Source: MAPS IN MINUTES™ © RH Publications (1997)

A country of Arabia. It is bounded by Saudi Arabia inland and by Bahrain to its west.

Physical

Qatar is a hot arid country occupying a peninsula of desert on the southwest of the Persian Gulf.

Economy

The economy and exports of Qatar are dominated by natural gas and crude oil, which are present both on-shore and offshore. Oil and natural gas account for about half of GDP and around 90% of export earnings. It controls around a third of the global market for liquefied natural gas (LNG) and has the third largest reserves of natural gas in the world. Industries include oil-refining, gas liquefaction, ammonia, fertilizers, petrochemicals, cement, and steel. As a result of its oil wealth the country has the highest per capita incomes in the world.

History

Historically linked with Bahrain, Qatar was under Bahraini suzerainty for much of the 19th century. In 1872 it came under Ottoman suzerainty, but the Ottomans renounced their rights in 1913. In 1916 Qatar made an agreement with Britain which created a de facto British protectorate. Oil was discovered in 1939 and exploited from 1949. The agreement with Britain was terminated in 1968 and Qatar became fully independent in 1971, under a constitution by which the Emir, Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad al-Thani would govern as Prime Minister. Qatar provided bases for UN forces in the Gulf War, after which it strengthened its links with Iran. In 1995 the Emir was overthrown in a bloodless coup by his son, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, who embarked on a programme of liberal reforms. This caused mounting tension with Bahrain and Saudi Arabia and led to an attempted coup in 1996. A new constitution in 2005 provided for an elected majority in the Advisory Council, whose members had previously been appointed by the Emir. In 2011 Qatar supported the rebellion in Libya against President Gaddafi. Shaikh Hamad abdicated in 2013 in favour of his son Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani. Surprising many, Qatar was awarded the 2022 World Cup; it has also undertaken a massive building programme, leading to accusations that it is exploitating the 1.5 million migrant construction workers in the country.