Simaisma

Simaisma سُمَيْسِمَة
Town
View of the town's coastline
Simaisma
Coordinates: QA 25°34′29″N 51°29′11″E / 25.57472°N 51.48639°ECoordinates: QA 25°34′29″N 51°29′11″E / 25.57472°N 51.48639°E
Country	Qatar
Municipality	Al Khor
Area
• Total	2.14 km^2 (0.83 sq mi)

Simaisma is a small seaside town located on the eastern coast of Qatar 30 km north of the capital Doha.^[1][2] It was demarcated in 1988.^[3] This town is characterized by old houses and mosques that are relics from the days before oil and natural gas were discovered in Qatar.

History

Ruined buildings in Simaisma.

Mosque in a residential area in Simaisma.

J.G. Lorimer's Gazetteer of the Persian Gulf gives an account of Simaisma in 1908:

A walled village on the east coast of Qatar, situated at the bottom of a small bay about midway between Lusail and Al Khor. One mile east of it, at the southern point of the same bay, is the village of Al Daayen, with which it is intimately connected. Sumaismah is inhabited by about 250 families of the Al Bu Kuwarah [Kuwari] tribe, and there are also a few Kibisah [Qubaisi]. There are 50 pearl boats [manned by 600 men] here, also 10 other sea-going vessels and 10 fishing boats. Livestock include 6 horses and 70 camels. Drinking water is obtained from the wells of 'Awainat Bin-Husain, 4 miles to the westward: near the village there is also a small well called Khariqat Sumaismah, but its water is bitter.^[4]

Attractions

Simaisma has a youth centre. Its Kashta exhibition opened on 18 October 2014. The exhibition showcases materials related to heritage, folk crafts and camping.^[5] A recreational facility known as Simaisma Olympic Park was opened in June 2012.^[6]

Murwab Hotel Group launched Simaisma Resort in February 2016. The resort has 52 villas and 4 restaurants.^[7]

Transport

The main highway to Simaisma.

A roundabout with shops.

Simaisma is connected to the main highway in the municipality through Simaisma Road, a 7 kilometres (4.3 mi) carriageway.^[8] There is no public transport in the town.^[9]

Education

The town's first formal school for boys was opened in 1957.^[10] One year later, a school for girls was opened.^[11] Simaisma's public schools only provide primary education. Students typically continue their secondary education in Al Khor.^[9]

Sports

Simaisma hosted the first point of the final stage of the Tour of Al Zubarah in December 2015.^[12] It also hosted part of the second stage of the 2016 Tour of Qatar.^[13]

A small football stadium is located in the town which serves its amateur football team.^[9] Simaisma FC won the non-professional Al Frjan League two times in a row in 2013 and 2014.^[14]

Archaeology

Plaster vessels purposefully designed to resemble Ubaid pottery were found in Simaisma through an archaeological expedition. Also found in the town were two circular burial mounds dating to the 5th century B.C., the earliest burial sites yet discovered in Qatar.^[15]

References

1. "2010 population census" (PDF). Qatar Statistics Authority. Retrieved 13 March 2015.
2. "District map". The Centre for Geographic Information Systems of Qatar. Retrieved 16 May 2015.
3. "Law No. 21 of 1988 On the Delimitation of the City of Sumaysima". almeezan.qa. Retrieved 29 July 2015.
4. "'Gazetteer of the Persian Gulf. Vol. II. Geographical and Statistical. J G Lorimer. 1908' [1844] (1967/2084)". Qatar Digital Library. Retrieved 28 July 2015. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
5. "Prime Minister tours travel, camping exhibition". Gulf Times. 19 October 2014. Retrieved 3 August 2015.
6. "Simaisma Olympic Park Opened". Qatar Olympic Committee. 18 June 2012. Retrieved 3 August 2015.
7. Charmaine Fernz (5 February 2016). "Murwab unveils new oceanfront resort in Qatar". Travel Daily Media. Retrieved 14 February 2016.
8. "Detailed Design for North Road". Dar al-Handash Shair and Partners. Retrieved 3 August 2015.
9. "ســـميســمة المدينة الحالمة في أحضان البحر" (in Arabic). Al Watan. 7 December 2011. Retrieved 14 February 2016.
10. Abdulla Juma Kobaisi (1979). "The Development of Education in Qatar, 1950–1970" (PDF). Durham University. p. 41–42. Retrieved 19 December 2015.
11. "تطور التعليم في مدينة الخور من بداية القرن العشرين حتى بداية الخمسينات منه ( التعليم الرسمي )" (in Arabic). Al Misnad School. Retrieved 14 February 2016.
12. "Palini, Revuelta get set for Tour of Zubarah". The Peninsula. 16 December 2015. Retrieved 14 February 2016.
13. Lesley Walker (8 February 2016). "Expect traffic diversions as Men's Tour of Qatar opens today". Doha News. Retrieved 14 February 2016.
14. "توج فريق سميسمة بطلاً لكأس فرجان قطر" (in Arabic). Al Maghrib Today. 2 June 2014. Retrieved 14 February 2016.
15. Richard Thorburn Howard Cuttler (2014). Human populations and former sub-aerial landscapes of the Arabian gulf: research and conservation (PDF) (Ph.D.). University of Birmingham. Retrieved 8 February 2016.