Country book · Middle East & Africa

Qatar

Desert peninsula, global stage

Qatar transformed from a pearling and fishing economy into a gas-rich peninsula hosting World Cups and global museums, all within a couple of generations. Doha's skyline now sits beside restored wind-tower souks and a corniche built for evening walks.

Myths

What's true, what isn't

Actually true

Qatar hosted the 2022 FIFA World Cup
It was the first Middle Eastern country to host the tournament, building several stadiums from scratch.
It has enormous natural gas reserves
Qatar shares one of the world's largest gas fields with Iran and built its modern wealth on exporting it.
Falconry is still practiced seriously
Falcons are traded, trained and even given their own passports and dedicated hospital in Doha.
Museum architecture here is world class
The Museum of Islamic Art and National Museum of Qatar were designed by major international architects.

Commonly believed, wrong

"It's just Dubai's smaller cousin"
Qatar has its own distinct urban plan, government structure and cultural investment strategy.
"There's no history here, only new buildings"
Doha's Souq Waqif and pearling history trace back centuries before the gas boom.
"It's too hot to visit ever"
Winter months bring pleasant, mild weather ideal for outdoor sightseeing.
"The whole country is one city"
Qatar has desert reserves, coastal villages and the inland sea at Khor Al Adaid.

Highlights

The best of Qatar

Souq Waqif at night

Restored wind-tower buildings, spice stalls and falcon shops come alive after sunset.

The Museum of Islamic Art

I.M. Pei's limestone building holds centuries of Islamic art on Doha's corniche.

Khor Al Adaid inland sea

A striking meeting point of desert dunes and seawater in the country's south.

Doha's West Bay skyline

A dense cluster of glass towers viewed best from a dhow on the corniche at dusk.

Culture

Cultural riches

Pearling history

Before oil and gas, Qatar's economy was built on pearl diving in the Gulf.

Falcon culture

Falcons are prized possessions, traded at dedicated souqs and flown in desert competitions.

Majlis tradition

The majlis, a formal sitting room for hosting guests, remains central to Qatari social life.

National Day celebrations

December 18 brings parades, fireworks and displays across Doha's corniche.

Food

What to eat

Machboos

Spiced rice with meat and dried lime, Qatar's version of the Gulf-wide biryani-style dish.

Harees

Wheat and meat slow-cooked into a thick, porridge-like dish, traditionally served during Ramadan.

Balaleet

Sweet vermicelli noodles with cardamom and saffron, topped with a savoury omelette.

Luqaimat

Deep-fried dough balls drizzled with date syrup, a popular Ramadan-season sweet.

Karak tea

Strong, sweet, cardamom-spiced milk tea sold at roadside stalls across Doha.

History

Important people in history

Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani

1878–1913

Considered the founder of modern Qatar, who unified the peninsula's tribes.

Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani

1995–2013

Emir who launched Al Jazeera and drove Qatar's rapid modern development.

Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani

2013–present

Current emir who oversaw the 2022 World Cup and continued economic diversification.

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