At a Glance

Official Name: State of Qatar

Continent: Asia (Middle East)

Area: 4,416 square miles (11,437 sq km)

Population: 769,152

Capital City: Doha

Largest City: Doha (300,000)

Unit of Money: Qatari riyal

Major Languages: Arabic (official), English

Literacy: 79%

Land Use: 1% arable land, 5% pastures, 94% other

Natural Resources: Petroleum, natural gas, fish

Government: Monarchy

Defense: 400 million

The Place

Qatar is a peninsular country in the Middle East that lies on the larger Arabian peninsula. The country has 350 miles (560 km) of coastline on the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Bahrain. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the west and the United Arab Emirates to the south.

Much of Qatar's land is flat, stony desert. The land gradually rises in the east to a central limestone plateau. Hills reach heights of up to 130 feet (40 m) along the western coast. Southern sections of the country have barren salt flats and sand dunes dominate in the southeast. Less than 1% of Qatar's land is arable and vegetation is found only in the north.

Qatar has hot summers and cool winters. Temperatures can rise to 120°F (49°C) in the summer. The country receives about 4 inches (10 cm) of rain a year. Qatar has little natural water and must distill water from the sea. The government has dug wells for crops and distributes free seeds and insecticides to help people grow grains and fruit.

The People

Approximately 40% of Qatar's population is Arab. More than two-thirds of the country's people were born in other countries. Native-born inhabitants are called Qataris. Most work in the cities or in oil fields. Many people move to Qatar from other Arab countries to work in the oil fields. Oil is one of the country's most important exports.

Most of the population lives in or near Doha in houses or apartments. Qataris prefer to wear traditional Arab clothes, but some wear Western styles. Most people practice Islam.

Qatar has a population density of 139 people per square mile (54 people per sq km). Its population increases at an annual rate of 3.35%. Life expectancy is 72 years.

Qatar's population has one of the highest average incomes per person in the world due to the country's great oil wealth. The government provides free health care and housing for the poor.

Children ages 6 to 16 must attend school. Qatar has about 160 schools. The country's literacy rate is 79%.