Al Mukaynis
Al Mukaynis is a district located in the municipality of Ar Rayyan, Qatar, near Mebaireek. Mudhlem Cave, which translates to "Dark Cave" in Arabic, is located in the area. Nearby Al Rekayya Farms is a popular bird watching site.
In J.G. Lorimer's Gazetteer of the Persian Gulf, Al Mukaynis was mentioned as a stopover on the route from Hofuf to Doha as early as 1908.
Etymology
The name Al Mukaynis derives from the Arabic term mekainis, a diminutive of maknas, which denotes a habitat frequented by wild animals during periods of extreme heat. The site, formerly a rawda, once served as a seasonal refuge for such wildlife.Geography
Al Mukaynis is located in south-central Qatar, south of the Doha-Abu Samra road. It forms part of the northern zone of the southern desert region, which occupies 34.7% of Qatar's total area. Of the four sub-regions of the southern desert, Al Mukaynis is a part of the Miocene-Tiwar sub-area. The area around Al Mukaynis is part of a region characterized by a mix of rocky plains and sand dunes. It is located in a zone where the landscape begins to show more varied topographical features compared to areas further north.Al Mukaynis is near an area of geological interest, characterized by Miocene-era formations that are distinct from the surrounding older rock types. The surrounding area has a generally undulating surface with elevations not exceeding above sea level.