i want to know about qatar, its population, food, people, places can anyone help me?

Answer 1

A country of eastern Arabia on a peninsula in the southwest Persian Gulf. A traditional monarchy, it was under British protection from 1916 until 1971, when it became independent. Oil was first produced commercially in 1949, and its production still dominates Qatar's economy. Ethnic Qataris, Arabs of the Wahhabi sect, make up a quarter of the population, with the rest being immigrants and guest workers primarily from other Muslim countries. Doha is the capital and the largest city. Population: 863,000.

Country, Middle East, southwestern Asia. It juts out from the east coast of the Arabian Peninsula into the Persian Gulf. Area: 4,412 sq mi (11,427 sq km). Population (2005 est.): 773,000. Capital: Doha.

Most of the population is Arab, with South Asian and Iranian minorities who are often migrant workers.
Languages: Arabic (official), English. Religions: Islam (official; predominantly Sunni); also Christianity, Hinduism.
Currency: Qatar rial.
Qatar is mostly stony, sandy, and barren and consists of salt flats, dune desert, and arid plains. Largely because of petroleum and natural gas exports, its gross national product per capita is one of the highest in the world. The government owns all of the agricultural land and generates most of the economic activity; the private sector participates in trade and contracting on a limited scale. Qatar is a constitutional emirate, and its basis of legislation is Islamic law. The head of state and government is the emir, assisted by the prime minister. It was partly controlled by Bahrain from the mid-18th to the mid-19th century and then was nominally part of the Ottoman Empire until World War I (1914–18). In 1916 it became a British protectorate. Oil was discovered in 1939, and Qatar rapidly modernized. It declared independence in 1971, when the British protectorate ended. In 1991 Qatar served as a base for air strikes against Iraq in the First Persian Gulf War.

(kətär') , officially State of Qatar, independent emirate (2005 est. pop. 863,000), c.4,400 sq mi (11,400 sq km), E Arabia, coextensive with the Qatar peninsula, which projects into the Persian Gulf. The capital and largest city is Doha. For administrative purposes, the country is divided into nine municipalities.
Land, People, and Government

Qatar is largely barren and agriculture is minimal. Water is scarce. Once a nomadic society, Qatar now has little rural population. Doha, the main urban center, is on the eastern coast of the peninsula. About 40% of the inhabitants are Sunni Arabs of the Wahhabi sect of Islam. Other ethnicities include Pakistanis, Indians, Iranians, and Palestinians. Less than one fifth of the population are native Qataris; most of the workers associated with the important oil and gas industries are foreigners. Arabic is the official language, although English is widely used.

Qatar is a traditional monarchy headed by an emir. A new constitution came into force in 2005, providing for a 45-seat consultative council, two thirds of whose members would be elected and one third appointed by the emir. Elections are expected in 2007. The previous provisional constitution (1972) called for elections to the 35-seat advisory council (Shura), but none were held; council members were appointed by the ruling family. Qatar is a member of the Arab League, the United Nations, and the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

Economy

Qatar imports the majority of its food, although livestock and fruits and vegetables are raised and there is fishing. Oil and natural gas, the mainstays of the economy, account for roughly 70% of the country's export earnings. Although total oil reserves are somewhat modest in comparison to other Persian Gulf countries, Qatar is one of the largest natural-gas producers in the world. The vast North Field gas reserve, an underwater field northeast of the Qatar peninsula, began production in the 1990s. Natural gas, crude oil, refined petroleum, and petrochemicals are produced, and steel, cement, and fertilizers are some of Qatar's developing diversified industries. The country has also become a regional banking center. Native Qataris have one of the highest per capita incomes in the world.

History

The area occupied by Qatar has been settled since the Stone Age. After the rise of Islam in the 7th cent. A.D. it became part of the Arab caliphate, and later of the Ottoman Empire. In the late 18th cent. it became subject to Wahhabis from the region of present-day Saudi Arabia; they were later supplanted by the Al Thani dynasty. During the Turkish occupation from 1871 to 1913, senior members of the Al Thani family were named deputy governors; subsequently, Qatar became a British protectorate, with Abdullah bin Jassim al-Thani recognized as emir. In 1971, Qatar became independent of Great Britain. In 1972 the reigning emir, Ahmad ibn Ali al-Thani, was deposed by his cousin Khalifa ibn Hamad al-Thani. He in turn was deposed in June, 1995, by his son and heir, Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, who as crown prince was credited with having launched a major industrial modernization program.

In 1981, Qatar joined neighboring countries in the formation of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to strengthen economic relations among the participating nations. The country's stability was threatened by the Iran-Iraq War throughout the 1980s. Territorial disputes with Bahrain over the Hawar Islands and gas fields in the separating sea erupted in 1986, and there were armed clashes with Saudi Arabia in 1992 over their common border. These disputes were not completely settled until 2001.

During the Persian Gulf War (1991), international coalition forces were deployed on Qatari soil. Palestinians were expelled from Qatar in retaliation for the pro-Iraqi stance of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), but since the war relations with the Palestinians have returned to normal. After the Persian Gulf War, Iraq was still regarded as a threat to Qatar's oil interests; Qatar signed a defense pact with the United States but also restored relations with Iraq.

Adopting a moderate course of action, Sheikh Hamad in the late 1990s eased press censorship and sought improved relations with Iran and Israel. He also has moved steadily to democratize the nation's government and institute elections. In 2003 voters approved a constitution establishing a largely elected advisory council with the power to pass laws, subject to the emir's approval; women have the right to vote and hold office. The constitution was endorsed by the emir in 2004 and came into force in 2005. The Al Udeid air base, in S central Qatar, has been used by the United States military since late 2001, and the U.S. Central Command established forward headquarters in Qatar prior to the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

The international dialing code for Qatar is: 974
Currency - Country Qatari Rial
Geography
Directory > Places > Geography Qatar (kah-tahr, kuh-tahr)

Kingdom on the Arabian Peninsula, located on a small peninsula extending into the Persian Gulf, bordered to the south by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Qatar was a British protectorate from 1916 to 1971.
It has successfully exploited its oil reserves since 1949.

Background: 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.

Geography

Location: Middle East, peninsula bordering the Persian Gulf and Saudi Arabia
Geographic coordinates: 25 30 N, 51 15 E
Map references: Middle East
Area: total: 11,437 sq km
land: 11,437 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Connecticut
Land boundaries: total: 60 km
border countries: Saudi Arabia 60 km
Coastline: 563 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: as determined by bilateral agreements or the median line
Climate: arid; mild, pleasant winters; very hot, humid summers
Terrain: mostly flat and barren desert covered with loose sand and gravel
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m
highest point: Qurayn Abu al Bawl 103 m
Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, fish
Land use: arable land: 1.64%
permanent crops: 0.27%
other: 98.09% (2001)
Irrigated land: 130 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards: haze, dust storms, sandstorms common
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
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note: strategic location in central Persian Gulf near major petroleum deposits

People

Population: 863,051 (July 2005 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 23.7% (male 104,453/female 100,295)
15-64 years: 72.9% (male 437,118/female 191,830)
65 years and over: 3.4% (male 21,599/female 7,756) (2005 est.)
Median age: total: 31.57 years
male: 36.87 years
female: 22.33 years (2005 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.61% (2005 est.)
Birth rate: 15.54 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Death rate: 4.61 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Net migration rate: 15.17 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 2.28 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 2.78 male(s)/female
total population: 1.88 male(s)/female (2005 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 18.61 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 21.95 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 15.11 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 73.67 years
male: 71.15 years
female: 76.32 years (2005 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.87 children born/woman (2005 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.09% (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA
Nationality: noun: Qatari(s)
adjective: Qatari
Ethnic groups: Arab 40%, Pakistani 18%, Indian 18%, Iranian 10%, other 14%
Religions: Muslim 95%
Languages: Arabic (official), English commonly used as a second language
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 82.5%
male: 81.4%
female: 85% (2003 est.)

Government

Country name: conventional long form: State of Qatar
conventional short form: Qatar
local long form: Dawlat Qatar
local short form: Qatar
note: closest approximation of the native pronunciation falls between cutter and gutter, but not like guitar
Government type: traditional monarchy
Capital: Doha
Administrative divisions: 10 municipalities (baladiyat, singular - baladiyah); Ad Dawhah, Al Ghuwayriyah, Al Jumayliyah, Al Khawr, Al Wakrah, Ar Rayyan, Jarayan al Batinah, Madinat ash Shamal, Umm Sa'id, Umm Salal
Independence: 3 September 1971 (from UK)
National holiday: Independence Day, 3 September (1971)
Constitution: ratified by the Qatari public on 29 April 2003, endorsed by the Emir on 8 June 2004, came into force on 9 June 2005
Legal system: discretionary system of law controlled by the amir, although civil codes are being implemented; Islamic law dominates family and personal matters
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: Amir HAMAD bin Khalifa Al Thani (since 27 June 1995 when, as crown prince, he ousted his father, Amir KHALIFA bin Hamad Al Thani, in a bloodless coup); Crown Prince TAMIM bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, third son of the monarch (selected Heir Apparent by the monarch on 5 August 2003); note - Amir HAMAD also holds the positions of Minister of Defense and Commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces
head of government: Prime Minister ABDALLAH bin Khalifa Al Thani, brother of the monarch (since 30 October 1996); Deputy Prime Minister MUHAMMAD bin Khalifa Al Thani, brother of the monarch (since 20 January 1998); First Deputy Prime Minister HAMAD bin JASIM bin JABIR Al Thani (since 16 September 2003; also Foreign Minister since 1992); Second Deputy Prime Minister Abdallah bin Hamad al-ATTIYAH (since 16 September 2003; also Energy Minister since NA 1992)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the monarch
elections: none; the monarch is hereditary
note: in April 2003, Qatar held nationwide elections for a 29-member Central Municipal Council (CMC), which has consultative powers aimed at improving the provision of municipal services; the first election for the CMC was held in March 1999
Legislative branch: unicameral Advisory Council or Majlis al-Shura (35 seats; members appointed)
note: no legislative elections have been held since 1970 when there were partial elections to the body; Council members have had their terms extended every four years since; the new constitution, which came into force on 8 June 2004, provides for a 45-member Consultative Council, or Majlis al-Shura; the public would elect two-thirds of the Majlis al-Shura; the amir would appoint the remaining members
Judicial branch: Court of Appeal
note: under the new judiciary law issued in 2003, the former two court systems, civil and Islamic law, were merged under a higher court, the Court of Cassation, established for appeals
Political parties and leaders: none
Political pressure groups and leaders: none
International organization participation: ABEDA, AFESD, AMF, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDB, IFAD, IFRCS, IHO (pending member), ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, OPEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, WToO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Badr Umar al-DAFA
chancery: 4200 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20016
telephone: [1] [phone] and 274-1603
FAX: [1] [phone]
consulate(s) general: Houston
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Chase UNTERMEYER
embassy: Al-Luqta District, 22 February Road, Doha
mailing address: P. O. Box 2399, Doha
telephone: [974] 488 4101
FAX: [974] 488 4298
Flag description: maroon with a broad white serrated band (nine white points) on the hoist side

Economy

Economy - overview: Oil and gas account for more than 55% 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. Proved oil reserves of 16 billion barrels should ensure continued output at current levels for 23 years. Qatar's proved reserves of natural gas exceed 14 trillion cubic meters, more than 5% of the world total and third largest in the world. Long-term goals feature the development of offshore natural gas reserves to offset the ultimate decline in oil production. In recent years, Qatar has consistently posted trade surpluses largely because of high oil prices and increased natural gas exports, becoming one of the world's fastest growing and highest per-capita income countries.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $19.49 billion (2004 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: 8.7% (2004 est.)
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $23,200 (2004 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 0.3%
industry: 58.2%
services: 41.5% (2004 est.)
Labor force: 140,000 (2004 est.)
Unemployment rate: 2.7% (2001)
Population below poverty line: NA
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA
highest 10%: NA
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3% (2004 est.)
Investment (gross fixed): 22.9% of GDP (2004 est.)
Budget: revenues: $10.17 billion
expenditures: $7.61 billion, including capital expenditures of $2.2 billion (2004 est.)
Public debt: NA
Agriculture - products: fruits, vegetables; poultry, dairy products, beef; fish
Industries: crude oil production and refining, ammonia, fertilizers, petrochemicals, steel reinforcing bars, cement, commercial ship repair
Industrial production growth rate: 10% (2003 est.)
Electricity - production: 9.727 billion kWh (2002)
Electricity - consumption: 9.046 billion kWh (2002)
Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2002)
Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2002)
Oil - production: 790,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)
Oil - consumption: 30,000 bbl/day (2003 est.)
Oil - exports: NA
Oil - imports: NA
Oil - proved reserves: 16 billion bbl (2004 est.)
Natural gas - production: 32.4 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - consumption: 15.86 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - exports: 18.2 billion cu m (2004 est.)
Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves: 14.41 trillion cu m (2004)
Current account balance: $5.187 billion (2004 est.)
Exports: $15 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)
Exports - commodities: liquefied natural gas (LNG), petroleum products, fertilizers, steel
Exports - partners: Japan 43.8%, South Korea 16.1%, Singapore 10.8% (2004)
Imports: $6.15 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)
Imports - commodities: machinery and transport equipment, food, chemicals
Imports - partners: France 24.4%, UK 8.9%, Germany 8.8%, Japan 8.7%, US 6.2%, Italy 5.5%, UAE 4.1% (2004)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $3.351 billion (2004 est.)
Debt - external: $18.62 billion (2004 est.)
Economic aid - recipient: NA
Currency (code): Qatari rial (QAR)
Exchange rates: Qatari rials per US dollar - 3.64 (2004), 3.64 (2003), 3.64 (2002), 3.64 (2001), 3.64 (2000)
Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March

Communications

Telephones - main lines in use: 184,500 (2003)
Telephones - mobile cellular: 376,500 (2003)
Telephone system: general assessment: modern system centered in Doha
domestic: NA
international: country code - 974; tropospheric scatter to Bahrain; microwave radio relay to Saudi Arabia and UAE; submarine cable to Bahrain and UAE; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean) and 1 Arabsat
Radio broadcast stations: AM 6, FM 5, shortwave 1 (1998)
Television broadcast stations: 1 (plus three repeaters) (2001)
Internet country code: .qa
Internet hosts: 221 (2004)
Internet users: 126,000 (2003)

Transportation

Highways: total: 1,230 km
paved: 1,107 km
unpaved: 123 km (1999 est.)
Pipelines: condensate 319 km; condensate/gas 209 km; gas 1,024 km; liquid petroleum gas 87 km; oil 702 km; oil/gas/water 41 km (2004)
Ports and harbors: Doha, Halul Island, Umm Sa'id (Musay'id)
Merchant marine: total: 22 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 525,051 GRT/772,635 DWT
by type: cargo 3, chemical tanker 5, container 8, liquefied gas 2, petroleum tanker 3, roll on/roll off 1
foreign-owned: 6 (Kuwait 6) (2005)
Airports: 4 (2004 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 2
over 3,047 m: 2 (2004 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 2
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)
Heliports: 1 (2004 est.)

Military

Military branches: Qatari Amiri Land Force (QALF), Qatari Amiri Navy (QAN), Qatari Amiri Air Force (QAAF)
Military manpower - military age and obligation: 18 years of age for voluntary military service; Land Force's enlisted personnel are largely nonprofessional foreign nationals (2005)
Military manpower - availability: males age 18-49: 302,873
note: includes non-nationals (2005 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 18-49: 238,566 (2005 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 7,851 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure: $723 million (FY00)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 10% (FY00)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international: none


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WordNet
Directory > Words > WordNet Note: click on a word meaning below to see its connections and related words.
The noun Qatar has 2 meanings:

Meaning #1: an Arab country on the peninsula of Qatar; achieved independence from the United Kingdom in 1971; the economy is dominated by oil
Synonyms: State of Qatar, Katar, State of Katar


Meaning #2: a peninsula extending northward from the Arabian mainland into the Persian Gulf
Synonyms: Qatar Peninsula, Katar, Katar Peninsula


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Wikipedia
Directory > Reference > Wikipedia Qatar
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Please discuss this issue on the talk page, or replace this tag with a more specific message. Editing help is available.
This article has been tagged since May 2006.
This article is about the country; for the medical condition, see catarrh.
دولة قطر
Dawlat Qatar
State of Qatar
Flag Coat of arms

Motto: none
Anthem: As Salam al Amiri




Capital Doha
25°18′N 51°31′E
Largest city Doha
Official language(s) Arabic
Government Traditional monarchy
- Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani
- Prime Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifah Al Thani
Independence 1
- from UK protectorate September 3, 1971
Area
- Total 11,437 km² (164th)
4,416 sq mi
- Water (%) Negligible
Population
- July 2006 est. 839,213 (158th 2)
- 2004 census 744,029[1]
- Density 74/km² (121st)
192/sq mi
GDP (PPP) 2005 estimate
- Total $25.01 billion (102nd)
- Per capita $31,397 (11th)
HDI (2003) 0.849 (40th) – high
Currency Riyal (QAR)
Time zone (UTC+3)
- Summer (DST) (UTC+3)
Internet TLD .qa
Calling code +974
1.) Ruled by the Al Thani family since the mid-1800s
2.) Rank based on 2005 estimate

Qatar (Arabic: قطر pronounced: [ˈqɑ̱.tˁɑ̱r][1]), officially the State of Qatar (Arabic: دولة قطر, Dawlat Qatar), is an emirate in the Middle East or Western Asia, occupying the small Qatar Peninsula on the northeasterly coast of the larger Arabian Peninsula. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the south; otherwise the Persian Gulf surrounds the state.


History
Main article: History of Qatar
Qatar forms one of the newer emirates in the Arabian Peninsula. After domination by Persians for thousands of years and more recently by the Ottoman Turks, and by the British, Qatar became an independent state on September 3, 1971. Unlike most nearby emirates, Qatar declined to become part of either the United Arab Emirates or of Saudi Arabia.

Although the peninsular land mass that makes up Qatar has sustained humans for thousands of years, for the bulk of its history the arid climate fostered only short-term settlements by nomadic tribes. Clans such as the Al Khalifa and the Al Saud (which would later ascend the thrones of Bahrain and of Saudi Arabia respectively) swept through the Arabian peninsula and camped on the coasts within small fishing and pearling villages. The clans battled each other for lucrative oyster beds and lands, frequently forming and breaking coalitions with one another in their attempts to establish territorial supremacy.


Qatari desertThe British initially sought out Qatar and the Persian Gulf as an intermediary vantage point en route to their colonial interests in India, although the discovery of oil and hydrocarbons in the early twentieth century would re-invigorate their interest. During the nineteenth century (the time of Britain’s formative ventures into the region) the Al Khalifa clan reigned over the Northern Qatari peninsula from the off-shore island of Bahrain to the west. Although Qatar legally had the status of a dependency, resentment festered against the Bahraini Al Khalifas along the eastern seaboard in the fishing villages of Doha and Wakrah. In 1867 the Al Khalifas launched a successful effort to quash the Qatari rebels by sending a massive naval force to Wakrah. Bahraini aggression however violated an 1820 Anglo-Bahraini Treaty, and the diplomatic response of the British Protectorate set into motion the political forces that would eventuate in the founding of the state of Qatar. In addition to censuring Bahrain for its breach of agreement, the British Protectorate (per Colonel Lewis Pelly) asked to negotiate with a representative from Qatar. The request carried with it a tacit recognition of Qatar’s status as distinct from Bahrain. To negotiate with Colonel Pelly the Qataris chose a respected entrepreneur and long-time resident of Doha, Muhammed bin Thani. His clan, the Al Thanis, had taken relatively little part in Persian Gulf politics, but the diplomatic foray ensured their future participation and dominion as the ruling family, a dynasty that continues to this day. The negotiation results left Qatar with a new-found sense of political selfhood, although it did not gain official standing as a British protectorate until 1916.


The Emiri DiwanThe imperial reach of the British Empire diminished after the Second World War, more so after India became independent in 1947. Momentum for a British withdrawal from the Persian Gulf Arab emirates increased during the 1950s, and the British welcomed Kuwait's declaration of independence in 1961. Seven years later, when Britain officially announced that it would disengage (politically, not economically) from the Persian Gulf in three years time, Qatar joined Bahrain and seven other Trucial States in a federation. Regional disputes however quickly compelled Qatar to resign and declare independence from the coalition that would evolve into the seven-imarat United Arab Emirates. Thus 1971 marked the inauguration of Qatar as an independent sovereign state.

Since 1995, Emir Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani has ruled Qatar: he seized control of the country from his father Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani while the latter vacationed in Switzerland. Under Emir Hamad, Qatar has experienced a notable amount of sociopolitical liberalization, including the enfranchisement of women, a new constitution, and the launch of Al Jazeera, the controversial Arabic language satellite television news channel. Qatar ranks as the 11th richest country in the world per-capita [2].

Qatar served as the headquarters and one of the main launching sites of the US invasion of Iraq [3] in 2003.

In 2005 a suicide-bombing that killed a British teacher at the Doha Players Theatre shocked the country, which had not previously experienced acts of terrorism. It is not clear that the bombing was from organized terrorist sources, and although the investigation is ongoing there are indications that the attack was the work of an individual, not a group.

The United States Armed Forces Unified Combatant Command unit for the Middle East theater, known as CENTCOM (US Central Command), has its headquarters in Qatar. Qatar also hosts a large United States Air Force base.

Qatar held the West Asian Games in 2005. Qatar will host the fifteenth Asian Games in December 2006.


Politics

Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, Emir of QatarMain articles on politics and government of Qatar can be found at the Politics and government of Qatar series.
According to the Universal Declaration on Human Rights standards, the Qatari authorities seem to keep a relatively tight rein on freedom of expression and moves for equality.

In Qatar, the ruling Al Thani (آل ثاني) family continued to hold power following the declaration of independence in 1971. The Emir functions as head of state, and the right to rule Qatar resides within the Al Thani family. Politically, Qatar has started to evolve from a traditional society in the direction of a modern welfare state. In order to meet the requirements of social and economic progress, the authorities have established Government departments.

The Basic Law of Qatar (1970) institutionalized local customs rooted in Qatar's conservative Wahhabi heritage, granting the Emir pre-eminent power. Continuing traditions of consultation, rule by consensus, and the citizen's right to appeal personally to the Emir all influence the Emir's role. The Emir, while directly accountable to no one, cannot violate the Shari’a (Islamic law) and, in practice, must consider the opinions of leading notables and of the religious establishment. The Advisory Council, an appointed body that assists the Emir in formulating policy, has institutionalized the position of such influential groups. Qatar has no electoral system, and imposes a ban on political parties.

The influx of expatriate Arabs has introduced ideas that call into question the tenets of Qatar's traditional society, but no serious challenge to Al Thani rule has emerged.

In February 1972, the Deputy Ruler and Prime Minister, Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad, deposed his cousin, Emir Ahmad, and assumed power. The key members of Al Thani supported this move, which took place without violence or signs of political unrest.

On June 27, 1995, the Deputy Ruler, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa, deposed his father Emir Khalifa in a bloodless coup. Emir Hamad and his father reconciled in 1996. Increased freedom of the press followed, and the Qatar-based Al Jazeera television channel (founded in late 1996) has acquired a unique reputation as a free and uncensored source of news in Arab countries.

According to BBC, in April 2006 Qatar announced that it will give $50m USD (£ 28m) to the new Hamas-led Palestinian government. Many Western countries have cut off financial support to Palestine since its election of a Hamas-led government.

In May 2006, Qatar pledged more than $100 million to Hurricane Katrina relief to colleges and universities in Louisiana affected by the hurricane.

On September 4, 2006, Qatar became the first Arab nation to commit troops for the U.N. peacekeeping force monitoring the cease-fire between Lebanon and Israel, pledging 200 to 300 soldiers. [4]


Administrative divisions
Main article: Municipalities of Qatar
Qatar is divided into ten municipalities (Arabic: baladiyah), also occasionally translated as governorates or provinces:

Ad Dawhah
Al Ghuwariyah
Al Jumaliyah
Al Khawr
Al Wakrah
Ar Rayyan
Jariyan al Batnah
Ash Shamal
Umm Salal
Mesaieed

Economy
Main article: Economy of Qatar

Qatar's great wealth is most visible in its capital, Doha.Before the discovery of oil the economy of the Qatari region focused on fishing and pearling. After the introduction of the Japanese cultured pearl onto the world market in the 1920s and 1930s, Qatar's pearling industry faltered. However, the discovery of oil reserves, beginning in the 1940s, completely transformed the nation's economy. Now, the country has a high standard of living, with many social services offered to its citizens and all the amenities of any modern nation.

Qatar's national income primarily derives from oil and natural gas exports. The country has oil reserves estimated at 15 billion barrels (2.4 km³). Qataris' wealth and standard of living compare well with those of Western European nations. Qatar has the highest GDP per capita in the developing world. Qatar is also one of the two least taxed sovereign states in the world with no income tax

While oil and gas will probably remain the backbone of Qatar's economy for some time to come, the country seeks to stimulate the private sector and develop a "knowledge economy". In 2004 it established the Qatar Science & Technology Park to attract and serve technology-based companies and entrepreneurs, from overseas and within Qatar.


Geography

Map of QatarMain article: Geography of Qatar
The Qatari peninsula juts 100 miles (160 km) into the Persian Gulf from Saudi Arabia. Much of the country consists of a low, barren plain, covered with sand. To the southeast lies the spectacular Khor al Adaid or 'Inland Sea', an area of rolling sand dunes surrounding an inlet of the Gulf.

The highest point in Qatar occurs in the Jebel Dukhan to the west, a range of low limestone outcrops running north-south from Zikrit through Umm Bab to the southern border, and reaching about 295 feet (90 m) ASL. This area also contains Qatar's main onshore oil deposits, while the natural gas fields lie offshore, to the northwest of the peninsula.


Demographics
Main article: Demographics of Qatar
Nearly all Qataris profess Islam. Besides ethnic Arabs, much of the population migrated from various nations to work in the country's oil industry. Arabic serves as the official language, but many residents understand English.

Expatriates form the majority of Qatar's residents. The petrochemical industry has attracted people from all around the world. Most of the expatriates come from South Asia and from surrounding non-oil-rich Arab nations. Because the expatriates are overwhelmingly male, Qatar has the most heavily skewed sex ratio in the world, with 1.88 males per female


Culture
Main article: Culture of Qatar

Beach in QatarQatar explicitly uses Wahhabi law as the basis of its government, and the vast majority of its citizens follow this specific Islamic doctrine. Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab founded Wahhabism, a puritanical version of Islam which takes a literal interpretation of the Qur'an and the Sunnah. In the eighteenth century, Abd Al-Wahhab formed a compact with the al-Saud family, the founders of Saudi Arabia.

In the early twentieth century, when the Al-Thanis realized that converting to the doctrine of their larger neighbor might bode well for the survival of their régime, they imported Wahhabi Islam from Saudi Arabia to Qatar. Perhaps as an effect of the importation, Wahhabism takes a less strict form in Qatar than in Saudi Arabia, though it still governs a large portion of Qatari mores and rituals. For example, almost all Qatari women wear the black abaya (also donned in Saudi Arabia) - however, the government of Qatar does not universally impose the style on foreigners, or Qatari females. The abaya is mainly passed down from generation to generation and is still present because of the traditional values of the country.

Further information: Music of Qatar

Qatari law
When contrasted with other Arab states such as Saudi Arabia or Kuwait, Qatar has comparatively liberal laws. Women can drive in Qatar, whereas they may not legally drive in Saudi Arabia.

The country has undergone a period of liberalization and modernization after the current Emir of Qatar, Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, came to power after overthrowing his father. For example, women can dress mostly as they please in public (although in practice local Qatari women generally don the black abaya). Before the liberalization, it was taboo for men to wear shorts in public. The laws of Qatar tolerate alcohol to a certain extent. However, public bars in Qatar operate only in expensive hotels (whereas the emirates of Dubai and Bahrain allow the establishment of nightclubs and other venues). A further liberalization may take place in order to accommodate the 15th Asian Games in 2006.


Education
Main article: Education in Qatar

Weill Medical College's international campus in QatarIn recent years Qatar has placed great emphasis on education. Along with the country’s free healthcare to every citizen, every child has free education from kindergarten through college. The country has a university, the University of Qatar, and a number of higher educational institutions. Additionally, with the support of the Qatar Foundation, major American universities have opened branch campuses in Education City, Qatar. These include Carnegie Mellon University, Georgetown University, Texas A&M University, Virginia Commonwealth University and Cornell University's Weill Medical College. In 2004 Qatar established the Qatar Science & Technology Park at Education City to link those universities with industry.

In November of 2002 the Emir Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani created the Supreme Education Council. The Council directs and controls education for all ages from the pre-school level through the university level, including the "Education for a New Era" reform initiative.

The Emir's second wife, Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al-Missned, has been instrumental in new education initiatives in Qatar. She chairs the Qatar Foundation and is on the board of Qatar's Supreme Education Council


Notes
^ The pronunciation of Qatar in English varies; see list of words of disputed pronunciation for details. In terms of English phonemics, the vowels sound halfway between short u /ʌ/ and broad a /ɑ/. The q and the t have no direct counterparts, but are closest to the unaspirated allophones of English k and t. However, since these allophones can not occur in these positions in English, in this context they will sound more like English g and d. So the closest pronunciation, according to English phonemics, to the original Arabic is /ˈɡɑd.ɚ/ or /ˈɡʌd.ɚ/.

Answer 2

Hi am from Qatar so i think help u.

Qatar is a beutifull country and Indians rule the majority.
Qatar is a small country but a cool 1.
bout food u get all kind of food in Qatar ex:N.Indian S.indian Europian,American,Egyptian,Arab.

And coming 2 people U can meet all kinds of people from all the corners of the world.

And if you have ur family wid u Qatar is just nothing but Heaven.

U get all facilities in Qatar but u cant own ur own business.2 own a business u need 2 b in Qatar 4 20 years.

U will go crazy if u enter any shopping mall in Qatar
THEY ARE REALLY HUGE.

The currency of Qatar is QatariRiyals commonly called riyal.
The conversion is approximately - 1riyal = 12 Indian Rupees

I think this helped u
:)

Answer 3

These facts are complete questionable at best. CIA factbook? You say widespread massacres and then cite Bosnia. In Bosnia, it was the Muslims being massacred. Why should anybody take this seriously when you start off by disseminating garbled information? There are so many fallacies in the "statistics" that I don't even know where to begin. Just for one of many examples of why this is unsound, let's start with Ethiopia, a country devastated and utterly exploited by colonial rule. Do you think that maybe, just maybe, POVERTY has something to do with the violence there? The United States is one of the most violent countries in the world with the largest prison population by far. What is the most dangerous place in the world right now, worse even than Iraq? Mexico. A Catholic country. Any time you speak of a group as a single united class, "Muslims recruit from prisons,etc." you are disseminating a stereotype. For example would it be fair to say "Christians rip people off with outrageous bible prophecies" and attribute that quality to the whole group just because Camping did it? Think about it. Be fair. Be decent. See beyond the desire to simplify things and hate people.

Answer 4

Capital Doha
25°18′N 51°31′E
Largest city Doha
Official language(s) Arabic
Government Traditional monarchy
- Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani
- Prime Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifah Al Thani
Independence 1
- from UK protectorate September 3, 1971
Area
- Total 11,437 km² (164th)
(4,416 sq mi)
- Water (%) Negligible
Population
- July 2006 est. 839,213 (158th 2)
- 2004 census 744,029[1]
- Density 74/km² (121st)
(192/sq mi)
GDP (PPP) 2005 estimate
- Total $25.01 billion (102nd)
- Per capita $31,397 (11th)
HDI (2003) 0.849 (40th) – high
Currency Riyal (QAR)
Time zone (UTC+3)
- Summer (DST) (UTC+3)
Internet TLD .qa
Calling code +974
1.) Ruled by the Al Thani family since the mid-1800s

2.) Rank based on 2005 estimate

TO KNOW EVERYTHING ELSE ABOUT THIS PLACE PLZ GO TO...

Answer 5

Qatar is located in the Arabian Gulf, rich of oil and have a very ancient history.

Population:8,63,051
Area :11,437 sq.km.
Food : All Arabian delicacies
People :religion:Islam; race:Arabic
Places :Capital-Doha Since it is a small country we may not
find other cities of major significance.
In addition to these may I add the following:
Literacy :82.5%
Life Expectancy:73.14 years.
Currency :Riyal
Per capita incom:US Dollar 21,500 (India's is 3,100)

Answer 6

-qatar is such a nice place but its too hot I amean the weather of course

-food they eat evry thing there is many chainrestorent there like burger king etc .....

-people I dont kno too much about them but they seem nice

-places there is many great places u can go 2 it find it on googel earth
-I think its nice 2 live in qatar

Answer 7

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qatar

Answer 8

I use the cia world factbook for alot of projects i have to do for school, and I find it to be very useful.

Answer 9

visit
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qatar

Answer 10

YES AS SAID ABOVE JUST GO TO:- www.wikipedia.org

Answer 11

Hi.

Try this link.

www.mofa.gov.qa