Doha is the capital and the largest city of Qatar. It serves as the seat of government of Qatar, which is ruled by Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.
Qatar is a peninsula running north into the Persian / Arabian Gulf. It is bounded in the south by the United Arab Emirates. The territory includes a number of islands in the coastal waters of the peninsula, the most important of which is Halul, the storage and export terminal for the offshore oil fields.
What are the administrative divisions of Qatar?
Qatar is divided into eight municipalities.
What is the currency used in Qatar?
The currency of Qatar is the Qatari Riyal (QR). Until 1966, Qatar used the Indian rupee as currency, in the form of Gulf rupees.
What is the official language of Qatar?
Arabic is the national official language. English is also used by a number of people.
What is the official religion of Qatar?
Islam is the official religion of Qatar and is practiced by a great majority (95%) of the people. There are also small populations of Christians, Jews, Hindus, Bahais, and other faiths.
What is the economy of Qatar like?
Petroleum and natural gas and their related manufacturing and integrative industries are the basis of the national economy in Qatar. Oil has given Qatar a per capita GDP that ranks among the highest in the world. The country’s proved reserves of natural gas exceed 25 trillion cubic meters, about 14% of the world total and third largest in the world.
Its successful 2022 world cup bid is likely to accelerate large-scale infrastructure projects such as Qatar's metro system and the Qatar-Bahrain causeway. Qatar is now the richest country in the Muslim world.
When did Qatar gain independence?
During the 1950s and 1960s, gradually increasing oil revenues brought prosperity, rapid immigration, substantial social progress, and the beginnings of Qatar's modern history. When the U.K. announced a policy in 1968 of ending the treaty relationships with the Gulf sheikdoms, Qatar joined the other eight states then under British protection in a plan to form a union of Arab Emirates. By mid-1971, as the termination date of the British treaty relationship (end of 1971) approached, the nine still had not agreed on terms of union. Accordingly, Qatar declared independence as a separate entity and became the fully independent State of Qatar on September 3, 1971.
How are the relations between USA and Qatar?
Ties between the U.S. and Qatar are excellent. The two countries coordinate closely on regional diplomatic initiatives, cooperate to increase security in the Gulf, and enjoy extensive economic links, especially in the hydrocarbons sector. Qatar sees the development of a world-class educational system as key to its continued success. As a result, hundreds of Qatari people study in the United States.
