In 1988, Sheikh Ahmed bin Hamad Al-Thani, witnessed a demonstration of GIS technology in Canada and recognized its potential to revolutionize the way information is managed in Qatar. He convinced senior members of the government of this vision and with their cooperation a government-wide user needs study was conducted in 1989 to ascertain which areas of government would clearly benefit from the implementation of GIS.

The study indicated that the potential use for GIS in Qatar was enormous. Three key recommendations resulting from the study were: that a Digital mapping database be implemented for the entire country; that a comprehensive fully integrated nationwide GIS be created; and that a high level National GIS Steering Committee be established to set standards and oversee the implementation and development of GIS in Qatar.

Acting on these recommendations, Qatar established a National GIS Steering Committee and The Centre for GIS. The role of The Centre being to implement GIS in Qatar in an organized and systematic fashion and impartially serve the GIS requirements of all government agencies.

One of the primary tasks of The Centre was to implement a high resolution Digital Topographic Database which is now in place providing a consistent framework for a wide range of GIS users and their applications.

Today, 16 government agencies in Qatar are using GIS in their day to day activities. Their databases are compatible and they are all integrated through a high speed fibre optic network. Dozens of GIS applications have been developed and are at use benefiting government workers, private businesses and citizens alike.

Qatar is the first country to implement a comprehensive nationwide GIS and is internationally recognized as having one of the finest GIS implementations in the world.

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