Largest Cities in Qatar

Facts about Qatar

Official languages: Arabic, Spanish
Capital: Doha
Area: 11,437 km²
Population: 840,926 residents
Population density: 73.53 residents per km²
Currency: QAR
Internet TLD: .qa
ISO codes: QA, QAT, 634
The telephone code for Qatar is +974

Flag of Qatar

The Qatari flag was adopted in 1981, when Qatar became an independent state. The maroon color in the right part of the flag is meant to evoke the sunrays of the harsh Qatari sun falling on the red fabric, or perhaps the natural dye often used here, which has a similar color. The maroon stripe is separated from the left white stripe by nine teeth. The flag was originally all red and the white stripe was adopted as a sign that the country was no longer pirated. At first glance, it is often confused with the flag of Bahrain, but a closer look reveals several differences. The red of the Bahraini flag is lighter, it has only five teeth instead of nine, and the aspect ratio is also completely different.

Qatar is a state in the Persian Gulf. For centuries, the pearl trade formed the basis for economic success. In 1938 oil was discovered and there was a real oil boom. Throngs of migrant workers were pouring into the country, causing the population to grow and the number of foreigners in the country to outnumber the locals. With the nationalization of the oil companies in 1972, Qatar became the first oil producing country in the Gulf to dispose of 100 percent of its reserves. After Russia and Iran, Qatar has the third largest natural gas reserve in the world, with 1/12 of the world’s gas reserves.

Qatar has been the headquarters of US troops in the Middle East since 1998 and was also the command center in the US war against Iraq in March 2003.

Qatar has developed into the news center of the Arab world. The controversial Arab news channel Al Jazeera, founded in April 1996, is based in Qatar. With Arabsat – a network of communication satellites of the Arab League – a modern transmission medium is also available, which broadcasts the station’s news and information throughout the Arab world.In 1995, Emir Al Thani introduced freedom of the press, but there is massive censorship, especially in publications that are critical of the system.

In 2008 Qatar launched a medium-term development program for an efficient infrastructure under the motto “Qatar National Vision 2030”. With an estimated cost of 50 billion US dollars, the desert state is to be developed into one of the most modern in the world. In 2022, Qatar will host the World Cup.

Tourism in Qatar is only just developing. However, there are a sufficient number of international hotels of different standards and price ranges in the capital Doha. Outside the offer is minimal. There are no particular restrictions on travel within Qatar. However, the Federal Foreign Office recommends that travelers, in view of the ongoing tensions and events in some countries in the Near and Middle East, appear cautious in public and show consideration for the religious, cultural and social traditions of Qatar in their behavior as well as any demonstrations or protest events.

Biggest Cities of Qatar by Population

Qatar is a small but wealthy Arab country located in the Persian Gulf. It is home to two of the largest cities in the region, Doha and Al Khor. Doha is the capital and most populous city in Qatar, with a population of around 2.6 million people as of 2020. It is a modern city that has been experiencing rapid growth over the past few decades due to its booming economy and large oil reserves. Doha is known for its vibrant nightlife, shopping districts, museums, and cultural attractions such as Souq Waqif – an open-air marketplace with traditional shops selling spices, handicrafts, and other goods. The city also hosts several world-class sporting events such as the 2022 FIFA World Cup and 2019 IAAF World Athletics Championships.

Al Khor is located on Qatar’s northeast coast and has a population of around 112,000 people as of 2020. It was once an important trading port for merchants from around the world but now serves mostly as a residential area for expatriates living in Qatar. Al Khor’s beaches are popular among locals and tourists alike who come to relax or take part in water sports activities such as jet skiing or parasailing. The city also hosts several festivals throughout the year including Al Khor Corniche Festival which celebrates Qatari culture with food stalls, live entertainment, fireworks displays and more!

Qatar: Doha

The capital of Qatar is called Doha, which means something like “bay”. It is located directly on the Arabian (Persian) Gulf and, in addition to a large airport and important educational institutions, is home to locations for the country’s fish and oil industry. As the tourist center of Qatar, Doha also has a lot to offer visitors from all over the world, for example the National Museum or the Museum of Islamic Art. Construction is going on in Doha, with hotels, apartment blocks and large shopping centers being built. At the same time, the capital of Qatar is to develop into an education and leisure center in order to find alternatives for the state income through the sale of oil. This means that Doha is also competing with Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Countries neighboring Qatar

• Saudi Arabia