Doha serves as the capital, largest city, and primary financial hub of Qatar. Situated on the Persian Gulf coast in the eastern part of the country, it lies north of Al Wakrah and south of Al Khor and Lusail. The metropolis is home to the majority of the nation's residents, with over eighty percent of the population living within Doha or its surrounding suburbs, collectively known as the Doha Metropolitan Area.

The city was founded in the 1820s as an offshoot of the settlement Al Bidda. It was officially declared the country's capital in 1971 following Qatar's independence from British protectorate status. Early history involves the town's destruction by East India Company forces in 1821 and subsequent conflicts, including the Qatari–Bahraini War of 1867, before the House of Al Thani assumed control and established long-term governance.

Doha is characterized by rapid modernization and a rapidly growing skyline. Key districts include Education City, dedicated to research, and Hamad Medical City for healthcare administration. The city features Doha Sports City, also known as Aspire Zone, which houses the Khalifa International Stadium, Hama Aquatic Centre, and the Aspire Dome, marking its status as an international sports destination.

The city has hosted numerous global events, including the 2006 Asian Games, the 2019 World Beach Games, and the 2022 FIFA World Cup. It also served as the host for the Doha Development Round of WTO negotiations and the 2012 UNFCCC Climate Negotiations. These events have cemented its role as an emergent financial center in the Middle East, ranked Beta+ on the Globalization and World Cities Research Network scale.

Doha has a population of 1,186,023 as of 2020. The economy is driven by international trade and travel, supported by Hamad International Airport, the hub for Qatar Airways. While Arabic is the official language, English serves as the lingua franca for retail and service staff. The city continues to expand its infrastructure, aiming to become a central hub for commerce and tourism in the region.