Country Profile: Qatar

Country Resources

Topographic
SeriesPublisherScaleYearsSheets
Qatar 1:50,000 Scale Topographic MapsMinistry of Public Works1:50,0001982 – 19822
Qatar 1:1,000 Scale Vector DataQatar Center for Geographic Information Systems1:1,0009300
Qatar 1:10,000 Scale Vector DataQatar Center for Geographic Information Systems1:10,000219
Qatar 1:50,000 Scale Topographic Maps (QCGIS)Qatar Center for Geographic Information Systems1:50,00015
Bahrain 1:50,000 Scale Topographic MapsState of Bahrain, Survey Directorate1:50,0001986 – 19862

Aeronautical
SeriesPublisherScaleYearsSheets
Qatar 1:500,000 Scale Aeronautical ChartsQatar Civil Aviation Authority1:500,0002016 – 20161

Geoscientific
SeriesPublisherScaleYearsSheets
Oman 1:1,000,000 Scale Geological MapsDirectorate General of Minerals1:1,000,0001993 – 19931

Thematic
SeriesPublisherScaleYearsSheets
The World 1:30,000,000 Scale Topographic Map Series 1145 (NGA)DMA1:30,000,0002

Global Census Archive: GIS Census Data

East View Geospatial has an ongoing effort to add GIS census data to our Global Census Archive program. Please contact us for the status and availability of Qatar census resources.


Global Resources

Topographic
SeriesPublisherScaleYearsSheets
Soviet Military City PlansVoenno-topograficheskoe upravlenie General’nogo shtaba (Soviet Union)Varies1944 – 20033017
Soviet Military 1:100,000 Scale Topographic MapsVoenno-topograficheskoe upravlenie General’nogo shtaba (Soviet Union)1:100,0001947 – 199924897
Soviet Military 1:200,000 Scale Topographic MapsVoenno-topograficheskoe upravlenie General’nogo shtaba (Soviet Union)1:200,0001949 – 200917799
Soviet Military 1:500,000 Scale Topographic MapsVoenno-topograficheskoe upravlenie General’nogo shtaba (Soviet Union)1:500,0001953 – 19983093

Nautical
SeriesPublisherScaleYearsSheets
NGA Nautical Charts POD Certified (All Scales)National Geospatial-Intelligence AgencyVaries1943 – 20134517

Aeronautical
SeriesPublisherScaleYearsSheets
Joint Operations Graphic (JOG) 1:250,000 – AeronauticalDefence Mapping Agency1:250,0001958 – 20074204
Tactical Pilotage Chart (TPC) 1:500,000 Scale – AeronauticalDefence Mapping Agency1:500,0001967 – 2006598
Operational Navigation Chart (ONC) 1:1,000,000 Scale – AeronauticalDefence Mapping Agency1:1,000,0001969 – 2001243
Jet Navigation Chart (JNC) 1:2,000,000 Scale – AeronauticalDefence Mapping Agency1:2,000,0001971 – 1999117
Global Navigation and Planning Chart (GNC) 1:5,000,000 Scale – AeronauticalDefence Mapping Agency1:5,000,0001981 – 199927

Geoscientific
SeriesPublisherScaleYearsSheets
Soviet Military 1:1,000,000 Scale Topographic MapsVoenno-topograficheskoe upravlenie General’nogo shtaba (Soviet Union)1:1,000,0001948 – 19941089

Note: East View Geospatial is continuously sourcing new resources that may not yet be listed in Global Explorer. Please contact us if you have geodata needs beyond what is listed above and we will be happy to discuss available off-the-shelf and custom solutions.


Historical Country Mapping Information

Jump to: Topographic | GIS/Vector | Nautical | Geological/Scientific | Tourist/Reference

Topographic

Mapping of the wealthy Gulf state of Qatar is coordinated through the Center for Geographic Information Systems (QCGIS), established by the Cabinet of Ministers in 1990. The map base of the peninsula was created in the period between 1947 and 1984 by Hunting Surveys in response to oil exploration needs. Modern photogrammetric surveys were carried out in the 1970s and a new geodetic framework was established, including the Qatar national grid, and mapping standards based upon the use of UTM specifications. Grid-based sheet lines have been used for series at scales from 1:100,000 through to 1:500 urban mapping. Basic scale mapping in the 1980s was carried out by the Engineering Services Department which produced maps at 1:5,000, 1:2,000, 1:1,000 or 1:500 scales depending upon the area. 1:5,000 and 1:2,000 scale maps showed relief with 1 m contours; the larger scale plans used spot heights and were uncontoured. Data were revised on a regular basis. Derived printed maps were in four colors with English and Arabic lettering. National coverage at 1:10,000 scale required 281 sheets, with 2 m contours, 1:50,000 scale maps covered Qatar in 15 sheets with contours at 2 m or 4 m intervals, while 1:100,000 scale mapping needed four sheets and showed relief with 4 m contours. A single 1:200,000 scale map of the state was also maintained.

The best available coverage of Qatar is Soviet military topographic mapping, it exists at the following scales: 1:1,000,000 (1 sheet, complete coverage, published in 1983); 1:500,000 (4 sheets, complete coverage, published 1977-1982); 1:200,000 (9 sheets, complete coverage, published in 1975); 1:100,000 (18 sheets, complete coverage, published 1978-1984) and a city (1:10,000) topographic map of Doha published in 1979. These products are available in print, digital raster and digital vector GIS formats from East View Geospatial.

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GIS/Vector

From 1988 an ambitious program of digital conversion was started by the Ministry of Industry and Public Works Survey Unit, which led to Qatar being the first country in the world with a nation-wide and completely integrated GIS. QCGIS now coordinates all mapping activity carried out by 16 different government agencies and maintains the ARC/ INFO and ORACLE-based national online base map, captured from hard copy maps and 1:5,000 scale aerial photography. Regularly flown aerial coverage is used to maintain the currency of these data. Digital elevation models of the country were captured from 1:30,000 and 1:54,000 scale aerial coverage flown in 1995, with a vertical accuracy of 1 m, and digital ortho-imagery of the country has been captured, with 1 m pixel resolution. The system was fully operational by the end of 1998, and is being updated on a daily basis. An electronic place finder for Doha, with English or Arabic place names is also derived from the digital data.

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Nautical

Hydrographic charting of Qatari waters is published on charts from the British Hydrographic Office (HO), Taunton.

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Geological/Scientific

The Department of Industrial Development in the Ministry of Energy and Industry is responsible for earth sciences activities in Qatar.

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Tourist/Reference

Commercially published mapping from GEO-projects provides the best overview of Qatar.

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Content copyright © 2014 De Gruyter for e-version of World Mapping Today, 2nd Edition