Qatar’s eye-popping transformation in just a few decades!
Qatar mostly remained unknown to the world before 1970, when it was still under the rule of UK.
Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani’s first cousin Sheikh Ahmad bin Ali Al Thani’s reign was considered a turning point in the country’s history, after it gained independence in 1971.
It was around this time when Qatar shot to fame after it acquired vast wealth due to the discovery of untapped oil fields in the region.
Qatar’s story from rags to riches became a reality under Shaikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani as he made good use of his country’s gas resources.
Under this progressive leader, the country remained peaceful. Sheikh Hamad did not rely completely on income from gas and oil.
By 2013, Qatar had invested over $100bn around the world, most prominently in The Shard, Barclays Bank, Heathrow Airport, Harrods, Paris Saint-Germain FC, Volkswagen, Siemens and Royal Dutch Shell.
One of the state’s most successful business ventures he developed is the first pan-Arab satellite news channel, Al Jazeera.
The channel, which broadcasts in English as well as Arabic, is considered among the world’s most respected media organisations.
The small Arabian Peninsula has the highest per capita income in the world, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Qatar’s natural gas production reached 77m tonnes in 2010, making it the richest country in the world per capita with the average income being $86,440 a year per person.
Courtesy: gdnonline.com
The Qatar National Museum in the 1970s
The Museum of Islamic Art, present day.
A roadside shopping area of the 1970s
The plush shops at the Pearl Qatar, present day.
An American Plymouth car lies abandoned in the desert land which presently hosts the Aspire Zone.
The Aspire Zone today.
The Doha Corniche, 1970s.
Doha Corniche, present day!
The Doha Sheraton, when it was being built in the early 1970s
The Doha Sheraton, present day.
Doha's famous Souq Waqif, early 1970s.
Souq Waqif, modern day.
Brit yes the quaint sleepy town magic has been lost.... And its a huge loss...
Ornie: The aspire zone can have and do whatever it wants... Ships and sea one day and planes and airports the next and camels and deserts the one after... Jokes aside, good catch, it does look like the car is on the corniche not aspire... The cars were crashing even in the 70s haha... Good scene...
Agreed
It's not enough to build structures. You have to fill them with life, otherwise they are just objects of vanity.
How can Aspire Zone have the sea and ships in the background?
Qatar has been transformed from a sleepy town to a bustling city.
Hats of to the leaders for having the foresight and the determination to push this through..
I do sometimes feel that in striving to build skyscrapers and towers, some of the old magic and heritage has een lost ..
Amazing transformation. Hail discovery of gas.
Taita, I thanks you on behalf of Muad & Myself ....................
But people like WT are not happy yet ..............
Am I dreaming ................. !!
We achieved it with great hard work & dedication ..........
Long Live Qatar .............. !
Amazing foresight and amazing development - joys to the people