What countries border Qatar?
What is the current weather in Qatar?
What is Qatar famous for?
What is the capital of Qatar?
Capital | Doha |
Government Type | absolute monarchy |
Currency | Qatari Rial (QAR) |
Total Area |
4,473 Square Miles 11,586 Square Kilometers |
Location | Middle East, peninsula bordering the Persian Gulf and Saudi Arabia |
Language | Arabic (official), English commonly used as a second language |
GDP - real growth rate | 4.7% |
GDP - per capita (PPP) | $145,000.00 (USD) |
What is the population of Qatar?
Ethnic Groups | Arab 40%, Pakistani 18%, Indian 18%, Iranian 10%, other 14% |
Nationality Noun | Qatari(s) |
Population | 2,444,174 |
Population Growth Rate | 4.19% |
Population in Major Urban Areas | DOHA (capital) 567,000 |
Urban Population | 98.800000 |
What type of government does Qatar have?
Executive Branch |
chief of state: Amir TAMIM bin Hamad Al Thani (since 25 June 2013) head of government: Prime Minister and Foreign Minister MUHAMMAD bin Abd al-Rahman Al Thani (since 7 March 2023); Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defense Affairs KHALID bin Muhammad al-Attiyah (since 14 November 2017) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the amir elections/appointments: the monarchy is hereditary; prime minister and deputy prime minister appointed by the amir |
Suffrage | 18 years of age; universal |
Citizenship |
citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: the father must be a citizen of Qatar dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: 20 years; 15 years if an Arab national Suffrage: |
National Holiday | National Day, 18 December (1878), anniversary of Al Thani family accession to the throne; Independence Day, 3 September (1971) |
Constitution |
history: previous 1972 (provisional); latest drafted 2 July 2002, approved by referendum 29 April 2003, endorsed 8 June 2004, effective 9 June 2005 amendments: proposed by the Amir or by one third of Advisory Council members; passage requires two-thirds majority vote of Advisory Council members and approval and promulgation by the emir; articles pertaining to the rule of state and its inheritance, functions of the emir, and citizen rights and liberties cannot be amended |
Independence | 3 September 1971 (from the UK) |
What environmental issues does Qatar have?
Overview |
A sovereign Arab State on the western shore of the Arabian Gulf, Qatar occupies a 4,200-square-mile peninsula and several small offshore islands. The Qatar Peninsula projects north into the Gulf for about 100 miles and has a maximum width of about 55 miles. The land is mainly flat (the highest point is 103 meters) and rocky. Notable features include coastal salt pans, elevated limestone formations (the Dukhan anticline) along the west coast, under which lies the Dukhan oil field, and massive dunes surrounding Khawr al Udayd, an inlet of the gulf in the southeast known to local English speakers as the Inland Sea. Of the islands belonging to Qatar, Halul is the most important. It lies about ninety kilometers east of Doha. A permanently settled island, it is a vital storage center and tanker terminal for three offshore oil fields. Hawar and the adjacent islands immediately off the west coast are the subject of a territorial dispute between Qatar and Bahrain. The capital, Doha, is located on the central east coast on a sweeping (if shallow) harbor. Other ports include Umm Said, Al Khawr, and Al Wakrah. Only Doha and Umm Said can handle commercial shipping, although a large port and a terminal for loading natural gas are planned at Ras Laffan, north of Al Khawr. Coral reefs and shallow coastal waters make navigation difficult in areas where channels have not been dredged. In the south, at the neck of the peninsula, Qatar borders the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Riyadh, the Saudi capital, lies 250 miles due west beyond the Jafura Desert. The port of Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, is about 150 nautical miles southeast. The vast Rub' al-Khali Desert, one of the largest and driest deserts in the world, lies below Abu Dhabi and extends to Qatar's southern border. Bahrain is the nearest seaward neighbor to the north. Although Bahrain's capital, Manama, is 100 miles from Doha, only 20 miles separate the two countries at the narrowest part of the channel into the Gulf of Salwa. The Gulf's eastern (Iranian) shore is 120 miles beyond Qatar's northern tip. The nearest Iranian port, Busheir, lies about 250 miles east of Doha. The Iraqi port of Basra, on the north shore of the Gulf, is 350 miles away. The southern Strait of Hormuz, 310 miles from Doha, provides access to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. Thus, Qatar occupies a central position in the Arabian Gulf. The overall outline of the peninsula was not defined on European maps until well into the 19th century. However, Karsten Niebugh briefly described the arm in his Voyage en Arabie, published in Switzerland in 1780. The historical appearance of Qatari place names on European maps strongly suggests that, until recently, international navigators were familiar only with the northern end of the country and the eastern pearling banks. Qatar's terrain is monotonously flat, except for the Dukhan anticline in the west and some low rock outcroppings at the northern end of the east coast. Blown sand covers much of the south, and shifting dunes predominate in the southeast. The Dukhan anticline rises from the west coast as a chain of separate hills of up to 325 feet in height, about 35 miles long and 3-5 miles wide, covering the country's onshore oil fields. Natural vegetation, including semipermanent pasture, is limited to areas surrounding wells, depressions, and short drainage courses active only after the winter rains. Most flora is confined to the northern half of the country. Elsewhere, only sparse patches of camel thorn and isolated date palm plantations relieve the featureless terrain. The coastline is uneven and rises gently on both sides of the peninsula. Sandy reefs abound in the surrounding shallows. Extensive salt flats at the landward end of the peninsula, between Salwa on the west coast and Khor al-Odeid on the east, support the local belief that Qatar was once an island, separated from what is now the Saudi Province of al-Hasa. |
Climate |
Qatar lies outside the area of the annual monsoons. Its seasons are similar to those of the Temperate Zone, although usually much hotter. The winter months from December through February are cool. Intense heat persists at least from May through September. March, April, October, and November normally provide the most agreeable climatic conditions. Average humidity ranges from 32% during the cooler months to highs of 96% and 100% during late summer and early fall. Rainfall is usually very light and averages less than 3 inches per year, mostly in the winter months. Almost no rain falls from May through October. Frequent high winds, especially from March through August, can fill the air with fine dust and create a brownish haze on the horizon. The prevailing desert wind, known as shemal, comes from the north during the spring and summer months. In late summer, when the shemal dies, the humidity rises. The long summer (June through September) is characterized by intense heat and alternating dryness and humidity, with temperatures exceeding 55° C. Temperatures are moderate from November through May, although winter temperatures may fall to 17° C, which is relatively cool for the latitude. Rainfall is negligible, averaging 100 millimeters per year, confined to the winter months, and falling in brief, sometimes heavy storms that often flood the small ravines and the usually dry wadis. Sudden, violent dust storms occasionally descend on the peninsula, blotting out the sun, causing wind damage, and momentarily disrupting transport and other services. The scarcity of rainfall and the limited underground water, most of which has such a high mineral content that it is unsuitable for drinking or irrigation, restricted the population and the extent of agricultural and industrial development the country could support until desalination projects began. Although water continues to be provided from underground sources, most is obtained by desalination of seawater. |
Border Countries | Saudi Arabia 60 km |
Environment - Current Issues | limited natural fresh water resources are increasing dependence on large-scale desalination facilities |
Environment - International Agreements |
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements |
Terrain | mostly flat and barren desert covered with loose sand and gravel |
How big is the Qatar economy?
Economic Overview |
Qatar boasts one of the wealthiest and fastest-growing economies in the world, primarily driven by its vast oil and natural gas reserves. Oil and Gas: Qatar possesses the world's third-largest proven natural gas reserves and is a significant liquefied natural gas (LNG) exporter. The oil and gas sector contributes significantly to the country's GDP, government revenues, and exports. Diversification Efforts: While oil and gas remain the backbone of the economy, Qatar has been actively pursuing economic diversification strategies to reduce reliance on hydrocarbon revenues. Key sectors targeted for diversification include finance, real estate, tourism, healthcare, education, and logistics. Infrastructure Development: Qatar has invested heavily in infrastructure projects, particularly preparing to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup. These projects include the construction of stadiums, transportation networks, hotels, and other facilities. Infrastructure investments contribute to economic growth and job creation. Financial Services: Doha, the capital city, is a regional financial hub, home to various international banks, financial institutions, and investment firms. Qatar has developed a robust financial services sector, offering banking, insurance, asset management, and Islamic finance services. Trade and Investment: Qatar has actively pursued trade and investment partnerships with countries worldwide. The country's strategic location in the Middle East and its stable political environment and investment-friendly policies have attracted foreign investors and multinational corporations. Government Initiatives: The Qatari government significantly drives economic development through its Vision 2030 strategic plan. The vision outlines goals for economic diversification, human development, environmental sustainability, and social progress. Initiatives such as Qatar National Vision 2030 and National Development Strategy aim to create a knowledge-based economy and improve citizens' overall quality of life. Challenges: Despite its economic strengths, Qatar faces challenges such as dependence on hydrocarbon revenues, regional geopolitical tensions, and balancing economic growth with environmental sustainability. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic posed temporary challenges to various sectors, including tourism and hospitality. |
Industries | crude oil production and refining, fertilizers, petrochemicals, steel reinforcing bars, cement |
Currency Name and Code | Qatari Rial (QAR) |
Export Partners | Japan 41.2%, South Korea 17.1%, Singapore 8.4%, US 4.2% |
Import Partners | France 17.8%, Japan 10.1%, US 8.5%, UK 8.3%, Germany 8.2%, Italy 6.7%, UAE 5.1%, Saudi Arabia 4.2%, South Korea 4% |
What current events are happening in Qatar?
Source: Google News
What makes Qatar a unique country to travel to?