Qatar

In brief

Qatar is a country in Western Asia. Its capital is Doha. With 3 million inhabitants in 2025, it ranks 136th in the world by population, out of the 195 countries recognised by the UN. Its area is 11,586 km². It shares land borders with Saudi Arabia.

GDP per capita stands at $72,525 (2025), 12th in the world. Life expectancy at birth is 82.5 years (2024). 99% of the population lives in cities.

History of Qatar

Long focused on pearl diving, Qatar has been ruled by the Al Thani family since the mid-19th century. A British protectorate from 1916, it became independent on 3 September 1971. Oil, and above all natural gas from the North Field, one of the largest in the world, made it one of the richest countries per person on the planet. Qatar founded the Al Jazeera channel in 1996 and in 2022 hosted the first football World Cup held in an Arab country.

Geography of Qatar

Qatar is a flat desert peninsula jutting into the Persian Gulf. Its only land border connects it to Saudi Arabia.

Map of Qatar

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Flag of Qatar

The flag of Qatar is red and white. Its official proportions are 11:28 (height to width).

• Red68%
• White32%

Share of the flag’s surface taken by each colour.

What the flag stands for

Maroon, with a white serrated band of nine points, recalling that Qatar was the ninth emirate to sign a treaty with Britain. Its proportions, 11 by 28, make it the most elongated national flag.

Sources: Wikipedia, articles “Qatar” and “Flag of Qatar”.

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Fact file

Economy and society