Qatar, officially the State of Qatar, is a country located in Western Asia. It has a total area of 11,586 square km. Doha is its capital and largest city. Arabic is the official and English is the common language in the country. Riyal (QAR) is its official currency. Saudi Arabia is its only land bordering country. With these 29 fascinating facts about Qatar,you will learn about the peaceful state ofQatar, which lies in the Arabian Gulf. Travelers who visit the sovereign country gain great insight into the Arab World.
Facts about Qatar’s economy
1. Qatar is among the top ten leading producers of LNG– liquefied natural gas.
2. The state of Qatarrecently spent an incredible $30 billion dollarson new infrastructure. Leading transport projects included Ashghal’s Expressway and the New Port Project. Leading property projects included theMsheireb developmentand theLusail Cityproject.
3. Qatar State has experienced significant economic growth. Continuing economic growth has helped to makeQatar one of the world’s richest nations.
4. TheHamad International Airportwas opened in 2014. It has the ability to handle around fifty million passengers each year.
The Hamad International Airport, Qatar. Image Source
5. The Hamad International Airport isthe ninth biggest in the world. (Facts About Airplanes)
6. Revenue generated from oil and natural gas reserves makesQatar residents the second-highest earners in the world. There are numerous banks in the state including commercial banks, foreign banks, and the Qatar Central Bank.
Sports in Qatar
Trophy of the FIFA World Cup 2018 against the backdrop of the Luzhniki stadium in Moscow. Photo: fifg / Shutterstock.com
7. Qatar will host the next FIFA World Cup to be staged in 2022. Qataris also enjoy many sports including handball, drag racing, golf, powerboat racing, futsal, basketball, camel racing, water sports, swimming, and cricket.
8. The opening trip of theWorld Motocross championshipwas held in Qatar in February 2015. The off-road motorcycle race was run during the night owing to the extreme daytime heat.
9. TheQatari National Football Leagueare Middle East Champions. The Qatar Stars League was founded in 1963 and consists of fourteen teams.
10. Amateur pearl divers still swim the Inland Sea off the shore of Qatar in search of Pearl Oysters. Many Qatari peopleonce earned their living diving for pearl oysters.
11. TheAspire Zone sports academywas built on 240 hectares of land. The sporting paradise is home to medical facilities, a mosque, parkland, a retail area, an International sports Stadium, a sports club and a sports education class.
Flag of Qatar
The national flag of Qatar. Image credit – CIA
Facts about food in Qatar
12. Qataris eat their main meal of the day at lunchtime.Karak tea is served after meals; the rich milky tea is laced with Cardamom. The Friday midday meal, after prayers, is usually a time for the whole family to get together.
Karak National hot Drink in Qatar.
13. Many Qatarisenjoy sweet foods. In Qatar it is traditional to eat a large spoonful of honey at night and in the morning. The people of Qatar relish fresh dates and picanuts.
14. Traditional Qatari food isinfluenced by Indian and Iranian cuisine. Qatari speciality dishes include Ghuzi, Motabel, Biriani, Taboulleh, and Hummus.
15. Machbous isan important traditional dish. The rich stew consists of meat and rice or seafood and rice.
16. Many Qatarisdo not use cutlery. The meal is served in a large dish and the diners use bread to scoop-up their food.
