About Qatar



Qatar is a sovereign Arab country located in Western Asia, occupying the small Qatar Peninsula on the northeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula. Its sole land border is with Saudi Arabia to the south, with the rest of its territory surrounded by the Persian Gulf. A strait in the Persian Gulf separates Qatar from the nearby island kingdom of Bahrain. In 2013, Qatar's total population was 1.8 million; 278,000 Qatari citizens and 1.5 million expatriates. Although tiny, Qatar wields significant clout because of its natural gas wealth and its sovereign wealth fund, which is one of the worlds largest. In recent years, Qatar has been accused of aiding Islamist militants in a number of countries.

Following Ottoman rule, Qatar became a British protectorate in the early 20th century until gaining independence in 1971. Qatar has been ruled by the Al Thani family since the mid-19th century. Qatar is an absolute monarchy and its head of state is Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. After Saudi Arabia, Qatar is the most conservative society in the GCC as most Qataris adhere to the strict Wahhabi interpretation of Islam. Sharia law is the main source of Qatari legislation according to Qatar's Constitution.

Qatar is the world's richest country per capita and has the highest human development in the Arab World; furthermore, it is recognized as a high income economy by the World Bank. Qatar has the world's third largest natural gas reserves and oil reserves in excess of 25 billion barrels. Qatar has become an influential player in the Arab world. Qatar supported several rebel groups during the Arab Spring both financially and by asserting global influence through its expanding media group, Al Jazeera Media Network. Qatar will host the 2022 FIFA World Cup, becoming the first Arab country to host the event.

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Qatar, a former pearl-fishing centre and once one of the poorest Gulf States, is now one of the richest countries in the region, thanks to the exploitation of large oil and gas fields since the 1940s.

Dominated by the Thani family for almost 150 years, the mainly barren country was a British protectorate until 1971, when it declared its independence after following suit with Bahrain and refusing to join the United Arab Emirates.

In 1995, Crown Prince Hamad bin Khalifa deposed his father to become emir and during his reign introduced some liberal reforms.

Press freedom was extended and the Qatari satellite TV station Al-Jazeera has become one of the most important broadcasters in the Arab world.

Elections in 1999 for a 29-member municipal council were the first in which Qatari women were allowed to vote and stand for office.

A constitution providing for limited democratic reforms came into force in 2005. The new basic law provided for a legislature - the Advisory Council - with 30 elected members and 15 members appointed by the emir.

Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani assumed the role of emir when his father abdicated in June 2013.

The population is small. Foreigners - including laborers attracted by a construction boom - outnumber natives. Oil money funds an all-embracing welfare state, with many services being free or heavily subsidized.

Possessing more than 15% of the worlds proven gas reserves, Qatar has ambitions to become a global energy giant.

Qatar is active on the regional and world stage, having mediated in disputes in the Middle East and Africa. It has also been involved in pursuing an Afghan peace deal.

  • Politics: Ruling monarch Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani inherited the throne from his father in 2013.
  • Economy: Qatar is one of the wealthiest countries in the region because of oil; the government has encouraged diversification.
  • International: Qatar is gaining in regional influence. It owns the forthright satellite TV station Al-Jazeera which has attracted a growing audience as well the displeasure of some neighboring states.


Where is Qatar located?

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Located in the Middle East, Qatar shares its borders with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the west and the Persian Gulf to the east. The Global Peace Index ranks features Qatar as one of 20 most peaceful countries in the world.



Emir of Qatar

H.H. Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad

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Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani (Arabic: الشيخ تميم بن حمد آل ثاني‎; born 3 June 1980) is the eighth and current Emir of the State of Qatar. He is the fourth son of the previous Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. He became Emir of Qatar on 25 June 2013 after his father's abdication. Sheikh Tamim has held a variety of government posts within Qatar and also worked to promote numerous sporting events within the country.

Family: Sheikh Tamim is Sheikh Hamad’s fourth son and was chosen as Crown Prince in August 2003. His mother is the powerful Sheikha Moza, who still plays a prominent public role as an advocate for social and educational causes.

Education: Sheikh Tamim completed his studies at a private school in UK before going on to graduate at the Royal Military Academy in Sandhurst (in 1998). During his time as Crown Prince (2003-13), Sheokh Tamim, had exposure to a wide-range of posts including security (he was deputy commander of the armed forces), economics (chairman of the Qatar Investment Authority) and sports. Indeed he supervised Qatar’s successful bid to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup

Expectations: Qatar exploded onto the world scene under his father’s reign, and expectations are that Sheikh Tamim will try to consolidate these achievements.



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