Qatar Profile

Qatar is a peninsula of 11,437sqm located centrally along the west coast of the Arabian Gulf. The country has a moderate desert climate with hot summers and cool winter.

The ruler of Qatar is the Emir, Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, whose family has been in Qatar since mid-18th century. Modern Qatar economy evolve around oil and gas.

The official language of the country is Arabic but English is widely used. The population in 2008 is estimated at 1.4 million with more than half living in the capital of Doha.

Early Qatar revolve around fishing and pearl-fishing.
A large 'Pearl Statute' reminds Qataris of their roots