Al-Shahaniya

Al Shahaniya is a municipality in Qatar, with its municipal seat as a city of the same name. Formerly in the municipality of Al Rayyan, but now an independent municipality, the municipal seat was delimited in 1988 by Law No. 22.

The municipality is well known for its sunken land-surfaces and vast plains. As such, there are upwards of 40 plains and 487 rawdas (depressions), the most important being Rawdat Rashed. Other geographic features listed by the Ministry of Municipality and Environment include 169 jeris (places where water flows), 71 hills, seven highlands, 13 sabkhas, and 15 capes.Rocky hills and limestone cliffs are found abundantly around the general area of Dukhan.Only one island is found off its shores; that being Janan Island.

Much of the municipality is occupied by Al Reem Biosphere Reserve, and there are numerous small villages dotted along the reserve’s main highway. These villages typically have less than a 100 inhabitants and were built over the few existing water sources in the region, as is often reflected in their names.

Al-Shahaniya City is the largest settlement in the municipality as well as in central Qatar.It is located halfway between Dukhan and the capital Doha, and is situated just off Dukhan Highway. As an urban center, it serves as a central location for surrounding rural settlements, such as Rawdat Rashed and Al Khurayb.The majority of activity associated with camel racing and oryx breeding in Qatar take place within the municipality.