My recent brief visit to Qatar (June 2024) was the 2nd time I had ventured outside the International Airport in Doha. The last time, in December 2013, was just an overnight stay and I hardly got to see anything. In Dec 2013, Qatar was my 21st Country as an adult (I.e. Not counting the countries I was taken to, as a child).
(1) Since it is a relatively small nation, it is easy to cover a lot of it.
(2) Doha Corniche
What I did not like …
Hmmm … Nothing to mention.
Location in the World map …
Some interesting tidbits about Qatar…
One of the richest countries in the World (Qatar’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita is an unbelievable 140K USD!).
Around half of the population is foreign-born. (Just around 15% of the population are actual Qatari people).
First country in the Middle East to host a FIFA World Cup.
97% Literacy Rate.
Home to people spanning over 100 nationalities.
Al-Thani family has ruled Qatar since 1800s.
Because Qatar is literally Doha (as the other towns are quite small), it is the World’s most “Urbanized” country, with over 90% of the people living in Doha itself.
The relatively new Hamad International Airport regularly wins the “World’s Best Airport” award(s).
Qatar Airways is one of the World’s leading airlines.
One of the rare places in the World where Desert directly meets the Sea!
Men outnumber Women 3:1, mainly because of the large foreign-born workforce.
Largest City: Doha (Population: 2M)
Capital: Doha
Population: 2.7 Million
Language: Arabic
GDP: 238 Billion USD (It is extremely high for such a small country)
The currency of the reigning “Big Dog” of Middle East, Qatar 🙂One of the 9 stadiums made for Football World Cup 2022 … Apparently, other uses are being proposed for most of them.Liked these street lamps a lot … Doha, Qatar.Shipping containers converted to shops and cafes! Nice … Doha, Qatar.Modern Doha Skyline … Beautiful street lamps … Vintage-looking shops and restaurants … What a view! Doha, Qatar.Some beautiful Dhows … Near Doha Corniche.2022 World Cup Countdown Clock, Doha Corniche. Made by Hublot …Doha skyline, Qatar. I was shivering from chill, in the 45C temperature 😬View of the Doha Skyline from the Pearl Island, Doha, Qatar.Crescent Tower, Lusail, Doha.Lusail Stadium! Where Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe did their magic during the 2022 World Cup Final …Mangroves … Towards the east side of the Doha Peninsula. There is a nice elevated walkway through the Mangroves …Mangroves … Towards the east side of the Doha Peninsula. Of course, at that time of the day (Noon!), no one was there 🙂The highways, as expected, were spectacular. Most of them were refurbished before the 2022 World Cup.The highways, as expected, were spectacular. Most of them were refurbished before the 2022 World Cup.Baladna Dairy Center, Qatar. My 1st time seeing a modern diary facility, with the automated milking system Etc. The cows were all very obedient and “experienced” 😁 Also, the pace at which Qatar supposedly became self-sufficient in dairy products was impressive. Where there is will …The various products from the Baladna Dairy Farm … Near Al Khor town, north of Doha, Qatar.The various products from the Baladna Dairy Farm … Near Al Khor town, north of Doha, Qatar.Dates anyone? 😬 Was glad for the very brief shade … It was not that humid, more a dry searing heat.Kite Surfing in Fuwairit Beach … At the North-East corner of the Qatar Peninsula. I was amazed to see people kite-surfing in the searing heat (45C).Al Zubarah Archeological Site, Qatar. Qatar’s 1st UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was 45C today. I take pride in my ability to “handle heat”, but I admit, it was a challenge in the Sun 🙂Pearl trade was a major source of income for Qatar in the old days. These displays depict the highlights (and lowlights) of the Pearl trade.What a nice staircase, inside Al Zubarah Fort.One of the several unique structures in Education City, Doha.The tram in Education City, Doha. Many international universities have campus in Doha, Qatar.Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Center, Doha. One can recognize many of the top Tennis players … ATP season kicks off with Qatar Open, typically. Past winners include Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Stefan Edberg, Boris Becker Etc.Similar to the one from Dec 2013, another night photo of Museum of Islam Art, Doha, Qatar 🙂I first saw Doha Airport (a different one) in Dec 2013 (on the way to Jordan). The new Hamad Airport is a World apart. For e.g. the Concourse C is really long and one can walk for ever. There is also this internal garden area.I first saw Doha Airport (a different one) in Dec 2013 (on the way to Jordan). The new Hamad Airport is a World apart. For e.g. the Concourse C is really long and one can walk for ever. There is also this internal garden area.The magnificient Qatar National Library, Education City, Doha. Unique architecture, with lot of open spaces and seating arrangements.
