Spotlight on Qatar
 
Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani 
Emir since 2013 following father’s abdication


Area: 11,571 sq km

Population: 2.93 million (2021) 
Ratio: Men 75%, Women 25%
Foreigners outnumber Qataris by 8-1

GDP: $179.6 billion (2021) 
Per capita: $61,276
Global Average: $12.259

Natural gas reserves:
24.7 trillion cubic metres (2020)
Third-largest, after Russia and Iran


BAHRAIN
Gulf of Bahrain
SAUDI ARABIA
PERSIAN GULF
QATAR
Umm Salal
Al Udeid Air Base
Al Khor
Doha
Al Wakrah
20km 125 miles


MILESTONES IN QATAR’S HISTORY
1825: Al-Thani dynasty becomes prominent in Qatar and tries to gain independence from Bahrain

1871: Al-Thanis submit to Ottoman rule

1916: Qatar signs treaty with Britain, handing over control of foreign policy in return for protection

1939: Oil discovered. Exploitation delayed by World War II but oil soon replaces pearl diving and fishing
as main source of revenue

1950s: Increasing oil revenues fund expansion and modernisation of infrastructure

1971: Qatar achieves full independence from Britain

1996: Satellite TV news network Al Jazeera launched as Qatar seeks to cultivate reputation for openness

2000s: Rising demand for natural gas propels economy to new heights, projecting Qatar to greater prominence in Middle East

2003: Al-Udeid air base serves as headquarters for U.S.-led military campaign in Iraq

2005: First written constitution takes effect, providing for some democratic reforms

2011: Qatar contributes to NATO-led mission in Libya and supports rebels opposing Gaddafi regime

2014: Qatar and four other Arab states take part in U.S.-led air strikes on Islamic State militants in Syria

2017: Saudi-led Arab coalition imposes economic blockade to pressurise Qatar to cut alleged support for radical and Islamist groups, and distance itself from Iran

2021: Blockade lifted

Nov 2022: Qatar becomes first Middle Eastern country to host FIFA World Cup 


Qatar is mostly desert – 99% of population lives in capital, Doha


Sources: BBC, Encyclopaedia Britannica, Reuters, World Bank, World Population Review 
Pictures: Getty images 
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