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Qatar

Qatar

Capital:Doha
Population:3.0M
Currency:Qatari Rial (QAR)
Language:Arabic (official), English commonly used as a second language
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Quick Look Factsheet

A multi-page overview of Qatar.

Qatar Factsheet

Customs and Culture

Cultural Attributes

Qatar, a small but wealthy country on the Arabian Peninsula, has a rich and diverse culture shaped by its history, traditions, and modern influences.

Islamic Heritage: Islam plays a central role in Qatari society, influencing various aspects of daily life, including social norms, laws, and customs. The majority of Qatar's population is Muslim, and Islamic traditions and values are deeply ingrained in the culture.

Hospitality: Hospitality, known as "diwaniya" in Arabic, is highly valued in Qatari culture. Qatari families customarily welcome guests warmly into their homes and offer them food, refreshments, and conversation. Hosting guests is seen as a reflection of generosity and social status.

Traditional Dress: Traditional Qatari attire for men includes the "thobe," a long white robe, often worn with a "ghutra" (headscarf) and "agal" (black cord to secure the ghutra). Women typically wear the "abaya," a long black cloak, and may cover their heads with a scarf known as the "shayla." While traditional dress is still common, many Qataris wear Western clothing, especially in urban areas.

Family Values: Family is central to Qatari society, and strong family ties are highly valued. Extended families often live close to one another and gather regularly for meals, celebrations, and social gatherings. Respect for elders and obedience to parents are important cultural values.

Cuisine: Qatari cuisine is influenced by Bedouin and Persian culinary traditions. It features dishes such as "machboos" (spiced rice with meat), "harees" (a porridge-like dish made from wheat and meat), and "balaleet" (sweet vermicelli noodles). Dates, milk, and camel meat are also commonly consumed.

Arts and Literature: Qatar has a burgeoning arts scene, with initiatives like the Qatar Museums Authority and the Doha Film Institute promoting cultural activities and supporting local artists. Traditional Qatari arts and crafts, such as embroidery, calligraphy, and weaving, are also cherished forms of expression.

Sports and Recreation: Traditional sports like camel racing and falconry hold cultural significance in Qatar, although modern sports such as football (soccer) have gained widespread popularity. Qatar is set to host the FIFA World Cup in 2022, highlighting the country's growing presence in the global sports arena.

Modernization: Rapid economic development and modernization have significantly changed Qatari society in recent decades. Urbanization, technological advancements, and an influx of expatriate workers have transformed Qatar's cultural landscape, blending traditional and contemporary influences.

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The Desert's Pearl Reborn

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5 more cultural topics for members

Social Customs & Etiquette · Diet · Family · Dating Customs · Recreation

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Holidays

  • Independence Day

    9/3

    Independence Day

Dates of Interest

  • July - August

    Celebrated during the middle of Ramadan, Garangao is a traditional Qatari children's festival. Children dress in traditional attire and go door-to-door singing songs and collecting sweets and nuts.

How do people greet each other in Qatar?

Men usually shake hands when they meet, but handshakes across genders are avoided unless initiated by the other person, particularly by conservative women.

Do

  • Shake hands with other men, especially in formal or professional settings
  • Wait for a woman to initiate a greeting before offering a handshake
  • Accept qahwa (black, unsweetened coffee) and fresh dates when received as a guest

Don’t

  • Don't shake a woman's hand unless she extends hers first

Good to know

  • Close friends of the same sex may link arms or hold hands while walking
  • Fresh dates are served with qahwa to sweeten the palate between sips

What are the dining customs in Qatar?

Lunch is the biggest meal, eaten after 1 PM, and many people eat without cutlery, scooping food with bread held in the right hand.

Do

  • Use a piece of bread in your right hand to scoop up food
  • Expect a light early breakfast around 6:00 a.m. of olives, cheese, yogurt and coffee

Good to know

  • Try local dishes like matchbous (spiced lamb with rice) and hareis (slow-cooked wheat and lamb)
  • Dinner is usually light, except during Ramadan and special occasions
  • Save room for desserts like umm Ali, esh asaraya and mehalabiya

What etiquette should visitors know in Qatar?

Hospitality is central to Qatari life, and guests are received in a majlis (reception area), with men and women rarely socializing together.

Do

  • Respect elders by greeting them politely and using formal language
  • Maintain eye contact as a sign of attentiveness and respect
  • Respect personal space, especially with the opposite gender

Don’t

  • Don't expect men and women to socialize together; women receive guests separately
  • Avoid prolonged eye contact with members of the opposite gender

Good to know

  • Guests are traditionally welcomed warmly with food, refreshments and conversation

What should I wear in Qatar?

Traditional dress reflects Islamic values and the desert climate: men wear the thobe with a ghutra and agal, while women wear the black abaya and shayla.

Good to know

  • Men wear a long white thobe, often with a ghutra headscarf secured by a black agal
  • Women wear a full-length black abaya and a shayla to cover the hair; some also wear a niqab
  • Men wear a bisht cloak over the thobe on formal occasions like weddings
  • Many Qataris also wear Western clothing, especially in urban areas

Which gestures matter in Qatar?

Hand gestures accompany speech, but as a conservative Islamic society, avoid anything considered rude or offensive.

Do

  • Nod up and down to show agreement
  • Gesture with an open or whole hand

Don’t

  • Don't point with your index finger, as it is considered impolite
  • Avoid touching or patting people of the opposite gender

What is family life like in Qatar?

Family is central to society, with strong ties, respect for elders, and traditionally arranged marriages.

Good to know

  • Extended families often live close by and gather regularly for meals and celebrations
  • Marriages are typically arranged, and weddings are elaborate affairs lasting several days
  • Wedding ceremonies and celebrations are held separately for women and men

What do people do for fun in Qatar?

Popular pastimes include soccer, camel racing, and falconry, alongside traditional children's games.

Good to know

  • Children play games like 'Al Ghomaid' (a blindfold catching game) and 'Umm Al Ial'
  • Families visit Doha's amusement park, Aladdin's Kingdom
  • Traditional sports like camel racing and falconry hold cultural significance

Last updated: 2026-07-12 · Sources: CountryReports

Photos of Qatar

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Travel and Tourism

Travel Alert Status
Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions
Currency
Qatari rial (QAR)
Time Difference
UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Climate
Qatar lies outside the area of the annual monsoons. Its seasons are similar to those of the Temperate Zone, although usually much hotter. The winter months from December through February are cool. Intense heat persists at least from May through September. March, April, October, and November normally provide the most agreeable climatic conditions. Average humidity ranges from 32% during the cooler months to highs of 96% and 100% during late summer and early fall. Rainfall is usually very light and averages less than 3 inches per year, mostly in the winter months. Almost no rain falls from May through October. Frequent high winds, especially from March through August, can fill the air with fine dust and create a brownish haze on the horizon. The prevailing desert wind, known as shemal, comes from the north during the spring and summer months. In late summer, when the shemal dies, the humidity rises. The long summer (June through September) is characterized by intense heat and alternating dryness and humidity, with temperatures exceeding 55° C. Temperatures are moderate from November through May, although winter temperatures may fall to 17° C, which is relatively cool for the latitude. Rainfall is negligible, averaging 100 millimeters per year, confined to the winter months, and falling in brief, sometimes heavy storms that often flood the small ravines and the usually dry wadis. Sudden, violent dust storms occasionally descend on the peninsula, blotting out the sun, causing wind damage, and momentarily disrupting transport and other services. The scarcity of rainfall and the limited underground water, most of which has such a high mineral content that it is unsuitable for drinking or irrigation, restricted the population and the extent of agricultural and industrial development the country could support until desalination projects began. Although water continues to be provided from underground sources, most is obtained by desalination of seawater.
Airports
4
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Recipes

Featured Dish

Burghul Pilaf

Bread

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History

Historical Eras

  1. Ancient & Pre-Islamic

    50000 BCE – 622

    Human habitation of the Qatar Peninsula dates back approximately 50,000 years, with Stone Age coastal encampments and flint-working sites among the earliest evidence. Later finds include Al Ubaid pottery from around 5000 BCE, rock carvings, burial mounds, and a substantial settlement dating to roughly 500 BCE. The peninsula sat along ancient Persian Gulf trade routes connecting Mesopotamia, Arabia, and the Indian subcontinent.

  2. Islamic & Ottoman Era

    622 – 1783

    Following the rise of Islam in the 7th century, the Qatar Peninsula became integrated into the broader Islamic world, passing through periods of Arab tribal control and nominal Ottoman suzerainty from the 16th century onward. The peninsula's small fishing and pearling communities remained largely autonomous in practice, with tribal structures dominating daily life. Portuguese and later Ottoman imperial ambitions in the Gulf touched Qatar only peripherally.

  3. Al Thani Ascendancy

    1783 – 1916

    Arab migrants, including the Al Thani family, established pearling and trading settlements along Qatar's coast from the early 18th century, with the Al Thani consolidating leadership by the mid-1800s. A destructive conflict with Bahrain in 1867 over territorial claims leveled Doha, prompting British diplomatic intervention and formal recognition of Qatar as a distinct political entity. The Ottoman Empire also exercised nominal authority over the peninsula until World War I reshaped regional power.

  4. British Protectorate

    1916 – 1971

    In 1916 Qatar formally became a British protectorate under the Al Thani ruler Sheikh Abdullah, ceding control of foreign affairs to Britain in exchange for protection. The discovery of oil in 1939 transformed the peninsula's economic prospects, though full exploitation was delayed by World War II. When Britain announced its withdrawal from the Gulf in 1968, Qatar opted against joining a federation with neighboring sheikhdoms and declared full independence on September 3, 1971.

  5. Early Independence & Oil Wealth

    1971 – 1995

    Independent Qatar under Amir Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani rapidly modernized its infrastructure using petroleum revenues, transforming from one of the Gulf's poorest states into a nation with advanced services and industries within two decades. The late 1980s brought economic strain as the amir systematically siphoned petroleum revenues, stalling development projects. Qatar contributed troops to the 1991 coalition to liberate Kuwait and permitted Western air forces to operate from Doha, repositioning itself as a pro-Western regional actor.

  6. Modern Qatar

    1995 – present

    In 1995 Amir Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani seized power from his father in a bloodless coup and launched an ambitious program of political and economic reform, including the launch of Al Jazeera in 1996 and Qatar's first written constitution in 2005. Exploitation of the North Field — the world's largest natural gas reservoir — diversified the economy beyond oil and generated extraordinary per capita wealth. Qatar resolved longstanding border disputes with Saudi Arabia and Bahrain in 2001 and has since emerged as a significant diplomatic and cultural force globally.

Overview

 

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Timeline of Key Events

  1. 1700

    Migrants establish pearling and trading settlements along the coast of present-day Qatar.

    Migrants establish pearling and trading settlements along the coast of present-day Qatar.

  2. 1867

    Conflict with neighboring Bahrain over territorial claims; Doha is all but destroyed.

    Conflict with neighboring Bahrain over territorial claims. Doha is all but destroyed.

  3. 1900

    After Iraq invades Kuwait, Qatar says it will allow foreign forces on its soil.

    After Iraq invades Kuwait, Qatar says it will allow foreign forces on its soil. Qatari troops later take part in the liberation of Kuwait.

  4. 1939

    Oil reserves discovered.

    Oil reserves discovered. Exploitation is delayed by World War II, but oil comes to replace pearling and fishing as Qatar’s main source of revenue.

  5. 1968

    Britain announces that it will withdraw its forces from the Gulf.

    Britain announces that it will withdraw its forces from the Gulf. Qatar negotiates with Bahrain and present-day United Arab Emirates on forming a federation.

  6. 1971

    Qatar becomes independent.

    Qatar becomes independent.

  7. 2001

    Qatar settles long-running border disputes with Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.

    Qatar settles long-running border disputes with Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.

View full timeline (12 events)
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Interesting Facts

  • Qatar is the world's least taxed country.

  • Only about 30% of the residents of Qatar are actually citizens of Qatar. The population includes large communities of Indians, Pakistanis and Iranians, and smaller communities of Filipinos, Bangladeshis, Sudanese, Afghans, Sri Lankans and Britons.

  • Qatar is geologically unstable; the land has risen two metres relative to sea level in the past 400 years. Qatar and Bahrain were once joined, but, over the centuries, the two land masses drifted apart.

  • Qatari troops participated in the Persian Gulf War in 1990-91. Doha served as a base for offensive strikes by American and Canadian aircraft against Iraq and the Iraqi forces.

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Geography and Environment

A sovereign Arab State on the western shore of the Arabian Gulf, Qatar occupies a 4,200-square-mile peninsula as well as several small offshore islands. The Qatar Peninsula projects north into the Gulf for about 100 miles and has a maximum width of about 55 miles. The land is mainly flat (the highest point is 103 meters) and rocky.
Terrain
mostly flat and barren desert covered with loose sand and gravel
Climate
Qatar lies outside the area of the annual monsoons. Its seasons are similar to those of the Temperate Zone, although usually much hotter. The winter months from December through February are cool. Intense heat persists at least from May through September. March, April, October, and November normally provide the most agreeable climatic conditions. Average humidity ranges from 32% during the cooler months to highs of 96% and 100% during late summer and early fall. Rainfall is usually very light and averages less than 3 inches per year, mostly in the winter months. Almost no rain falls from May through October. Frequent high winds, especially from March through August, can fill the air with fine dust and create a brownish haze on the horizon. The prevailing desert wind, known as shemal, comes from the north during the spring and summer months. In late summer, when the shemal dies, the humidity rises. The long summer (June through September) is characterized by intense heat and alternating dryness and humidity, with temperatures exceeding 55° C. Temperatures are moderate from November through May, although winter temperatures may fall to 17° C, which is relatively cool for the latitude. Rainfall is negligible, averaging 100 millimeters per year, confined to the winter months, and falling in brief, sometimes heavy storms that often flood the small ravines and the usually dry wadis. Sudden, violent dust storms occasionally descend on the peninsula, blotting out the sun, causing wind damage, and momentarily disrupting transport and other services. The scarcity of rainfall and the limited underground water, most of which has such a high mineral content that it is unsuitable for drinking or irrigation, restricted the population and the extent of agricultural and industrial development the country could support until desalination projects began. Although water continues to be provided from underground sources, most is obtained by desalination of seawater.
Natural Hazards
haze, dust storms, sandstorms common
Current Environmental Issues
limited natural fresh water resources are increasing dependence on large-scale desalination facilities
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People & Demographics

Religion

Languages Spoken

Arabic (official), English commonly used as a second language

  • Arabic

Population

Population
2,981,383
Population in Major Urban Areas
DOHA (capital) 567,000
Nationality Noun
Qatari(s)
Ethnic Groups
Arab 40%, Pakistani 18%, Indian 18%, Iranian 10%, other 14%

Education

Literacy Definition
age 15 and over can read and write

Health Information

Life Expectancy at Birth
Life expectancy at birth in Qatar ranks among the highest in the Arab world and compares favorably with many developed nations globally. As of the most recent available data, the average life expectancy at birth in Qatar is approximately 80 years, with women generally outliving men — women can expect to live to around 81–82 years, while men average closer to 78–79 years. This relatively high life expectancy reflects Qatar's significant investment in its healthcare infrastructure over recent decades. The country has developed a modern, well-funded public health system, with major facilities such as Hamad Medical Corporation serving as the backbone of national healthcare delivery. Access to medical care is heavily subsidized for Qatari nationals, and expatriate residents also benefit from regulated private healthcare services. Qatar's wealth, derived largely from its vast natural gas and petroleum reserves, has enabled per capita healthcare spending that exceeds the regional average by a considerable margin. This financial capacity has translated into lower rates of infant and child mortality, expanded preventive care programs, and greater access to specialist medical treatment. However, the country does face certain public health challenges that place some downward pressure on longevity. Rates of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease are notably elevated in Qatar's population, linked in part to sedentary lifestyles, dietary patterns, and the extreme heat that limits outdoor physical activity for much of the year. The government has responded with national health initiatives aimed at promoting physical fitness and better nutrition habits. Qatar's demographic composition is also worth noting: the population is dominated by a large expatriate labor workforce, which skews overall health statistics. Younger working-age migrants, particularly from South and Southeast Asia, make up the majority of residents, which can influence aggregate life expectancy figures compared to the native Qatari population. Overall, ongoing investment in healthcare quality, disease prevention, and urban infrastructure positions Qatar to maintain or gradually improve its life expectancy figures in the coming decades.

Life Expectancy

Life Expectancy at Birth
Life expectancy at birth in Qatar ranks among the highest in the Arab world and compares favorably with many developed nations globally. As of the most recent available data, the average life expectancy at birth in Qatar is approximately 80 years, with women generally outliving men — women can expect to live to around 81–82 years, while men average closer to 78–79 years. This relatively high life expectancy reflects Qatar's significant investment in its healthcare infrastructure over recent decades. The country has developed a modern, well-funded public health system, with major facilities such as Hamad Medical Corporation serving as the backbone of national healthcare delivery. Access to medical care is heavily subsidized for Qatari nationals, and expatriate residents also benefit from regulated private healthcare services. Qatar's wealth, derived largely from its vast natural gas and petroleum reserves, has enabled per capita healthcare spending that exceeds the regional average by a considerable margin. This financial capacity has translated into lower rates of infant and child mortality, expanded preventive care programs, and greater access to specialist medical treatment. However, the country does face certain public health challenges that place some downward pressure on longevity. Rates of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease are notably elevated in Qatar's population, linked in part to sedentary lifestyles, dietary patterns, and the extreme heat that limits outdoor physical activity for much of the year. The government has responded with national health initiatives aimed at promoting physical fitness and better nutrition habits. Qatar's demographic composition is also worth noting: the population is dominated by a large expatriate labor workforce, which skews overall health statistics. Younger working-age migrants, particularly from South and Southeast Asia, make up the majority of residents, which can influence aggregate life expectancy figures compared to the native Qatari population. Overall, ongoing investment in healthcare quality, disease prevention, and urban infrastructure positions Qatar to maintain or gradually improve its life expectancy figures in the coming decades.
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Government & Politics

Country Identity

Country Name
Qatar
Full Country Name
State of Qatar
Local - Long
Dawlat Qatar
Local - Short
Qatar

Government Structure

Government Type
traditional monarchy
Legal System
discretionary system of law controlled by the amir, although civil codes are being implemented; Islamic law dominates family and personal matters
Executive Branch
chief of state: Amir TAMIM bin Hamad al-Thani (since 25 June 2013, when his father, Amir HAMAD bin Khalifa al-Thani, abdicated in his favor); note - Amir TAMIM also serves as Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces head of government: Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs MUHAMMAD bin Abd al-Rahman bin Jassim al-Thani (since 7 March 2023); Deputy Prime Minister KHALID bin Khalifa bin Abdul Aziz al-Thani served in the role previously (2020–2023) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the Amir elections: none; the monarch is hereditary note: Qatar held elections for its 45-member Advisory Council (Majlis al-Shura) on 2 October 2021, marking the first time citizens directly elected members to the body. The Advisory Council holds legislative powers, including the ability to propose and review legislation, approve the state budget, and question ministers. Previously, all members had been appointed by the Amir. Qatar also continues to hold periodic elections for the 29-member Central Municipal Council (CMC), which exercises consultative powers focused on improving the delivery of municipal services.
Legislative Branch
Unicameral Consultative Council or Majlis al-Shura (45 seats; 30 members directly elected by popular vote and 15 members appointed by the Amir; members serve 4-year terms) Note: Qatar held its first-ever legislative elections in October 2021, marking a historic milestone after decades of delays. The 2005 constitution had long provided for a 45-member Majlis al-Shura with two-thirds of seats to be filled by direct election and the remaining one-third to be appointed by the Amir. Planned elections were repeatedly postponed, and the council continued to operate with fully appointed membership for many years. The October 2021 elections saw Qatari citizens vote for 30 of the 45 council seats for the first time, with the Amir appointing the remaining 15 members, including women and representatives of various constituencies. The council holds legislative authority, approves the state's general budget, and can propose legislation, though executive power remains firmly with the Amir.
Judicial Branch
Court of Appeal note: under a judiciary law issued in 2003, the former two court systems, civil and Islamic law, were merged under a higher court, the Court of Cassation, established for appeals
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Constitution
provisional constitution enacted 19 April 1972; in July 1999 Amir HAMAD issued a decree forming a committee to draft a permanent constitution; in the 29 April 2003 referendum, 96.6% of Qatari voters approved the new constitution
Independence
3 September 1971 (from UK)
National Holiday
Independence Day, 3 September (1971)

Capital City

Capital Name
Doha
Capital - geographic coordinate
25 17 N, 51 32 E
Capital Time Difference
UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

derives from the Arabic term "dohat," meaning "roundness," and refers to the small rounded bays along the area's coastline

Military

Branches: Qatari Emiri Land Force (QELF), Qatari Emiri Navy (QEN), Qatari Emiri Air Force (QEAF)

Embassy / Diplomatic Mission

U.S. Embassy Doha

Al-Luqta District, 22nd February Street, PO Box 2399, Doha

Telephone: (974) 4496-6000, extension 0 or 6600

Emergency after-hours telephone: (974) 4496-6000, extension 0 or 6600,

Facsimile: (974) 4488-4298

E-mail: acsconsulardoha@state.gov

The Embassy observes a Sunday through Thursday workweek. Government offices and most businesses in Qatar also observe a Sunday through Thursday

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Economy

Qatar's economy is heavily dependent on hydrocarbons, with oil and natural gas accounting for roughly 60% of GDP, about 85% of export earnings, and approximately 75% of government revenues.

Snapshot

Currency Name and Code
Qatari Rial (QAR)
GDP — official exchange rate
$28,070,000,000 (USD)
GDP Real Growth Rate
2.6%
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News & Weather

Current Weather

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Latest News

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Climate Overview

Qatar lies outside the area of the annual monsoons. Its seasons are similar to those of the Temperate Zone, although usually much hotter. The winter months from December through February are cool. Intense heat persists at least from May through September. March, April, October, and November normally provide the most agreeable climatic conditions. Average humidity ranges from 32% during the cooler months to highs of 96% and 100% during late summer and early fall. Rainfall is usually very light and averages less than 3 inches per year, mostly in the winter months. Almost no rain falls from May through October. Frequent high winds, especially from March through August, can fill the air with fine dust and create a brownish haze on the horizon. The prevailing desert wind, known as shemal, comes from the north during the spring and summer months. In late summer, when the shemal dies, the humidity rises.

The long summer (June through September) is characterized by intense heat and alternating dryness and humidity, with temperatures exceeding 55° C. Temperatures are moderate from November through May, although winter temperatures may fall to

17° C, which is relatively cool for the latitude. Rainfall is negligible, averaging 100 millimeters per year, confined to the winter months, and falling in brief, sometimes heavy storms that often flood the small ravines and the usually dry wadis.

Sudden, violent dust storms occasionally descend on the peninsula, blotting out the sun, causing wind damage, and momentarily disrupting transport and other services.

The scarcity of rainfall and the limited underground water, most of which has such a high mineral content that it is unsuitable for drinking or irrigation, restricted the population and the extent of agricultural and industrial development the country could support until desalination projects began. Although water continues to be provided from underground sources, most is obtained by desalination of seawater.

Videos

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of Qatar?
The population of Qatar is approximately 3.0M.
How do people greet each other in Qatar?
Men usually shake hands when they meet, but handshakes across genders are avoided unless initiated by the other person, particularly by conservative women. Do: Shake hands with other men, especially in formal or professional settings Wait for a woman to initiate a greeting before offering a handshake Accept qahwa (black, unsweetened coffee) and fresh dates when received as a guest Don't: Don't shake a woman's hand unless she extends hers first Close friends of the same sex may link arms or hold hands while walking Fresh dates are served with qahwa to sweeten the palate between sips
What are the dining customs in Qatar?
Lunch is the biggest meal, eaten after 1 PM, and many people eat without cutlery, scooping food with bread held in the right hand. Do: Use a piece of bread in your right hand to scoop up food Expect a light early breakfast around 6:00 a.m. of olives, cheese, yogurt and coffee Try local dishes like matchbous (spiced lamb with rice) and hareis (slow-cooked wheat and lamb) Dinner is usually light, except during Ramadan and special occasions Save room for desserts like umm Ali, esh asaraya and mehalabiya
What etiquette should visitors know in Qatar?
Hospitality is central to Qatari life, and guests are received in a majlis (reception area), with men and women rarely socializing together. Do: Respect elders by greeting them politely and using formal language Maintain eye contact as a sign of attentiveness and respect Respect personal space, especially with the opposite gender Don't: Don't expect men and women to socialize together; women receive guests separately Avoid prolonged eye contact with members of the opposite gender Guests are traditionally welcomed warmly with food, refreshments and conversation
What should I wear in Qatar?
Traditional dress reflects Islamic values and the desert climate: men wear the thobe with a ghutra and agal, while women wear the black abaya and shayla. Men wear a long white thobe, often with a ghutra headscarf secured by a black agal Women wear a full-length black abaya and a shayla to cover the hair; some also wear a niqab Men wear a bisht cloak over the thobe on formal occasions like weddings Many Qataris also wear Western clothing, especially in urban areas
Which gestures matter in Qatar?
Hand gestures accompany speech, but as a conservative Islamic society, avoid anything considered rude or offensive. Do: Nod up and down to show agreement Gesture with an open or whole hand Don't: Don't point with your index finger, as it is considered impolite Avoid touching or patting people of the opposite gender
What is family life like in Qatar?
Family is central to society, with strong ties, respect for elders, and traditionally arranged marriages. Extended families often live close by and gather regularly for meals and celebrations Marriages are typically arranged, and weddings are elaborate affairs lasting several days Wedding ceremonies and celebrations are held separately for women and men
What do people do for fun in Qatar?
Popular pastimes include soccer, camel racing, and falconry, alongside traditional children's games. Children play games like 'Al Ghomaid' (a blindfold catching game) and 'Umm Al Ial' Families visit Doha's amusement park, Aladdin's Kingdom Traditional sports like camel racing and falconry hold cultural significance
What is the capital of Qatar?
Doha is the capital and largest city of Qatar, situated on the eastern coast of the peninsula along the Persian Gulf. It serves as the political, economic, and cultural heart of the country, housing the seat of government and the majority of the population. Doha has undergone dramatic transformation in recent decades, evolving from a modest fishing and pearling town into a gleaming metropolis of skyscrapers, museums, and international institutions, fueled largely by the country's vast oil and natural gas wealth.
Where is Qatar located?
Qatar is a small peninsula projecting northward into the Persian Gulf from the northeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula, placing it firmly in the Middle East. It is one of the region's smallest sovereign states by land area yet among its most wealthy. The country enjoys a strategic position in the Gulf, with proximity to major shipping lanes that have historically supported trade and, more recently, the export of hydrocarbons to global markets.
What countries border Qatar?
Saudi Arabia is the only country sharing a land border with Qatar, forming the peninsula's southern boundary. Qatar also faces Bahrain across a narrow stretch of the Persian Gulf to the northwest; a longstanding maritime dispute between the two nations was formally resolved in 2001. Interestingly, Qatar and Bahrain were once geologically joined, but the two land masses gradually drifted apart over centuries as the land rose roughly two metres relative to sea level.
What religion is practiced in Qatar?
Islam is the predominant religion in Qatar, practiced by approximately 77% of the population, with Sunni Islam representing the dominant tradition. Christians account for roughly 9% of residents, and the remaining 14% follow other religions or no religion. Qatar's religious makeup reflects its highly diverse expatriate workforce: while Islam is enshrined in the state and legal system, the country permits non-Muslims to practice their faiths privately, and churches and Hindu temples exist to serve the large migrant communities.
What is the currency of Qatar?
The official currency of Qatar is the Qatari Rial, with the ISO code QAR. The rial has been pegged to the US dollar since 1980, providing monetary stability that supports Qatar's role as a major international energy exporter and financial hub. Because Qatar levies no personal income tax and derives the bulk of its state revenues from oil and natural gas, it is widely regarded as one of the world's least-taxed countries, giving the rial a context of unusual fiscal prosperity.
What language is spoken in Qatar?
Arabic is the official language of Qatar and is used in government, law, and formal education. English functions widely as a second language, particularly in business, finance, and higher education, reflecting the country's deep integration into global commerce and its large English-speaking expatriate community. Because only about 30% of Qatar's residents are Qatari nationals, a remarkable variety of other languages — including Hindi, Urdu, Tagalog, and Farsi — can be heard daily across Doha and other urban centers.
What is Qatar known for?
Qatar is known above all for its enormous reserves of natural gas, which have made it one of the world's leading liquefied natural gas exporters and given it one of the highest per capita incomes on the planet. The country gained global attention as the host of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the first such tournament held in the Middle East. Doha's Museum of Islamic Art, the Souq Waqif market, and the striking West Bay skyline draw growing numbers of cultural tourists, while the state-owned broadcaster Al Jazeera has given Qatar an outsized voice in global media.

Last reviewed 2026

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