Qatar was historically a pearl diving and trading center before discovering vast oil and gas reserves in the 20th century. It gained independence from Britain in 1971 and has since developed into one of the world's richest countries, hosting major international events and expanding its influence in global affairs.
Qatar, officially the State of Qatar, is a country located in Western Asia, occupying the small Qatar Peninsula on the northeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula. It shares its sole land border with Saudi Arabia to the south, with the rest of its territory surrounded by the Persian Gulf. Covering an area of approximately 11,581 square kilometers, Qatar has a population of about 2.8 million people as of 2023, with expatriates making up a significant portion of the population. The capital and largest city is Doha. The official language is Arabic, with English widely used as a second language. Qatar operates as an absolute monarchy, with the Emir as the head of state and government. The economy is one of the wealthiest globally in terms of GDP per capita, primarily driven by the extraction and export of oil and natural gas. Qatar is known for its rapid modernization, significant infrastructure developments, and as the host nation for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The country is a member of international organizations such as the United Nations, the Gulf Cooperation Council, and the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries.
