📖 About Doha

Doha is Qatar's capital and home to over 85% of the country's population. The city spent $220 billion preparing for the 2022 FIFA World Cup—approximately 10% of Qatar's $180 billion annual GDP spent yearly in preparation. This infrastructure investment transformed Doha into a global sporting destination with world-class stadiums and facilities.

Qatar's economy is charting an optimistic path beyond the World Cup era, shifting toward a diversified, service-led model. Non-hydrocarbon GDP grew at 3.4% compound annual rate from 2020-2024, rising 5.3% in Q1 2025. The Public Works Authority announced QAR 12 billion in infrastructure contracts including sports projects, continuing the legacy investment.

Doha hosted the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025, showcasing its World Cup stadiums to renew international confidence in Qatar's organizational capabilities. FIFA invested USD 50 million in the World Cup 2022 Legacy Fund for programs with WHO, WTO, and UNHCR. Qatar is reportedly working on a bid for the 2036 Olympic Games. The stadiums are being repurposed as community hubs, including a sports medicine hospital at Al Bayt.

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💼 Economy & Culture

Doha drives Qatar's economy through energy (LNG), finance, tourism, and increasingly hospitality and logistics post-World Cup. In 2018, Qatar allowed 100% foreign ownership in all sectors to boost FDI. A 2020 public-private partnership law enables investors to co-own infrastructure assets. Non-hydrocarbon sectors now drive diversified growth.

Doha's culture blends traditional Gulf Arab heritage with cosmopolitan modernity. The Souq Waqif preserves authentic market traditions while world-class museums showcase Islamic art and Qatari heritage. The World Cup elevated Qatar's global profile and soft power. International cuisine, luxury shopping, and desert excursions attract visitors year-round despite summer heat.

📜 History

Doha was a small pearling and fishing village until oil was discovered in 1939. Qatar declared independence from Britain in 1971 with Doha as capital. The discovery of the North Field gas reserve in 1971 transformed Qatar into the world's largest LNG exporter, funding Doha's dramatic modernization.

The 21st century brought Al Jazeera's launch (1996), Education City's development, and ultimately the 2010 World Cup bid victory that reshaped the city. The 2022 World Cup marked the culmination of $220 billion in preparation. Today's Doha leverages this infrastructure for continued growth as a global sports, tourism, and business hub.