Qatar and Dubai are two countries located in the Middle East region, which are known as world trade, business and tourism centers. These two countries have extraordinary wealth thanks to abundant oil and natural gas resources. However, Qatar and Dubai also have differences that are interesting to know.
Difference between Qatar and Dubai
Here are some differences between Qatar and Dubai that you may not know:
Political Status
Qatar is a sovereign country that became independent from Britain in 1971. Qatar has a constitutional monarchy system of government, where the king or emir acts as head of state and head of government. Qatar also has a national assembly consisting of 45 members, 30 of whom are directly elected by the people, and 15 others appointed by the emir.
Dubai, on the other hand, is not a country, but rather one of the seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Dubai joined the UAE in 1971, after previously being a British protectorate. Dubai has an absolute monarchy system of government, where the king or emir acts as head of state and head of government. Dubai does not have its own national assembly, instead being subject to the UAE Federal Supreme Council, which consists of seven emirs from each emirate.
Area and Population
Qatar has an area of around 11,571 km2, which makes it the second smallest country in the Middle East after Bahrain. Qatar has a population of around 2.8 million people, with the majority of residents being foreigners working in the oil, gas, construction and services sectors. Qatar has a population density of around 240 people per km2.
Dubai has an area of around 4,114 km2, which makes it the second largest emirate in the UAE after Abu Dhabi. Dubai has a population of around 3.4 million people, with the majority of residents also being foreigners working in various fields. Dubai has a population density of around 830 people per km2.
Economy and Per Capita Income
Qatar and Dubai both have highly developed and diversified economies. These two countries not only depend on the oil and gas sector, but also develop other sectors such as finance, tourism, property, media and technology. Qatar and Dubai also have modern and sophisticated infrastructure, such as airports, ports, toll roads, skyscrapers, five-star hotels and shopping centers.
But Qatar has a higher per capita income than Dubai. According to 2019 World Bank data, Qatar's per capita income is around 63,428 US dollars per year, while Dubai's per capita income is around 43,103 US dollars per year. This shows that Qatar has a better level of people's welfare than Dubai.
Culture and Religion
Qatar and Dubai both have cultures that are strong with Islamic and Arabic values. These two countries apply sharia law in several aspects of social life, such as marriage, divorce, inheritance and crime. Both countries also respect the holy month of Ramadan by closing most entertainment and food venues during the day.
However, Dubai is more tolerant and open to other cultures and religions than Qatar. Dubai has many non-Muslim places of worship, such as churches, temples and synagogues. Dubai also has many entertainment and food venues that remain open during Ramadan, as long as they are not visible to the public. Dubai is also more flexible when it comes to dressing, although it still respects modesty norms.
Qatar, on the other hand, is more conservative and strict when it comes to culture and religion. Qatar has no non-Muslim places of worship, except for one Catholic church built in 2008. Qatar also prohibits all entertainment and food venues from opening during Ramadan, even for non-Muslims. Qatar is also stricter about clothing, especially for women, who must cover their hair and body.
Tourist
Qatar and Dubai both have many interesting tourist attractions for visitors. Both countries have beautiful beaches, vast deserts, historical museums, and delightful recreational parks. These two countries also have several famous landmarks, such as the Museum of Islamic Art in Qatar and the Burj Khalifa in Dubai.
But Dubai is superior in terms of tourism than Qatar. Dubai has a wider selection of diverse and spectacular tourist attractions, such as Palm Jumeirah, The World Islands, Ski Dubai, Dubai Mall, Dubai Fountain, Dubai Frame, and others. Dubai is also busier and livelier than Qatar, with many events and festivals taking place throughout the year.
Qatar, on the other hand, is calmer and more relaxed when it comes to tourism. Qatar has a smaller selection of tourist attractions that tend to be more traditional and cultural, such as Souq Waqif, Qatar National Museum, Katara Cultural Village, The Pearl-Qatar, and others. Qatar is also more peaceful and quiet than Dubai, with an atmosphere more suited to those seeking tranquility.
Conclusion
Qatar and Dubai are two rich countries in the Middle East that have many similarities and differences. These two countries have extraordinary wealth thanks to abundant oil and natural gas resources. Both countries also have highly developed and diversified economies, as well as modern and sophisticated infrastructure.
However, Qatar and Dubai also have differences in terms of political status, area and population, per capita income, culture and religion, and tourism. Qatar is a sovereign country that has a constitutional monarchy system of government. Qatar has a larger area and population than Dubai, but a higher per capita income. Qatar is also more conservative and strict when it comes to culture and religion, and more calm and relaxed when it comes to tourism.
Dubai is one of the emirates that form the UAE which has an absolute monarchy system of government. Dubai has a smaller area and population than Qatar, but lower per capita income. Dubai is also more tolerant and open to other cultures and religions, and is more bustling and lively in terms of tourism.
