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Zubara fort is one of many tourist attractions outside the capital, Doha.

Opening its doors to tourism in 1989, today Qatar is growing as major Mideast destination.

Home to historic forts and modern luxury hotels, spectacular seascapes and sandunes, Qater is also home to the headquarters of Al Jazeera, the Arab world's answer to CNN.

The bad news is that the capital city of Doha has earned its reputation as one of the most sedate (and that's putting it mildly) places in the Mideast if not on the planet. The good news? Much more exicting attractions await just outside the city.

Take a boat ride around the bay, or take the 10-minute shuttle to nearby Palm Tree Island offering a popular beach, swimming pools and a selection of restaurants.

If you have a gaggle of kids in tow, a five-minute drive from Doha lies family-friendly Aladdin's Kingdom, the only amusement park within the entire Persian Gulf.

Less than an hour's drive outside the city, also be sure to visit the historic 19th century forts in the Umm Sala Mohammad area as well as Qater's No. 1 must-see, the Khor Al Adaid Desert featuring unforgettable skyscraper-like sand dunes leading down to the sea.

Qatar - The official tourism site with a neat Flash interface leading vistiors around to more on major cities and attractions, historical sites, sports & leisure activities, weather facts, event calendar.

Qatar Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Don't let the title put you off from tons of useful facts on traveling throughout Qatar including a browseable directory of hotels, beach resorts & restaurants, information & photos of over major cities, top attractions, historic forts & museums.

Qater-Info - Entertaining and comprehensive insider views on Qater life and tourism included in the online magazine, together with cyber brochures of major cities and attractions, suggested hotels & restaurants, practical travel info,

Qater Travel Information - Lonely Planet guide with information on top attractions including details on Doha, Umm Salal Mohammed, Al-Shahaniya, Al-Zubara and Khor Al-Adaid, plus practical travel tips, photos, related links.

Heritage Qatar - Nicely done by Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar, featuring a comprehensive history inclluding information on forts, museums and other attractions to visit, photo tour, interactive map.