world.The local population has strong ties with other Arab states in the gulf, and a number of nationals from other gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) states are living and working in the country. Around 60% of the Qatars population lives in Doha, which is the seat of government and the location of the main commercial and financial institutions.
Other main residential areas are: Al Khor, a thriving town just under 60 km north of Doha, which used to be a fishing village. It still has a picturesque harbour, with fishing dhows. It also has fine beaches, mosques and an old market place as well as a beautiful corniche running around the bay, and a regional museum. the nearby area of Al-Dhakhira is being developed as a residential area serving Ras Laffan. Al- Wakra, an old fishing village about 15 km south of Doha is growing rapidly, and expanding as a residential area serving the capital. It has a newly developed jetty and harbour, as well as sand beaches with permanent palm-thatched shades, as well as the ruins of a number of houses. Masaieed, further to the south, has a residential area, and there are also extencive sandy beaches as well as a new hotel right on the shoreline, with landscaped gardens. Extencive coral reefs off the coast are home to a myriad of marine life, and make it an attractive spot for scuba diving. Most of the residents of the town have family members working in the industrial area. Dukhan, on the west coast and approximately 84 km from doha is the center of onshore oil-production, and again most of the residents work in the industry. Amongst Qatar's most important ilands are the hawar islands, which lie close to the coast, between Dukhan and Zubarah. Al-Zubarah in the northwest of Qatar, is one of the most significant archaeological sites in the country, and excavation work is continuing, it has been the site of successive settlements, and was an important town for both pearl fishing and trading. The old fort has been transformrd into a regional museum. Medinat Shamal is a newly devloped town at the northen tip of the peninsula, and functions as an administrative center for a small number of villages in the area.
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