From Qatar’s history, society, geography and multicultural population, it’s one of the most fascinating countries on earth.
If it’s been ten days or ten years, there’s always something new to learn about the peninsula state.
And now to celebrate the wonderful country we call home, we’ve rounded up 30 brilliant facts about Qatar — and we guarantee you won’t know all of them.
Facts about Qatar: Geography and travel
1. Qatar is the second flattest country in the world
You’ve probably noticed by now that the country is pretty flat, but you probably didn’t realise just how flat it is. In fact, it’s the second flattest country in the world, with its highest point lying at just 338 ft.
Only the Maldives is flatter, with a high point of six feet. It’s good news for cyclists and runners, bad news for hikers.
But if you’re looking for the rocky parts, take a day trip to the Zekreet rock formations in the north west of the country.
2. But maybe not for long: Qatar is 2 meters higher than it was 400 years ago
While it might not seem like much, over the past four centuries Qatar has slowly been rising due to geological uplift.
3. Hamad International Airport is the second-best airport in the world
Here in Qatar, we’re a pretty competitive bunch. Which is why we’re happy to be home to the second-best airport in the world, according to the AirHelp Awards. Oh, and it’s also among the ten busiest airports in the world.
If you’ve travelled through HIA, you’ll know why it’s so highly rated, from the fantastic public art to the smooth journeys. It’s also home to the longest runway in western Asia, at 15,912 ft, and sixth longest in the world.
Check out the award-winning garden oasis at HIA the next time you’re travelling. (Credit: Hamad International Airport).4. The inhabitants of Al Khor Island were the first to produce purple shellfish dye
Al Khor Island is one of the most stunning spots to visit in Qatar, thanks to its huge mangrove forest that you can kayak around.
But have you ever wondered why everyone called this Purple Island?
Archaeologists have uncovered items dating back to the second millennium BC, and the area was the first in the world to produce purple shellfish dye, which is why it’s also known as Purple Island.
5. Qatar Airways has been named the best airline in the world
We did tell you that Qatar is pretty competitive, and national carrier Qatar Airways was named the airline of the year at the 2025 Skytrax awards, becoming the first airline ever to take home the prestigious gong nine times.
Qatar Airways is also one of a select few airlines that flies to all seven continents, and at one point, it had the longest regularly scheduled flight in the world between Doha and Auckland, at 16 hours and 30 minutes.
6. Khor Al Adaid is one of the only places in the world where the sea meets desert
The sand dunes of the desert are always breath-taking, but Khor Al Adaid, or more well-known as the Inland Sea, is extra special. This area was declared a nature reserve in 2007, and is one of the few places in the world where the sea meets the desert.
It was also ranked among the 100 top beaches globally by the Golden Beach Award 2024.
7. Qatar has a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Al Zubarah Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, needs to be on your must-visit list (Credit: Shutterstock)One of many other facts about Qatar, it’s been attempting to get the area named a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which it only got in 2023: Al Zubarah Fort.
You might also like: Stunning Olafur Eliasson installation unveiled in Al Zubarah desert
It is one of the country’s best preserved example of an 18th to 19th century pearl merchant town, located about 80km northwest of Doha.
8. Qatar has a coastline of 563 kilometres
Qatar is a peninsula, which means it is surrounded by water on most of its sides, giving it a long coastline with a length of 563 km. You can’t have a running list of facts about Qatar without mentioning its gorgeous coastline.
And by 2030, 7 kilometres of pristine shoreline on Qatar’s eastern coast will be transformed into the ultimate destination with a theme park, new hotels, a luxury golf course and more.
9. Doha previously held a world record for longest continuous cycle path in the world
The Olympic Cycling Track in Doha held a Guinness World Record for being the longest continuous cycle path in the world, which is 33 kilometres long. Created by Ashghal, the public works authority in Qatar, the track was completed in 2020. It runs through 18 underpasses to ensure uninterrupted movement.
The track also holds the record for the longest piece of asphalt concrete laid continuously, with a length of 25.3 kilometres.
Al Qudra lane in Dubai has since surpassed the previous world record by a whopping 80.6km. Hey, Doha did hold onto it for a while, though.
Facts about Qatar: Humans and animals
10. Qatar is among the safest country in the world
There are dozens of reasons to love Qatar, from the amazing museums and art galleries to the fantastic beaches and parks. But a major reason people move to this glorious country is the fact that it’s among the safest in the world.
According to the Numbeo’s safety index, Qatar is the safest country in the MENA region and has among the lowest crime rates in the world. And it’s also ranking the third safest in the world.
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