About Qatar

General information:
Qatar is a peninsula situated halfway along the West Coast of the Arabian Gulf. It has a number of islands, the most important of which are Halool, Shira'aw, Al-Ashat and others. Its topography consists of a rocky flat surface with some limestone outcrops in Dukhan area in the west and Fuwairit area in the north. The surface is full with characteristic depressions called Rawdat, particularly in the north and central plants.

Land Area:
Area 11, 437 square km

Population:
907,229 (July 2007 est.)

Capital City:
Doha city, capital of Qatar, on the east coast of the Qatar Peninsula, in the Arabian Gulf. About three-fifths of Qatar's population lives within the city's limits. Situated on a shallow bay

Official Language:
Arabic is the official language in Qatar, and English is widely spoken.

Religion:
Islam is the official religion of the country and the Shariah (Islamic Law) is the principal source of legislation in the country.

Climate:
Qatar has a moderate desert climate with long hot summers and short pleasant winters with little rain in winter. The strong northwest wind, which often brings dust storms, is known as the shamal.

Major Towns:
Doha, Al Wakrah, Al Khor, Dukhan, Al Shamal, Mesaieed, Ras Lafan and others.

Economy:
The discovery of oil reserves, beginning in the 1940s, completely transformed the nation’s economy.  Qatar’s national income primarily derives from oil and natural gas exports.  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 development a “knowledge economy”.  In 2004 it established the Qatar Science and Technology Park to attract and serve technology-based companies and entrepreneurs, from overseas and within Qatar.  Qatar is also one of the two least taxed sovereign states in the world with no income Tax. 

The country has a high standard of living, with many social services offered to its citizens and all the amenities of any modern nation.