Qatar is a Peninsula situated
halfway along the west coast
of the Arabian Gulf in an
area of 11437 Sq. Km. Its
territory comprises a number
of islands, the most well
knowns of which are Hawar
Archipelago, Halul, Shira'wa
and Al-Ashat.
The topography of the State
generally consists of flat
rocky surfaces with occasional
low hills in the northern
and western parts of the country.
Archeological discoveries,
inscriptions, stone spearheads
and collections of equisite
potteryhandcraft which were
found in scattered areas in
the country by some archeological
expeditions have proven that
the land of Qatar was populated
as early as 4000 B.C. In the
Islamic history a special
credit was attributed to Qatar
for its fine skill in the
improvement and fine finish
of spears,(Known at the time
as The Khottiyah Spears),
and for its fine stripped
woven cloaks (known at the
time as The Qatari Cloaks).
The people of Qatar are the
descendents of ancient Arabian
lines of kinship due to the
close proximity of Qatar to
the Arabian hinterland and
the historical and cultural
heritage shared by people
in all Arabia.The present
population of the State of
Qatar is estimated at about
640846 most of whom live in
the capital city of Doha and
other main towns.
Al-Thani family have ruled
Qatar since the mid 19th century
A.D. The family is a branch
of the Arab tribe of Tamim
and it has its name from that
of its ancestor: Sheikh Thani
Bin Mohammad, the father of
Mohammad Bin Thani who was
the first Sheikh to rule over
the country.
Qatar became an independent
State on the 3rd of September
1971. Arabic is its official
language and Islam is its
offical religion and the main
source of legislation.
On the 27th of June 1995
His Highness Sheikh Hamad
Bin Khalifa Al-Thani assumed
the Emirship of The State
of Qatar, supported by the
ruling family and the Qatari
people.
On the 27th of October 1996
His Highness The Emir issued
an Emiri order appointing
Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al-Thani
as Heir Apparent.
On the 29th of October His
Highnes The Emir issued an
Emiri order appointing His
Highness Sheikh Abdulla Bin
Khalifa Al-Thani as Prime
Minister.
Doha is the capital city,
seat of the government and
the centre for government
departments and financial
and commercial institutions.It
is situated halfway down the
east coast of the Qatar peninsula.
