Qatar

Qatar is a peninsular state (a territory projecting into the sea, connected to the mainland on one side) extending from the eastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula into the Persian Gulf. Saudi Arabia is its only land neighbor. The capital is Doha, and the official currency is the Qatari riyal (QAR). The state is a monarchy ruled by an Emir from the Al Thani family.

The population is approximately three million, but Qatari citizens form a small proportion of this total; most inhabitants are foreign workers from Asia and Africa. The economy depends on exports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and oil reserves, which have brought the country to the highest levels globally in per capita income when measured by purchasing power parity (PPP).

Geography and climate

The terrain is flat and monotonous, with few hills. The climate is hot and arid, with summer temperatures reaching extreme highs and rainfall very low. Consequently, most drinking water comes from desalination plants, which makes water security a critical concern.

Political history

Until 1971, Qatar was under a protective treaty with the British Empire; it declared independence that year. The subsequent development of oil and then gas production brought major changes to the economy and social structure. In 1996, the television network Al Jazeera was launched from Doha, giving the country significant media influence beyond the region.

In June 2017, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Egypt imposed a blockade on Qatar in diplomatic, trade, and travel matters, accusing it of supporting terrorist groups; Doha denied these allegations. The dispute was formally resolved in January 2021 when a reconciliation agreement was signed at the GCC summit in Al-Ula, Saudi Arabia.

Economy and energy

The backbone of the economy is the North Field, the world's largest single natural gas field. QatarEnergy, the state-owned company, is pursuing an ambitious program to increase LNG production capacity from its current level of 77 million tonnes per year to approximately 142 million tonnes per year by 2030. The country also holds significant investments through sovereign wealth funds with assets distributed globally.

Migrant workers and rights

The labor market was long governed by the kafala (sponsorship) system, which tied foreign workers to an employer-sponsor. In 2019–2020, Qatar implemented reforms: abolishing exit visa requirements that had restricted many workers' movement, allowing workers to change employment without sponsor permission or a letter of no objection (NOC), and establishing a binding monthly minimum wage of 1,000 riyals, accompanied by food allowances and housing if not provided by the employer. International bodies have acknowledged significant progress, but have warned that actual implementation remains the greatest obstacle.

Foreign affairs

Qatar has pursued a foreign policy of mediation, hosting negotiations on Afghanistan, Sudan, and other disputes, and hosting the largest U.S. military base in the region. It is a member of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), the Arab League, and the United Nations. Relations with Somalia center on development assistance, education, and investment, particularly since 2017.

Society and culture

The official language is Arabic, though English is widely used in commerce and education. The official religion is Islam. In 2022, Qatar hosted the FIFA World Cup, the first time the tournament was held in an Arab country; the preparations involved extensive construction of stadiums, a metro system, and hotels, and also prompted international scrutiny of working conditions in the construction sector.