Qatar
Capital
Doha
Population
~2.9 million
Currency
Qatari Riyal (QAR)
Quick Facts
- Languages
- Arabic
- Religion
- Predominantly Wahhabi Sunni Islam
- Climate
- Hot desert; very high summer temperatures and humidity
Culture & History
Known for: vast natural gas wealth, hosting the 2022 FIFA World Cup, and Al Jazeera media network
Also famous for: High GDP per capita, large expatriate population, modern architecture, Pearl-Qatar island
Food: Machboos (spiced rice with meat/fish), Harees
Brief History
British protectorate, independence 1971, transformed by oil and gas discovery, plays significant regional diplomatic role