Things you didn’t know about Qatar – 14 amazing facts

Qatar is smaller in size as compared to other middle east countries but it surely has a rich culture and history. Qatar has unmatched luxury and decadence, with a variety of exciting adventures and activities.

Before Qatar found out its richness in oil and natural gas, the economy was mainly dependent on the sea. Qatar is home to many beautiful beaches and there are a lot of exciting things you can do here.

However, not everyone knows much about Qatar. Here are some of the most fascinating and amazing facts about Qatar you might not be knowing.

Safest country in the world

A big reason why people move to this country is that Qatar is one of the safest countries in the world with the lowest crime rate. Not only that, according to the World Risk Report, Qatar is a country where a natural calamity is least likely to strike.

Khor Al Adaid (Inland Sea)

Khor Al Adaid, also know as Inland Sea is one of the most fascinating attractions in Qatar. It is a place having sea at one end and desert at the other end. UNESCO listed it as a natural reserve of Qatar. Read more here: https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/5317/

Second flattest country in the world

Qatar is a no-no for visitors who love hiking as there are no mountains high enough for the activity. Its highest point lies at 338 feet.

Qataris are a minority

Qatar is immensely filled with ex-pats. Qataris have become minorities in their own country. In fact, only 12% of the population are Qataris.

People move to this country mainly due to lifestyle, safe environment, and the tax-free salaries.

More than 98% of Qataris live in Doha

98% of the Qataris live in Doha. This is because majority part of the country is a desert and cannot sustain life for a long time. Also, most of the Qataris are tremendously rich, so they can afford to live in the expensive capital city of Doha.

First Middle Eastern nation to host a FIFA World Cup

The countdown for the FIFA World Cup 2022 has begun. This will be the first time a Middle Eastern nation will host the world’s biggest football tournament. Fans are eagerly waiting for the tournament and tickets are now available for sale.

Book your tickets here: https://www.fifa.com/tickets

Also check: Stadiums for FIFA world cup in Qatar

No forests in Qatar

There are no forests in Qatar. This is due to the fact that most of the country is mostly a dessert. However the good part is, you will find sand dunes to ride on 4×4 or take a Buggy ride.

On-arrival visa availability

Residents of more than 80 countries are eligible for visa-free entry to Qatar. They can enjoy a stay of anywhere from 30 to 60 days if they are allowed by the government. This length of days depends entirely on their country of origin.

One of the oldest marketplace – Souq Waqif

Souq Waqif is very old, and when we say very old, we mean nearly a century. At that time, this part of Doha was the shoreline of the Arabian Gulf. The locals travel to Souq Waqif to buy and sell fish, wool and even goats. The water would rise occasionally and flood the markets. At the time of the floods, the sellers would still stay and sell their products while standing. This is why this Souq received the name Souq Waqif.

Before oil, Fishing and Pearls ran the economy

Qatar is the ‘Pearl capital of the world’. This is because, before oil, the fishing industry was the main source of the economy. Qataris are masters of the sea, and you can find beautiful Pearls here to take home with you.

Men outnumber women

This may sound absurd, but for every woman, there are 3 men in Qatar. This is true, men outnumber women in this Middle Eastern nation and the reason is pretty logical. Qatar is a country mainly inhabited by immigrants, who came here to build a life for themselves. Many of them are young and male.

A rich variety of cuisines

Food plays a very important role in the Middle Eastern culture and Qatar is no different in this context. Doha in particular is a heaven for food lovers. People from all over the world move into this country, and they don’t forget to bring their recipes with them. Qatar has a large variety of restaurants and mostly every restaurant has different cuisines to try out.

Vast variety of museums

Museums in Qatar offer a sweeping array of arts and culture experiences, from traditional islamic craft and historical objects to modern and contemporary art.

All the museums are built with perfection and resemble striking pieces of art. There are a lot of museums in Qatar, but the best of them all is the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha.

Cheap prices of petrol

Visitors might be surprised to find out that the price of petrol is very cheap in the country and among the lowest in the world. This is due to the fact that the country has large oil and gas reserves. So visitors can book cars for their tours without burning a hole in their pocket.

No alcohol without a license

Qatar has only one liquor shop and that is Government-owned. If residents want to buy alcohol, they need to have approval and a license from the company they are employed in.

Every person needs a letter from his company sponsor as he needs to declare how much he earns. This is because only a limited percentage of their salary can go to purchasing alcohol and only a limited amount of liquor is made available to each resident.

Also, it is a crime to share liquor with a person who does not have a license to buy one.


Hope you enjoyed our article on most fascinating and amazing facts about Qatar. What are your thoughts on this. Let us know in the comments below.

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