Al Markhiya

Al Markhiya (Arabic: المرخية, romanized: Al Markhīyah) is a neighborhood of the Qatari capital Doha. It is one of the later-developed areas of northern Doha. The district hosts three awsaq al-furjan complexes, which are part of a public development project to host all commercial establishments in centralized areas.^[1]

Al Markhiya المرخية
District
Doha Compound off Markhiya Street
Al Markhiya Show map of Doha Al Markhiya Show map of Qatar
Coordinates: 25°19′21″N 51°30′28″E
Country	Qatar
Municipality	Ad-Dawhah
Zone	Zone 33
District no.	31
Area
• Total	2.7 km2 (1.0 sq mi)
Population
• Total	5,197
• Density	1,900/km2 (5,000/sq mi)

Al Hazm Mall in Al Markhiya

Etymology

The district received its name from a tree that grows abundantly in the area known locally as "markh" (Leptadenia pyrotechnica).^[2]

History

In J.G. Lorimer's 1908 geography section of the Gazetteer of the Persian Gulf, Al Markhiya was described as a camping ground with a masonry well and a garden. The garden, which was established by former emir Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani, was enclosed by a wall and was used for date palm cultivation.^[3] Lorimer noted that it appeared to be one of the only seven sizable date palm plantations in Qatar.^[4]

Geography

Al Markhiya borders the following districts:^[2]

• Lejbailat to the east, separated by Abdul Aziz Bin Jassim Street.
• Hazm Al Markhiya to the north, separated by Al Markhiya Street.
• Dahl Al Hamam to the west, separated by Bu Shaddad Street.
• Fereej Kulaib to the south, separated by Khalifa Street.

Landmarks

Al Hazm Mall

Partially opened in May 2017 by Al Emady Enterprise, Al Hazm Mall is a luxurious shopping complex bearing Italian-style architecture. At a cost of QR 3 billion, the marble was imported from Italy, the stone from Palestine, and its architects were flown in from Rajasthan, India. It is accessible through Al Markhiya Street.^[5]

Al Markhiya Sports Club

Al Markhiya Sports Club's headquarters and stadium are located off of Al Markhiya Street.^[6]

Transport

Major roads that run through the district are Abdul Aziz Bin Jassim Street, Al Markhiya Street and Khalifa Street.^[7]

Demographics

As of the 2010 census, the district comprised 1009 housing units^[8] and 200 establishments.^[9] There were 5,197 people living in the district, of which 56% were male and 44% were female. Out of the 5,179 inhabitants, 69% were 20 years of age or older and 31% were under the age of 20. The literacy rate stood at 97.2%.^[10]

Employed persons made up 53% of the total population. Females accounted for 30% of the working population, while males accounted for 70% of the working population.^[10]

Al Markhiya Intersection

Year	Population
1986[11]	1,419
1997[12]	2,179
2004[13]	2,952
2010[14]	5,197