About Qatar

The Qatar Peninsula is an Arab country whose terrain consists of desert and a beach overlooking the Persian Gulf. Doha is the capital that is also located on the coast, and is known for its futuristic skyscrapers and other modern architecture very inspired by ancient Islamic design, such as the Limestone Museum of Islamic Art. The museum is located on the city's waterfront promenade.

Geographic Location

Latitudes 24° 27' and 26° 10 North

Longitudes 50° 40' and 51° 40 East

Area

Total land area of Qatar is approximately 11,636.8 square kilometers .The area was calculated based on the total Zone area for census 2020.

Law

Shari'a (Islamic law) is the principal source of legislation

Flag of the State of Qatar

The national flag of the State of Qatar has the color of red ruby (Ladaam) crossed white color, with a nine heads carried out in the maroon color.

Climate

Qatar is dominated by a desert climate. Its summers are hot, with annual averages ranging between (30 - 50) degrees Celsius during the summer months, and its winters are warm between (8 - 22).

Capital City

Qatar’s capital city is Doha (in Arabic, ad-Dawḥa, which means ‘the big tree’)

Population

Qatar has a population of about 2,404,776 million.

Religion

Islam is the official religion of the State of Qatar

Language

Arabic is the official language of the country

Rulers of Qatar

His Highness Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani

Amir of the State of Qatar 2013 - Now

His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani assumed his duties as Amir of the State of Qatar on 25th June 2013, following the announcement of His Highness The Father Amir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, in an address to the Qatari people, of his decision to hand over power to his Heir Apparent and the pledge of allegiance to HH Sheikh Tamim by the Qatari people as the new Amir. HH had a remarkable and constructive contribution to Qatar National Vision 2030, as he was entrusted by HH The Amir at the time to chair the Supreme Committee for planning the vision of the country until launched in 2008.

Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani

1995 - 2013

He is the former Amir of the State of Qatar, and one of its iconic leaders, and the architect of its modern revival. During his reign, which witnessed massive economic, social and cultural development, the State of Qatar extended its status amongst the Arab and international community.

Sheikh Khalifa Bin Hamad Al Thani

1972 - 1995

Sheikh Khalifa Bin Hamad Al Thani is the Sixth Ruler of the State of Qatar. His reign had seen many achievements such as the re-organization of the government, the Interim Basic law was amended, the country concluded a number of agreements to extract and market oil, schools and colleges were set up and the first university in the country was established.

Sheikh Ahmad Bin Ali Al Thani

1960 - 1972

The Fifth Ruler of Qatar and the first Ruler to bear the title "Amir". He was noted for his solemnity, wisdom and careful discretion in tackling issues. He followed a path of conciliation and consolidation of common word, during his reign the Shura (advisory) Council was formed and the first interim basic law was promulgated.

Sheikh Ali Bin Abdullah Al Thani

1949 - 1960

Sheikh Ali Bin Abdullah Al Thani is the fourth Ruler of the State of Qatar. He was known by solemnity wisdom, forbearance, pursuance of a path of conciliation and consolidation of common word, the high moral character, high personal traits and noble qualities. During his tenure the country exported the first oil shipment, marking the actual entry into the oil age, and a new period of social and economic development.

Sheikh Abdullah Bin Jassim Al Thani

1913 - 1949

Sheikh Abdullah Bin Jassim Al Thani is the third Ruler of the State of Qatar. He was known for his piety, righteousness and vast knowledge. During his tenure the first oil well was drilled in the country. He proved himself as a shrewd and gifted negotiator during the negotiations with oil companies. He was a far-sighted statesman.

Sheikh Jassim Bin Mohammed Bin Thani

1878 - 1913

Sheikh Jassim Bin Mohammed Bin Thani is The founder of the State of Qatar. A military leader, judge and scholar, knight and poet possessing both gallantry and magnanimity. For the sake of defending Qatar he fought many wars, and perils could not impede his inclination to defy hardships, end injustice and protect the oppressed. He run the affairs of the country along with his ageing father in 1876. Following the passing away of his father on 18 December 1878, he succeeded him in running the affairs of the country with the support of the Qatari people.

Sheikh Mohammed Bin Thani

1851 - 1878

Sheikh Mohammed Bin Thani is the first Ruler of Qatar and one of its eminent leaders. He united the Qatari tribes and the country in a difficult stage, and was known of wisdom, far-sightedness and love of literature and poetry.

History of Qatar

Ubaid Civilization

4th & 5th B.C

In the 5th century B.C. Greek historian Herodotus referred to the seafaring Canaanites as the original inhabitants of Qatar (Qatar in History, MFA, State of Qatar 2005). The geographer Ptolemy has shown in his map the Arab word ‘Qatara’ as believed to be referred to the Qatari town of Al-Zubara.

Qatar in the Islamic History

7th Century

In the middle of the 7th century AD, the Qatar peninsula and the surrounding region were under the rule of the Al Munzir Arabs. Their king, Al-Munzir Ibn Sawi al Tamimi, embraced Islam, making Qatar to enter, ever since, the realm of the Islamic civilization and participate in all its successive stages and eras.

Abbasid State

14th Century

Qatar experienced great economic prosperity under the Abbasid Caliphate State during the 14th Century AD. The Qataris aligned with the Turks to drive out the Portuguese in 16th century AD. Subsequently, Qatar, like the entire Gulf region, came under Turkish rule for four centuries (Qatar in History, MFA, State of Qatar 2005). Ottoman sovereignty, however, was only nominal as the real power and the control were in the hands of Sheikhs and princes of local Arab tribes.

Turkish Rule

16th Century

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End Of Ottoman Rule

18th Century

In the aftermath of First World war in 1914, the Turkish rule in Qatar came to an end when the leader of Al-Thani signed a protection treaty with Britain in 1916 which was limited to supervision of some administrative matters. Initially Al Thani family settled in Al Zubarah on the northwest coast of the peninsula which became the centre for pearl diving and trading. They later moved to Doha. During the mid-nineteenth Century, Sheikh Mohd. Bin Thani, the head of the Al Thani family took over as the first governor of Qatar (Michele Barrault in ‘Regards Qatar’)

Treaty with Britain

1868 - 1970

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British Withdrawal & Independence

1970

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Post Independence

Era of Qatar

The present Emir of the State of Qatar is His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani. The Heir Apparent is H. H. Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, supported by the cabinet headed by the Prime Minister H. H. Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin JaborAl-Thani .The Emir acceded to power on the 27th of June 1995, supported by ruling family and Qatari people.

About Qatar

Rulers of Qatar

His Highness Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani

Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani

Sheikh Khalifa Bin Hamad Al Thani

Sheikh Ahmad Bin Ali Al Thani

Sheikh Ali Bin Abdullah Al Thani

Sheikh Abdullah Bin Jassim Al Thani

Sheikh Jassim Bin Mohammed Bin Thani

Sheikh Mohammed Bin Thani

History of Qatar

4th & 5th B.C

7th Century

14th Century

16th Century

18th Century

1868 - 1970

1970

Era of Qatar

Qatar Map 1995 and 2019

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