Timeline of Qatar

Chronology

12 events spanning the history of Qatar. BCE/CE dating.

1. 1700

   Migrants establish pearling and trading settlements along the coast of present-day Qatar.

   Migrants establish pearling and trading settlements along the coast of present-day Qatar.

2. 1867

   Conflict with neighboring Bahrain over territorial claims; Doha is all but destroyed.

   Conflict with neighboring Bahrain over territorial claims. Doha is all but destroyed.

3. 1900

   After Iraq invades Kuwait, Qatar says it will allow foreign forces on its soil.

   After Iraq invades Kuwait, Qatar says it will allow foreign forces on its soil. Qatari troops later take part in the liberation of Kuwait.

4. 1939

   Oil reserves discovered.

   Oil reserves discovered. Exploitation is delayed by World War II, but oil comes to replace pearling and fishing as Qatar’s main source of revenue.

5. 1968

   Britain announces that it will withdraw its forces from the Gulf.

   Britain announces that it will withdraw its forces from the Gulf. Qatar negotiates with Bahrain and present-day United Arab Emirates on forming a federation.

6. 1971

   Qatar becomes independent.

   Qatar becomes independent.

7. 2001

   Qatar settles long-running border disputes with Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.

   Qatar settles long-running border disputes with Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.

8. 2002

   Iraq and Qatar signed a free-trade agreement to drop customs duties.

   Iraq and Qatar signed a free-trade agreement to drop customs duties and ease the flow of goods between the two Arab countries, further mending relations damaged by the 1990-91 Gulf War.

9. 2003

   Voters approve a new constitution.

   Voters approve a new constitution, which provides for a 45-member parliament with 30 elected members and the rest selected by the emir.

10. 2005

    Qatar’s first written constitution comes into effect, providing for some democratic reforms.

    Qatar’s first written constitution comes into effect, providing for some democratic reforms.