Qatar is a sovereign state located in Western Asia, occupying the small Qatar Peninsula on the north-eastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula. Its sole land border is with Saudi Arabia to the south, with the rest of its territory being surrounded by the Persian Gulf. Qatar's capital and most populous city is Doha.
Qatar is a relatively young country, having gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1971. Since then, it has undergone a rapid transformation from a poor pearl-diving economy to one of the world's richest countries, due in large part to its vast oil and gas reserves.
Qatar is a constitutional monarchy, with the Emir of Qatar serving as both head of state and head of government. The Emir is hereditary and appoints the Prime Minister and Cabinet. The country has a unicameral legislature, the Consultative Assembly, which has limited powers.
Qatar is a member of the United Nations, the Arab League, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. It is also a major non-NATO ally of the United States.
Here are some of the things that Qatar is known for:
- Oil and gas: Qatar is the world's third-largest producer of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and the fourth-largest producer of crude oil.
- Sports: Qatar is hosting the 2022 FIFA World Cup, and it has also hosted a number of other major sporting events, including the 2006 Asian Games and the 2019 IAAF World Athletics Championships.
- Tourism: Qatar is a popular tourist destination, with a number of attractions, including the Souq Waqif, the Museum of Islamic Art, and the Katara Cultural Village.
- Architecture: Qatar is home to a number of impressive skyscrapers and buildings.
