Interesting facts about Qatar

qatar flag

Qatar is a sovereign country located in Western Asia, occupying the small Qatar Peninsula on the northeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula.

The official name of the country is the State of Qatar.

Qatar has one land border with Saudi Arabia to the south, and the rest of its territory is surrounded by the Persian Gulf. A strait in the Persian Gulf separates Qatar from the nearby island country of Bahrain, as well as sharing maritime borders with the United Arab Emirates and Iran.

The official language of Qatar is Arabic, but English is the second language and is very widely spoken.

As of 1 January 2017, the population of Qatar was estimated to be 2,415,588 people.

It is the 158th largest country in the world in terms of area with an area covering 11,437 square kilometers (4,416 square miles).

Doha is the capital city and most populous city of the State of Qatar. The city is located on the coast of the Persian Gulf in the east of the country. It is Qatar’s fastest growing city, with over 50% of the nation’s population living in Doha or its surrounding suburbs, and it is also the economic center of the country.

doha

Qatar’s terrain is mostly a flat and barren desert covered with loose sand and gravel, with some low hills and a central limestone plateau.

Qurain Abu al-Bawl is the highest point of Qatar, with an altitude of 103 meters (343 feet).

Qatar has 563 kilometers (350 miles) of coastline.

qatar coastline

Qatar has established 5 terrestrial protected areas accounting for about 18% of the total land area, and 3 marine protected areas.

Al Reem Biosphere Reserve is an inhabited area of 120,000 hectares (296,526 acres) in northwest Qatar that includes semi-arid desert landscapes that are home to gazelles and Arabian oryx. It is one of 24 UNESCO Biosphere Reserves in the Middle East. It was established in 2005 and accounts for approximately 10% of Qatar’s land area. It was recognized by UNESCO in 2007.

al reem biosphere reserve

Qatar has 1 UNESCO world heritage site.

Zubarah, also referred to as Al Zubarah or Az Zubarah, is a ruined and ancient fort located on the north western coast of the Qatar peninsula about 105 kilometers 65 miles from the Qatari capital of Doha. It was founded by Al Bin Ali , main and principal Utub tribe in the first half of the eighteenth century. It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2013.

zubarah

Souq Waqif is a souq in Doha, in the state of Qatar. The souq is noted for selling traditional garments, spices, handicrafts, and souvenirs. It is also home to dozens of restaurants and Shisha lounges. Although it dates back at least a hundred years, it was renovated in 2006 to conserve its traditional architectural style.

souq waqif

The Museum of Islamic Art is a museum located on the Corniche in the Qatari capital Doha. The iconic building was designed by architect I. M. Pei. The museum is influenced by ancient Islamic architecture, yet has a unique design. It was the first of its kind in the Arab States of the Persian Gulf and has a very large collection of Islamic art, plus a study and a library.

museum of islamic art

Katara is a cultural village in Doha. There are many cultural activities including art exhibitions, indy films, operas, orchestras and festivals. Built to replicate a traditional Qatari village with a few twists thrown in, such as the newly-built Falcon Museum, shaped like a falcon hood.

katara

The Imam Abdul Wahhab Mosque more commonly known as the State Grand Mosque, this is the largest mosque in Qatar with 90 domes, 18 entrances and capacity for 30,000 people. Built in 2013, it was named after the 18th century Islamic theologian and inaugurated by the Former Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani.

state grand mosque

The Pearl-Qatar in Doha is an artificial island spanning nearly 400 hectares. It is the first land in Qatar to be available for freehold ownership by foreign nationals. It has residential accommodation, hotels, marina, and retail areas.

pearl qatar

This oil-rich nation, under British protection until 1971.

In 1971, Qatar was to join the other emirates of the Trucial Coast to become part of the United Arab Emirates. But both Qatar and Bahrain decided against the merger and instead formed independent nations.

Qatar has exported oil since 1949, and as reserves decline, the nation has turned to its natural gas.

Qatar has the world’s third largest natural gas reserves and oil reserves.

Qatar is the leading exporter of liquefied natural gas.

As of 2016, Qatar has the fourth highest GDP per capita in the world, according to the International Monetary Fund.

economy

Qatar is a constitutional monarchy headed by Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al- Thani.

Qatar is classified by the UN as a country of very high human development and is the most advanced Arab state for human development.

Qatari cuisine is made up of traditional Arab cuisine. It is also largely influenced by Iranian and Indian cuisine.

Machbūs, a meal consisting of rice, meat, and vegetables, is the national dish in Qatar.

machbūs

Karak tea is served after meals; the rich milky tea is laced with Cardamom.

The national flower of Qatar is Qataf.

The national animal of Qatar is the Arabian oryx.

The national bird of Qatar is the falcon.

Sport in Qatar is primarily centered on football in terms in participation and spectators. Additionally, athletics, basketball, handball, volleyball, tennis, camel racing, horse racing, cricket and swimming are also widely practiced.

Qatar will host the 2022 FIFA World Cup, becoming the first Arab country to do so.

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