Our thematic selections : Qatar

The economic and cultural development of Qatar, a small, almost desert-like peninsula in the Persian Gulf, is something of a prodigy. 
Barely 100 years ago, this emirate lived off the trade in pearls plucked from the sea by traditional fishermen. Today, it has the 3rd highest GDP per capita in the world, thanks in particular to the exploitation of its gas resources.

This development is accompanied by contrasts:  
Politically, modernist advances coexist with traditional permanences that sometimes seem to contradict the human rights set out by the UN. Qatar's alliances with major powers such as the Middle Eastern states are shifting and sometimes difficult to decipher.
Culturally, Qatar combines a celebration of Arab arts and traditions with an assertive architectural avant-garde.

This selection provides an in-depth look at the many facets of the power of this small country, which has become a key player in the world economy and diplomacy, shining abroad both through its financial investments and its Al Jazeera news channel.
This selection is just a glimpse of the IMA's heritage. Don't hesitate to continue your discoveries on this same portal or by coming directly to the IMA.