Al Mazrouah Explained

Al Mazrouah
Native Name:اَلْمَزْرُوعَة
Native Name Lang: ar
Pushpin Map:Qatar
Pushpin Map Caption:Al Mazrouah Yard
Coordinates:25.4359°N 51.3811°W
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name: Qatar
Subdivision Type1:Municipality
Subdivision Name1:Umm Salal
Subdivision Type2:Zone
Subdivision Name2:Zone 71
Subdivision Type3:District no.
Subdivision Name3:145
Area Footnotes:[1]
Area Total Km2:5.9
Population Density Km2:auto

Al Mazrouah (Arabic: اَلْمَزْرُوعَة|Al Mazrū‘ah) is a village in the municipality of Umm Salal in Qatar. It is located south of the town of Umm Salal Ali and west of Bu Fasseela, another village in the same municipality.

Etymology

The word 'mazrouah' is Arabic for "the cultivated". Being located next to a large rawda (depression), rainwater would gather here, and as a result various shrubs and trees grew here, hence giving the impression that it is cultivated. In the past, inhabitants constructed wells in the village from whence they obtained drinking water and a source of irrigation for their crops. Nearby villages would also obtain water from these wells.[2]

History

J.G. Lorimer mentioned Al Mazrouah in 1908 in his Gazetteer of the Persian Gulf, stating that it lies "14 miles north-west of Dohah and 10 from the east coast". He also noted that "there is a masonry well, 7 fathoms deep, which yields good water. There are trees, but cultivation is wanting, notwithstanding the name".[3]

Infrastructure

Al Mazrouah Yard hosts a farmers' market where consumers can purchase fresh produce. Niche products such as hydroponically grown fruits and vegetables are sold here. It is one of the three farmers' markets in Qatar as of 2014.[4] Next to Al Mazrouah Yard is the Umm Salal Ali Central Fish Market.[5]

The Ministry of Municipality and Environment has announced construction of a massive 270,000 square meter agricultural research complex in the village. One of the focuses of the complex will be developing new methods for hydroponic crop production. Officials provided a completion date of 2021 for phase one of the project.[6]

The Scout and Guide Association of Qatar has a camp set up over a 400,000 square meter area in the district. Located just off Al Shamal Road, it was constructed at a cost of QR 86 million and is one of the largest facilities of its kind in the world.[7]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: District Area Map. Ministry of Development Planning and Statistics. 12 March 2019.
  2. Web site: District map. The Centre for Geographic Information Systems of Qatar. 20 May 2018. 24 November 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201124143437/https://geoportal.gisqatar.org.qa/qmape/index.html. dead.
  3. Web site: 'Gazetteer of the Persian Gulf. Vol. II. Geographical and Statistical. J G Lorimer. 1908' [1524] (1639/2084)]. Qatar Digital Library. 6 July 2018. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  4. Web site: PHOTOS: Farmers’ markets open around Qatar. Chantelle D'Mello. Doha News. 24 December 2014. 6 July 2018.
  5. Web site: Central fish market to be shifted to Umm Salal Ali on April 9. Qatar Tribune. Santhosh Chandran. 7 April 2017. 6 July 2018.
  6. Web site: Research complex to boost farm sector. The Peninsula. Sanaullah Ataullah. 1 April 2018. 6 July 2018.
  7. Web site: Qatar Scouts & Guides Association Camp in Al Mazroua. Ashghal. 1 January 2019.