Population: 2.63 Million (approximately 88% of this is made up of non-Qataris)
Capital: Doha
Official Language: Arabic (English commonly used as a second language)
Major Religion: Islam
Currency: Qatari Riyals
Qatar has plenty to offer in terms of lifestyle as well as career opportunities. From natural attractions such as the inland sea (Khor al-Adaid) and its surrounding desert to cultural and historical heritage sites in and around the capital Doha, including the Qatar National Museum, the historic fishing port, the old markets, and Doha’s beautiful waterfront Corniche.
The Qatar Open, is a professional tennis tournament played on outdoor hard courts. It is currently part of the ATP World Tour 250 series of the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) World Tour. It is held annually in January at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex in Doha, Qatar, since 1993.
Qatar was also selected to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup, and will be the first country in the Middle East to host this tournament.
There is a plethora of shopping options in Doha, from traditional souks (markets) to modern air-conditioned malls.
Qatar is also home to Education City, an initiative of the Qatar Foundation, which is based on the outskirts of Doha and covers a vast area of 14 square kilometres - housing educational facilities from school age to research level and branch campuses of some of the world's leading universities, including Weill Cornell Medical Campus, Georgetown, Carnegie Mellon and UCL.
Our top tips:
Spend a couple of hours, an afternoon or a full day admiring the striking architecture and interiors and the fascinating exhibits at the Doha Museum of Islamic Art. There is also a nice restaurant, a gift shop stocked with lovely and unusual things and then outside fountains and a fabulous vista across the bay to the modern Doha skyline. A beautiful cool place to while away a hot day in Doha.
In the evening grab an outside table with friends at Souk Waqif, enjoying Middle Eastern Mezze (Lamb & Hummus, Fattoush Salad, Kibbeh and Fattayeh are some of my favourites) and Lemon & Fresh Mint juice while people watching at this busy old town hang out in Doha.