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Jebel Al Wakrah

Coordinates: 25°8′52″N 51°36′52″E / 25.14778°N 51.61444°E / 25.14778; 51.61444
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25°8′52″N 51°36′52″E / 25.14778°N 51.61444°E / 25.14778; 51.61444

Jebel Al Wakrah labeled on an 1829 map.

Jebel Al Wakrah (Arabic: جبل الوكرة) is a hill and local landmark of the city of Al Wakrah on the eastern coast of Qatar. Located just off the shoreline, Jebel Al Wakrah is a level-topped rocky hill of brown color standing from 85 feet (26 m) to 104 feet (32 m) in height,[1] and is visible from approximately 12 miles.[2] It was formed almost entirely from wind-blown deposits.[1]

Etymology

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According to the Ministry of Municipality and Environment, the city of Al Wakrah derived its name from a hill that was a popular nesting spot for birds (bird's nest transliterates to "wakar" in Arabic), most likely referring to Jebel Al Wakrah.[3]

History

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In 1868, the Battle of Jebel Wakrah, the final military engagement of the Qatari–Bahraini War, took place here after Bahraini forces pursued the Qatari forces fleeing from their defeat in the Battle of Al Damsah. The Qataris defeated the Bahrainis in the ensuing battle after capturing two of their commanders, prompting the start of peace negotiations.[4]

Archaeological artifacts were uncovered at the jebel by the Danish archaeological expedition during the 1950s and 1960s and by the British Mission led by Beatrice de Cardi in 1973.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c de Cardi, Beatrice (1979). Qatar archaeological report: excavations 1973. Published for the Qatar National Museum by Oxford University Press. p. 13.
  2. ^ The Persian Gulf pilot: comprising the Persian Gulf, Gulf of Omán; and Makran coast. Great Britain: Hydrographic Dept. 1890. p. 122.
  3. ^ "Geoportal". The Centre for Geographic Information Systems of Qatar. Archived from the original on 24 November 2020. Retrieved 20 February 2019.
  4. ^ Mitchell, Jocelyn Sage (July 2021). "Transnational identity and the Gulf crisis: changing narratives of belonging in Qatar". International Affairs. 97 (4). Oxford Academic: 929–944. doi:10.1093/ia/iiab013.