Qatar: Tiny Arab Emirate and Oil Rich Country
Qatar was ruled by Bahraini sheikhs till 1871 when they were overthrown by the Qatari people and later on the British installed the al-Thani family in charge of Qatar’s affairs who have continued to lord over Qatar till today. Qatar was previously an impoverished Arab state and a pearl fishing village but the discovery of large reserves of oil in the 1940’s changed its fortunes and today the country is one of the leading oil producers and has 15% of the global proved gas reserves. This oil wealth has bestowed a highly affluent lifestyle upon the Qatari people. Emir Hamid bin Khalifa also introduced certain liberal reforms like press freedom, voting rights for women and framing a new constitution in 2005 that ushered in democratic parliamentary government in Qatar. The country has a liberal press and the Al-Jazeera channel is one of the leading media houses in all of Arab world.
Qatar Facts and Figures
Qatari people have to experience a long and intensely hot summer that lasts from May to September with temperatures exceeding 55°C while winters are mild with temperatures touching 17°C. Water is scarce and rainfall is minimal although sudden cloud bursts may take place sometimes.
Qatar Culture and Tradition:
Qatari culture bears a close resemblance to other cultures in the region. Qatar’s governance is explicitly based on Sunni law with the majority of its population followers of Hanbali Madhhab, one of the four Sunni schools prevalent in Qatar. Shia’s comprise 10% of the population, but owing to large-scale immigration comprising of foreign professionals and labourers, foreigners have outnumbered the local Qatari population.
Qatari Economy:
Prior to the discovery of its vast oil reserves in the 1940’s Qatar was a largely agrarian country dependent on fishing and pearling. Today Qatari people enjoy one of the highest per capita incomes in the world fuelled by its vast energy resources. Nearly 85% of Qatar’s exports are oil based and the country has recently taken steps to widen its economic based and set up a Qatar Science and Technology Park and Qatar Financial Centre in Doha apart from other measures.
Qatar Tourist Attractions:
Like all Arab countries Qatar offers its own brand of fun that consists of sun and sand. You can go four wheeling i.e. drive on the golden sandy deserts or prefer camel rides in the majestic deserts. Local shops called ‘souks’ are a great place to shop till you drop. The Doha City Center Mall offers great shopping experience and is one of the biggest malls in the Middle East.
Other Qatari Places to See include:
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