Not really an island - Qatar

I say "not really an island" because Qatar is the home of the news network Al Jazeera which in Arabic means "The Island". In the Arabic language Al Jazeera is also used to refer to the Arabian Peninsula itself (of which Qatar is a part and is itself a smaller peninsula jutting off from the big one).



Qatar's pre-oil economy was mainly based around pearling, and trading.





The wooden dhow is the traditional Arab sailing ship and features prominently in the country's art, culture, and leisure time.



Qatar has a I.M. Pei designed Museum of Islamic Art.



Among it's treasures is this beautiful map of the world from medieval times.