Western Asia · Asia

Qatar

Discover Qatar - a small desert peninsula with one of the world's highest GDP per capita figures, futuristic architecture, and ambitions that dwarf its size.

Where Is Qatar?

Qatar is a country in Western Asia. Its capital is Doha.

Where Qatar isWestern Asia · Capital Doha

Capital Doha
Population 2.97M
Area 11,586 km²

Qatar is a country that punches so far above its weight it has essentially left the ring. This tiny peninsula jutting into the Persian Gulf is smaller than Connecticut, with a population of just 3 million - yet it has one of the highest GDP per capita figures on Earth, hosted the 2022 FIFA World Cup, runs Al Jazeera, owns stakes in everything from Harrods to Volkswagen, and has turned Doha into a city of architectural wonders that makes science fiction look conservative.

All of this comes from natural gas. Qatar sits on top of the North Field, the largest natural gas reservoir in the world, and it has used that wealth with a strategic ambition that is genuinely remarkable. The Museum of Islamic Art, designed by I.M. Pei, is one of the finest museums on the planet. Education City hosts branch campuses of six American universities. Katara Cultural Village celebrates arts and heritage. Doha's skyline is a forest of futuristic towers that did not exist a generation ago. Beneath the glass and steel, though, Qatar is still a desert nation with Bedouin roots - falconry, camel racing, and pearl diving are part of the cultural DNA, and the old souq in Doha still smells of spices and incense.

At a glance

Language

Arabic

Currency

Qatari Riyal (QAR)

Calling Code

+974

Drives On

Right

Internet

.qa

Timezone

AST (UTC+3)

Script

Arabic

Government

Unitary Semi-constitutional Monarchy

Independence

1971

By population

Largest cities in Qatar

Doha

Capital city and home to nearly 80% of the population, a futuristic skyline on the Persian Gulf with world-class museums, restaurants, and the iconic Corniche

2,400,000

Al Wakrah

Historic fishing and pearling town south of Doha with a renovated heritage souq and the Al Janoub Stadium designed by Zaha Hadid

300,000

Al Khor

Northern coastal city with mangrove reserves, a fishing harbor, and proximity to Qatar's largest natural gas processing facilities

200,000

People

Famous people from Qatar

Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani
Politics
Former Emir who transformed Qatar from a quiet Gulf state into a global power, founding Al Jazeera and winning the World Cup bid
Sheikha Al-Mayassa bint Hamad
Art
Chairwoman of Qatar Museums and one of the most influential figures in the global art world, overseeing a collection worth billions
Mutaz Essa Barshim
Sport
High jump Olympic champion who shared the Tokyo 2020 gold medal in one of the most memorable moments in Olympic history

Food

Traditional cuisine of Qatar

Machbous: Qatar's national dish of spiced rice with lamb or fish, flavored with dried limes, cardamom, and turmeric - the Gulf's answer to biryani
Harees: Slow-cooked wheat and meat porridge with a smooth, buttery texture, a staple during Ramadan and religious celebrations
Luqaimat: Golden fried dough balls drizzled with date syrup and sesame seeds, a beloved traditional sweet snack
Karak Tea: Strong black tea simmered with evaporated milk, sugar, and cardamom, the unofficial national drink consumed at all hours

Nature

Nature and landmarks in Qatar

Inland Sea (Khor Al Adaid)Desert: UNESCO-recognized natural reserve where the desert meets the sea, one of the few places in the world where sand dunes roll directly into tidal waters
Al Thakira MangrovesCoast: Dense mangrove forest along the northeastern coast, a rare ecosystem in the Gulf that supports migratory birds and marine life
Zekreet PeninsulaDesert: Remote western peninsula with dramatic mushroom-shaped rock formations, desert wildlife, and Richard Serra's massive East-West/West-East sculpture
Purple IslandIsland: Small island near Al Khor with archaeological evidence of ancient Kassite-era purple dye production dating back over 3,000 years

Sport

Sports in Qatar

Football: Hosted the 2022 FIFA World Cup and won the 2019 AFC Asian Cup, their first-ever continental title, defeating Japan in the final
Athletics: Mutaz Essa Barshim became Qatar's first Olympic gold medalist in track and field, competing in high jump at the highest level for over a decade
Camel Racing: Traditional desert sport now run with robot jockeys, with prestigious races drawing massive crowds and prize money

Facts

Did you know?

Qatar has one of the highest GDP per capita figures in the world, driven almost entirely by natural gas and petroleum exports
The country is building Lusail City from scratch - an entirely new city for 450,000 people that hosted the 2022 World Cup final
Qatar's North Field is the single largest natural gas reservoir on Earth, shared with Iran's South Pars field
Al Jazeera, the Arabic news network that changed Middle Eastern media, was founded and funded by Qatar in 1996
Only about 15% of Qatar's population are Qatari citizens - the rest are expatriate workers from around the world
The 2022 World Cup was the first to be held in the Middle East and the first played in November-December instead of the traditional summer window

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