Qatar Location : Middle East, peninsula bordering the Persian Gulf and Saudi Arabia
Capital City : Doha
Curreny : Qatari rial (QAR)
Languages Spoken : Arabic (official), English commonly used as a second language
Climate : arid; mild, pleasant winters; very hot, humid summers
National Holiday : Independence Day, 3 September (1971)
Background Information
Ruled by the Al Thani family since the mid-1800s, Qatar transformed itself from a poor British protectorate noted mainly for pearling into an independent state with significant oil and natural gas revenues. During the late 1980s and early 1990s, the Qatari economy was crippled by a continuous siphoning off of petroleum revenues by the amir who had ruled the country since 1972. He was overthrown by his son, the current Amir HAMAD bin Khalifa Al Thani, in a bloodless coup in 1995. In 2001, Qatar resolved its longstanding border disputes with both Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. Oil and natural gas revenues enable Qatar to have a per capita income not far below the leading industrial countries of Western Europe.
Geographical Note
strategic location in central Persian Gulf near major petroleum deposits
Economy
Oil accounts for more than 30% of GDP, roughly 80% of export earnings, and 58% of government revenues. Proved oil reserves of 3.7 billion barrels should ensure continued output at current levels for 23 years. Oil has given Qatar a per capita GDP comparable to that of the leading West European industrial countries. Qatar's proved reserves of natural gas exceed 7 trillion cubic meters, more than 5% of the world total, third largest in the world. Production and export of natural gas are becoming increasingly important. Long-term goals feature the development of offshore natural gas reserves. In 2000, Qatar posted its highest ever trade surplus of $7 billion, due mainly to high oil prices and increased natural gas exports, and managed to maintain the surplus in 2001.
Religions
Muslim 95%
Ports : Doha, Halul Island, Umm Sa'id (Musay'id)
International Disputes - Risks to travellers
: none
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