Africa-Press – Angola. Qatar, stage of the 5th United Nations Conference on Least Developed Countries, is a country that exudes, in the eyes of those who visit it, unique characteristics such as curiosities, contrasts, along with its appetizing wealth, everything “tidy” in about 11 thousand square kilometers.
Whoever sets out to narrate about this emirate in southwest Asia, on the so-called Arabian Peninsula, it is sacramental not to omit its physical geography, economy, politics, history, demography, among other factors that make it the thriving country it is today.
Although Arabic is the official language, the majority of the population, largely dominated by immigrants, speaks English, a demographic phenomenon that can also help to understand why, being Islam the main religion, it faces the “competition” of Hinduism, Buddhism and Christianity.
Polygamy is accepted. A man can marry more than one woman.
Between 75% and 80% of the population is from other countries, especially India, Pakistan and Bangladesh.
The capital Doha comprises more than half of the country’s population, with 90% of the approximately 2.5 million inhabitants living in urban areas, hence the Urban Development Index, one of the highest on the planet.
Despite everything, Doha keeps the native traditions of the Islamic religion alive, as evidenced by the Souq Wakif tourist attractions (a popular popular market) and the Museum of Islamic Art, opened in 2008. It houses the largest collection of Islamic art in the world.
In contrast, the so-called “Modern Doha” with skyscrapers and glittering shopping malls is found in the West Bay region.
For its part, Al Zubarah, founded in the 18th century, is one of the cities in Qatar famous for the pearl trade. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2013.
Al Udayd, also known as the Inland Sea, is said to be famous for being one of the only places in the world where the sea penetrates the desert.
Qatar is one of the flattest countries in the world. The highest elevation is almost 30 meters. Water for consumption comes from the sea, requiring the desalination method.
Qatari cuisine stands out for its rich blend of spices.
Economic Strength
The division of the Gross Domestic Product by the number of inhabitants (GDP per capita) of Qatar, since the middle of the 19th century governed by the Al-Thani family, is among the highest in the world, according to IMF data.
There is information that until it started exploring for oil (one of its calling cards) in 1950, the Qatari economy was based on fishing and the pearl trade. The latter gave rise to the artificial island The Pearl (A Pérola), built in a place where divers looked for pearls.
However, it was oil that took the emirate to the top levels of the global economy, namely the export of this commodity and its derivatives.
Doomed to fly high, the country decided to abandon the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) a few years ago, after “activism” for about six decades, changing its focus to the production of natural gas.
Data indicate that Qatar is the largest exporter of liquefied natural gas in the world.
It is said that the country is benefiting from the fact that gas from the Middle East is becoming more coveted, due to the energy crisis that is hitting Europe, after the reduction in Russian supplies, in the context of the war in Ukraine.
In another quadrant, according to wikipedia, Qatar has signed defense pacts with France, in 1994, with the US, in 2002 and 2013, and, more recently, with the United Kingdom.
According to the same source, the emirate plays an active role in the collective defense efforts of the Gulf Cooperation Council side-by-side with Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Oman.
sports field
Qatar won a long taboo by holding, for the first time, in a conservative country and with the typical strict laws of the Middle East, a World Cup, in soccer “Mundial 2022, between November and December, won by Argentina.
In addition to this “top box” it hosted the Asian Games in 2006, the Handball World Cup in 2015, and the Athletics World Cup in 2019, as well as hosting Formula-1 circuits.
The range of curiosities also includes camel racing, considered one of the most famous sports in Qatar. The main ones take place in March and April.
Other country data
Qatar achieved independence in 1971, is located in the northeast of the Arabian Peninsula, borders Saudi Arabia and borders the Persian Gulf.
The story is linked to the Ottoman Empire.
The government has been linked to the Al Thani family for 150 years (Monarchy).
It was after World War I and the Arab Revolt that Ottoman rule came to an end. Qatar then became a British protectorate from 1916.
Between May and September, the average temperature approaches 38 degrees centigrade.
In winter, from December to February, the average is 20 degrees with some rain.
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