Qatar
Official Country Name
Qatar
Qatar Overview
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. His son, the current Amir HAMAD bin Khalifa al-Thani, overthrew him 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 one of the highest per capita incomes in the world.
Qatar Economy
Oil and gas account for more than 60% of GDP, roughly 85% of export earnings, and 70% of government revenues. Oil and gas have given Qatar a per capita GDP about 80% of that of the leading West European industrial countries. Sustained high oil prices and increased natural gas exports in recent years have helped build Qatar's budget and trade surpluses and foreign reserves. Proved oil reserves of more than 15 billion barrels should ensure continued output at current levels for 23 years. Qatar's proved reserves of natural gas exceed 25 trillion cubic meters, more than 5% of the world total and third largest in the world. Qatar has permitted substantial foreign investment in the development of its gas fields during the last decade and is expected to become the world's top liquefied natural gas (LNG) exporter in 2007. Qatar is also trying to attract foreign investment in the development of its non-energy projects by further liberalizing the economy. Qatar has become one of the world's fastest growing and highest per-capita income countries.
Qatar Location
Qatar is located in Middle East, peninsula bordering the Persian Gulf and Saudi Arabia
Region
Qatar is located in Asia
Qatar Population
Qatar has population of 885,359 (July 2006 est.)
Qatar Climate
Qatar has arid; mild, pleasant winters; very hot, humid summers
Qatar Terrain
mostly flat and barren desert covered with loose sand and gravel
Qatar Natural Resources
petroleum, natural gas, fish
Ethnic Groups in Qatar
Qatar has the following ethnic groups - Arab 40%, Indian 18%, Pakistani 18%, Iranian 10%, other 14%
Qatar Religions
Muslim 95%, other 5%
Qatar Languages
Arabic (official), English commonly used as a second language
Qatar Capital
Qatar capital is Doha
Qatar Currency
Qatar currency is Qatari rial
Map of Qatar
