Top 05 Things Qatar Is Famous For – Discover what Qatar is most famous for

Over 90% of Qatar's population calls Doha home and today comprises approximately 2.5 million people. Over the past couple of decades, this now futuristic city has witnessed astounding growth and seen its population grow from less than a mere 500, 000. Today, Doha is famed for its soaring skyscrapers, libraries, and museums and many a luxury hotel in Doha including those such as Banana Island Resort Doha by Anantara.

Regarded as one of the most famous attractions in Doha, Qatar for residents and visiting tourists alike is the beautiful Museum of Islamic Art. Here one can take in an extensive series of exhibitions and artefacts showcasing over 1,400 years of Islamic history. Located right next to the city's beautiful waterfront, visitors can also drink in truly mesmerising vistas of Doha's ever-growing skyline. To truly immerse yourself in some old-word charm of the Middle East why not consider taking a trip on a traditional wooden boat of the region known as the Dhow, after finishing up your rounds of exploration around the museum?

For centuries, the pearls served as the backbone of Qatar's economy until cheaper pearls from Japan entered the market and gradually overtook the country's pearl industry. Nevertheless, Qatar remains famed for the high quality of pearls it produces in addition to its long history as a centre for the production and trading of pearls. The famed pearl carpet of Baroda– a gift for the tomb of the Prophet Mohammed is thought to have been made up of millions of pearls harvested from the waters surrounding the country.

Keen to experience the now-receding old-world charm of Qatar? Make your way to the magical open-air market known as Souq Waqif located in the heart of Doha. The atmosphere at the Souq Waqif takes on a magical air as dusk rolls in and the unbearable heat of the day cools considerably. It's a lovely space filled with character and culture and is a definite must-visit. The market and cultural space is home to many a restaurant, shisha bars and perfumeries and charming shops and stalls where one can purchase aromatic spices, souvenirs, traditional Middle-Easter clothing and much more.

A quintessential aspect of Qatar's rich cultural heritage - falconry has seen the nomadic Bedouin people of the country train wild flacons to assist them with their hunting. So much so that falconry was noted on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity List for the Middle Eastern region. Today the practice still continues as a hobby for many locals. To learn more about falconry, make your way down to a Falcon Souq in Souq Waif!