Qatar is a sovereign Arab emirate located in Western Asia on the Arabian Peninsula. The official and primary language is the local version of Arabic, but many foreigners live in Qatar and speak languages such as French and Nepali. The terrain is mostly sandy plains. Generally, the climate is hot and subtropical, and humidity occurs seasonally. Native animal species include the oryx, Wagner’s gerbil, and the dugong or sea cow. Mainstays of the economy include petroleum and natural gas industries. With no income tax and lucrative income based on oil, Qatar has a high rate of millionaire households (14%), and is one of the richest countries in the world. See the ornate Souq Waqif in Doha for a traditional market experience. You can find a nearby cafe and recline on a divan. Khor Al-Adaid, a salt-water inlet or inland sea in the desert, is surrounded by striking sand dunes.

Bread, rice, and wheat are typical starchy staples in Qatar. Vegetables may include cucumbers, eggplant, zucchini, and okra. Fava beans and chickpeas are frequently eaten, as are olives, nuts, yogurt, and cheese. Lamb is the popular meat, and Qataris excel at preparing seafood such as lobster, crab, shrimp, tuna, kingfish, and red snapper. Ghuzi is a special dish containing a whole roast lamb on a bed of pine-nut rice. Indian, Chinese, and Thai restaurants in the capital of Doha are probably a vegetarian’s best bet. One can also grab a vegan cupcake there! That would go great with coffee, which is basically the national drink.