Population: 848,016 (July 2011 estimate)
Area: 4,473 square miles (11,586 sq km)
Coastline: 350 miles (563 km)
Border Country: Saudi Arabia
Highest Point: Tuwayyir al Hamir at 338 feet (103 m)
Qatar (pronounced ka-tar), officially called the State of Qatar, is a country located in the Middle East on the Qatar Peninsula (map). This peninsula is considered a small part of the Arabian Peninsula. Qatar shares its borders with Saudi Arabia and has 350 miles (563 m) of coastline along the Persian Gulf. The country has a population of 848,016 people (July 2011 estimate) and a population density of 189.5 people per square mile (73 people per sq km). Qatar is known for its wealth of oil and natural gas and has one of the world's fastest growing economies.
History of Qatar
It is believed that the region of Qatar has been inhabited since ancient times. The Al Khalifa family eventually took control of the region and dominated Qatar until 1868 when Qatar's nobles requested that the British negotiate termination of the Khalifa's claims over the region. In 1872 the Ottoman Empire occupied Qatar.The Ottomans remained in Qatar until the beginning of World War I at which time Qatar entered into a treaty with the British and the Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim Al Thani was recognized as its ruler. As part of the treaty, Qatar agreed not to get rid of any of its territory or enter into foreign agreements without Britain's consent. In return Britain offered military support to Qatar. Another treaty in 1934 strengthened Britain's protection of Qatar.
In 1940 a substantial amount of oil was discovered in Dukhan on the western side of the Qatar Peninsula but exports of the oil did not start until 1949 because of World War II. Throughout the 1950s and the 1960s exploitation of Qatar's oil resources increased and the country's economy grew considerably. Immigration and social and governmental progress also occurred during this period.
In 1968 the British ended its treaties with the Persian Gulf sheikdoms and Qatar joined eight other former British sheikdoms to form a union of Arab emirates. However by 1971 the sheikdoms had still not fully unified and Qatar became the independent State of Qatar on September 3, 1971.
Government of Qatar
Today Qatar is considered an emirate with executive, legislative and judicial branches of government. Its executive branch is made up of a chief of state (Amir Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani) and a head of government (the prime minister). Qatar's legislative branch consists of a unicameral Advisory Council while its judicial branch consists of the Courts of First Instance, Appeal and Cassation as well as an Administrative Court and a Constitutional Court. Qatar is divided into seven municipalities (Ad Dawhah, Al Khawr wa adh Dhakhirah, Al Wakrah, Ar Rayyan, Ash Shamal, Az Za'ayin, Umm Salal) for local administration.Economics and Land Use in Qatar
Qatar is known for having a very strong economy and it is one of the world's wealthiest and fastest growing nations. Its economic policy is mainly focused on developing its natural gas reserves but other major industries in the country include liquefied natural gas, crude oil production and refining, ammonia, fertilizers, petrochemicals, the manufacture of steel reinforcing bars, cement and commercial ship repair. Agriculture does not play a large role in Qatar's economy because the country is mostly arid but there are a few fruit and vegetable crops. Poultry, dairy products, beef and fish are also a part of the country's economy.Geography and Climate of Qatar
Qatar is a Middle Eastern country covering an area of 4,473 square miles (11,586 sq km). Its topography is mainly flat throughout this area and consists of a sandy desert landscape. The highest point in Qatar is Tuwayyir al Hamir at 338 feet (103 m).The climate of Qatar is arid with mild winters and very hot, humid summers. Qatar's capital and largest city Doha has an average July high temperature of 106.7ºF (41.2ºC) and January average low temperature of 55ºF (12.8ºC).
To learn more about Qatar, visit the Geography and Maps of Qatar on this website.
