A tiny peninsula that juts into the Persian Gulf Qatar was once a poor country known primarily for the pearl rich waters that surround it. This is no longer so. Fueled by massive deposits of gas and oil Qatar now tops the list of the world’s richest countries. And, with the fastest growing economy in the world, its inhabitants busy themselves spending their new wealth.

The focus of this spending is Doha where, in every direction an infrastructure, transforming the city into western-style, luxury destination, is being hammered into the desert. Artificial islands covered in tower blocks full of luxury apartments are being built and sold by a flood of expat workers. All anxious to profit from the rich inhabitants that have yet to arrive.

Once they’re finished, alongside Dubai and Abu Dhabi, Qatar will be another perfect desert oasis. A place where, outside the limits of the city, and beyond the refineries that fuel it, is just the same as it always has been.