Al Khor

Al Khor (Arabic: الخور; also spelled Al Khawr), officially Al Khor and Al Thakhira, is a municipality in northeastern Qatar. Al Khor, the municipal seat, is located on the northeast coast of Qatar, around 50 kilometres (31 miles) from the capital, Doha and is considered to be one of Qatar's major cities. Al Thakhira is the second most significant settlement in the municipality after Al Khor City. The region was ruled by the Al Muhannadi tribe, which consists of seven Bedouin families, before Qatar gained its independence in 1971. Tourism has been increasing in recent years owing to the municipality's various resorts, natural areas and cultural attractions. Fishing was the historical mainstay of most of the municipality's inhabitants. Al Khor Municipality derives its name from the city of the same name. In Arabic, Al Khawr means "bay"; it was so named because Al Khor City was near a bay. Formerly, the city was known as "Khor Al-Shaqiq". Al Khor Municipality was established in July 1972, alongside Qatar's four other initial municipalities, and supervises the city of Al Khor in addition to other settlements in the municipality.