QATAR Qatar is a peninsular Arab country whose terrain comprises arid desert and a long Persian (Arab) Gulf shoreline of beaches and dunes. Also on the coast is the capital, Doha, known for its futuristic skyscrapers and other ultramodern architecture inspired by ancient Islamic design, such as the limestone Museum of Islamic Art. The museum sits on the city’s Corniche waterfront promenade.
Sitting on a peninsula that juts out into the Persian Gulf, little Qatar covers a small amount of territory but contains big reserves of natural gas and oil, boosting the per capita income to levels greater than in many highly industrialized Western countries. Ideal for travelers interested in taking a trip back in time, a vacation in Qatar also allows explorers to discover modern cities boasting outstanding museums, a lively arts scene, and an eclectic culinary heritage. In a country that embraces the future without forgetting its past, it's still possible to spend time learning about the centuries-old art of falconry or ride off into the sunset on the back of a docile camel.