Plan your trip to Doha, Qatar

Qatar, situated on a peninsula in the Persian Gulf and bordered by Saudi Arabia in the south, is a flat, desert land that today boasts the highest per capita income in the world. Formerly a poor British protectorate, the discovery and exploitation of large oil and natural gas resources since the 1940s has enriched the country and led it to become one of the fastest growing in the world. The Al-Thani family has been recognized as rulers for almost 150 years, current Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifah al-Thani seizing power in 1995 from his father in a bloodless coup. The country is also home to the news channel government owned Al-Jazeera, known worldwide for coverage of the Arab world.

Oil revenue has led to an abundance of luxury hotels, resorts and other construction, particularly in the capital of Doha. Many shopping malls, including the Villaggio, designed to look like Venice, canals and all, await the shopper. For travelers seeking more adventure, many tour companies offer desert safari trips throughout the country (many in air conditioned vehicles, if a more comfortable adventure is desired).