Did you know these things about Qatar?

Qatar is a prosperous country that has undergone many changes since its inception. Here are some facts that have made Qatar what it is today.

1.      Qatar has been governed by the Thani clan for more than 300 years.

2.      Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammad Al Thani, better known as “the founder of the State of Qatar” was a brave and valiant knight and leader who fought many battles to preserve the sanctity of Qatar.

3.      Qatar was not always the rich country you know today.

4.      Under Sheikh Jassim’s patronage, Qatar flourished and its strategic location in the Arabian Peninsula opened up doors to trade and business opportunities.

5.      Qatar’s oil reserves were discovered in 1939.

6.      Qatar was the first Arab country to host the Asian Games 2005.

7.      Qatar’s name goes back 2,000 years; although the origins of the name are not known, a map Ptolemy made in the 2nd century AD showed a ‘Catara’ peninsula.

8.      Qatar’s flag has nine white points that depict that Qatar was the 9th member of ‘reconciled emirates’ after the Qatar-Great Britain 1916 treaty; the white color stands for peace and for the maroon color stands for the blood that was shed during wars it fought.

9.      Qatar is one of the safest places to live.

Photo credit: Sanjiban Ghosh

Sources: BBC News http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-14702609

Central Intelligence Agency: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/qa.html