Qatar National Museum

Qatar National Museum is the second largest museum in Doha, Qatar, and includes many displays relating to the geological history of Qatar as well as a collection of Islamic artifacts and relics. The museum is located in the eastern part of the Doha Corniche and includes a maritime museum as well as a small lagoon, where a traditional dhow moors. The museum also includes displays of Qatari architecture, medals given to Qatar by foreign rulers in the past, medallions of honor from Qatar's army, descriptions of geology and flora and fauna, Bedouin tribesmen, and finally a section on oil and gas. The Museum of Islamic Art, when completed in 2006, overtook the Qatar National Museum as the largest museum in the country. It is presently closed to the public and the exhibits put away in store. A spectacular new extended museum is planned, designed by architect Jean Nouvell and engineers Arup. Construction work is hoped to start in 2010.