Glance at the State of Qatar

Location

The State of Qatar is located on the eastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula. Its territory is composed of a number of islands, including Halul, Shraouh, Al-Asshat and others.

Area

The area of the State of Qatar covers 11,521?square kilometers.

Capital City

Doha is the capital city, the seat of government and the location of the main commercial and financial institutions. More than half of the population lives in Doha. The city is also considered a major cultural hub with various museums and education centers.

Major Cities

Doha, Al Wakrah, Al Khor, Al Shamal, Dukhan, Msaieed, and Ras Laffan.

Climate

Qatar has a dry, subtropical desert climate, with low annual rainfall and hot and humid summers. During winter, rainfall is minimal and does not exceed 75.2 millimeters per year on average. During the summer, temperatures range between 25 and 46 degrees Celsius.

Religion

Islam is the official religion of the state and Sharia (Islamic Law) forms the basis of legislation, according to Qatar's constitution. A significant number of people worshipping different religions also live in Qatar.

Language

Arabic is the official language of the country. English is widely spoken as a second language.

Economy

Qatar's growth noticeably accelerated after 1995, when His Highness the Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani came to power and expanded Qatar's domestic and international policies. The country has developed a profile in keeping with its status as the world's primary liquefied natural gas (LNG) exporter.

As a result, Qatar has become an economic leader in the Middle East and a major center for global business and tourism. It successfully hosts several major international events, and looks forward to hosting the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

National Day

Qatar's National Day is celebrated annually on Dec. 18 to mark the date in 1878 when Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani succeeded his father and led the country toward unity and pride.