From Desert Sands to Oil Billions – 10 Unexpected Facts About Qatar

With its thriving economy, rich cultural heritage, and strategic location on the Arabian Peninsula, Qatar is a fascinating destination that attracts visitors from all around the world. This small but powerful nation has experienced remarkable growth and development over the past few decades, becoming a hub for business, tourism, and cultural exchange in the Middle East.

Let’s dive deeper into everything Qatar has to offer — from its modern skyscrapers to its historic landmarks and its strong tradition of hospitality. Here are ten facts you may not have known about this small nation!

1 Qatar is the second flattest country in the world…

This might sound a bit odd at first, so let’s explain what it actually means. You’ve probably heard from someone who has visited Qatar that the country is very flat — but perhaps not how flat. Qatar is, in fact, the second flattest nation on Earth, with its highest point reaching only 103 meters above sea level.

The only country flatter than Qatar is the Maldives, whose highest point stands at an astonishingly low 1.83 meters above sea level. [source]

2 Khor Al Adaid is one of the few places in the world where the sea meets the desert…

Desert sand dunes are always breathtaking, but Khor Al Adaid, also known as the Inland Sea, is something truly special. The area, declared a nature reserve in 2007, is one of the few places on Earth where the sea directly meets the desert.

In fact, Qatar is actively working to have the site inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. An image of this unique location can be found below. [source]

3 One of the least criminal countries in the world…

According to the latest Crime Index from Numbeo, Qatar has the second-lowest crime rate in the world, scoring 14.03 out of 100, just behind the United Arab Emirates at 11.72. And this isn’t the only time Qatar has been recognized as one of the safest destinations globally — it was also named the safest country in the world in both 2017 and 2019. [source]

4 Here you’ll also find the longest continuous cycling path in the world…

The Olympic Cycling Track in Doha holds the Guinness World Record for the longest continuous cycling path, stretching 33 kilometers. The track was created by Ashghal, Qatar’s Public Works Authority, and was completed in 2020. It passes through 18 underpasses to ensure seamless, uninterrupted movement.

The track also holds the record for the longest piece of asphalt concrete laid continuously, measuring 25.3 kilometers. An image of the cycling path in Doha can be found below. [source]

5 There are about three times more men than women in the country…

According to the most recent census data from December 2020, there are significantly more men than women living in Qatar’s capital, Doha. The ratio is roughly three to one, with only about 811,600 women in a total population of 2,846,118.

In fact, Qatar has the highest male-to-female ratio in the world, compared to the global average of 1.02. The United Arab Emirates and Bahrain also have high ratios, at 2.56 and 1.53, respectively. [source]

6 Only 12–15% of the country’s population is native…

The native population of Qatar, known as Qataris, makes up only a small portion of the country’s total population. Approximately 12–15% of the people living in Qatar are native citizens, while the vast majority are expatriates or foreign workers. [source]

7 Robots are widely used in camel racing…

Yes, you read that right — robots are used in camel racing, one of the country’s most popular sports, with races held at the Al Shahaniya Camel Racing Track between October and February each year. Originally, children were used as jockeys, but robots have been employed instead since 2007 for health and safety reasons. The robots are remotely controlled by camel handlers, who often drive alongside the track during the race. [source]

8 From pearl diving to oil…

Pearl diving was a cornerstone of Qatar’s economy for thousands of years and is celebrated as an important part of the nation’s cultural heritage. Everything changed in the 1920s when Japan began exporting cultured pearls, flooding the market. Like many countries in the Gulf region, Qatar shifted its focus to oil, drilling its first well in 1939 and exporting crude oil by 1949. Additional fields were discovered in 1960 and 1970.

Today, oil is a major pillar of Qatar’s economy, and the country is even home to the world’s longest drilled oil well, measuring approximately 12,280 meters. [source]

9 Qatar is one of the richest countries in the world…

When you look at the glittering skyscrapers and the incredibly ambitious developments like The Pearl-Qatar and Lusail, it should come as no surprise that the country is one of the richest countries on the planet. According to the International Monetary Fund’s 2020 estimates, the nation’s GDP per capita reached an astonishing $138,910, far surpassing Luxembourg’s $112,045 in second place.

Unsurprisingly, much of this wealth comes from petroleum and natural gas, which account for more than 60% of the country’s GDP. These rankings fluctuate from year to year, and countries often shift position on the global wealth list — but Qatar consistently remains within the top ten richest countries worldwide. [source]

10 Behind the country’s flag lies a rich history and meaning…

You can see Qatar’s flag almost everywhere in its capital, Doha — but have you ever stopped to think about what it actually represents?

First, the nine serrated edges symbolize Qatar’s inclusion as the ninth member of the “Reconciled Emirates” in the Persian Gulf under a treaty with the British in 1916. The color, officially defined as Pantone 1955 C, or simply “Qatar maroon“, is a nod to the country’s historical role in the purple dye industry on Al Khor Island.

The flag is also completely unique: it is the only national flag in the world with a width more than twice its height. [source]

Xtra The first school opened in 1949, and the first hospital in 1947…

While there had been centers of learning long before the 20th century, Qatar’s first formal school was established in Doha in 1949, under the name Islah al-Mohammadiyeh. It initially had one teacher and 50 students, but expanded quickly.

The first hospital in the country was opened by the American Mission in 1947, but the first state-run hospital, Al Rumailah, opened in 1957 and is still in operation today. It has undergone extensive renovations since its founding, yet it remains Doha’s oldest surviving hospital. [source]