29 Interesting Facts About Qatar
With these 29 fascinating facts about Qatar, you will learn about the peaceful state of Qatar, which lies in the Arabian Gulf. Travelers who visit the sovereign country gain great insight into the Arab World. Read a Qatar travel guide to learn much about tourist attractions in this tiny state with huge ambitions. Middle East Tourism and travel news tells us much about the Arab state in the Persian Gulf.
Facts about Qatar Economy
1. Qatar is the leading producer of LNG – liquefied natural gas. The Arab country produces around eleven billion cubic feet of LNG every day. Qatar also produces 283 barrels of crude oil every day
2. The state of Qatar recently spent an incredible $30 billion dollars on new infrastructure. Leading transport projects included Ashghal’s Expressway and the New Port Project. Leading property projects included the Msheireb development and the Lusail City project.
3. Qatar State has experienced significant economic growth. Continuing economic growth has helped to make Qatar one of the world’s richest nations.
4. The Hamad International Airport was opened in 2014. Around fifty million passengers pass through the airport each year.
5. The Hamad International Airport is the ninth biggest in the world. It is thought that Qatar Airways once paid $16 billion dollars for eighty Airbus A350 jets.
6. Revenue generated from oil and natural gas reserves makes Qatar residents the second-highest earners in the world. There are numerous banks in the state including commercial banks, foreign banks and the Qatar Central Bank.
Facts about Qatar Sports
7. Qatar will host the next FIFA World Cup to be staged in 2022. Qataris also enjoy many sports including handball, drag racing, golf, powerboat racing, futsal, basketball, camel racing, water sports, swimming and cricket.
8. The opening trip of the World Motocross championship was held in Qatar in February 2015. The off-road motorcycle race was run during the night owing to the extreme daytime heat.
9. The Qatari National Football League are Middle East Champions. The Qatar Stars League was founded in 1963 and consists of fourteen teams.
10. Amateur pearl divers still swim the Inland Sea off the shore of Qatar in search of Pearl Oysters. Many Qatari people once earned their living diving for pearl oysters.
11. The Aspire Zone sports academy was built on 240 hectares of land. The sporting paradise is home to medical facilities, a mosque, parkland, a retail area, an International sports Stadium, a sports club and a sports education class.
Facts about Qatar Food
12. Qataris eat their main meal of the day at lunchtime. Karak tea is served after meals; the rich milky tea is laced with Cardamom. The Friday midday meal, after prayers, is usually a time for the whole family to get together.
13. Many Qataris enjoy sweet foods. In Qatar it is traditional to eat a large spoonful of honey at night and in the morning. The people of Qatar relish fresh dates and picanuts.
14. Traditional Qatari food is influenced by Indian and Iranian cuisine. Qatari speciality dishes include Ghuzi, Motabel, Biriani, Taboulleh and Hummus.
15. Machbous is an important traditional dish. The rich stew consists of meat and rice or seafood and rice.
16. Many Qataris do not use cutlery. The meal is served in a large dish and the diners use bread to scoop-up their food.