Qatar is a sovereign country located in the Middle East, on the northeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the south, the Persian Gulf to the north, and the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Iran across the Gulf.

Qatar is known for its vast natural gas reserves, which have made it one of the wealthiest countries in the world per capita. Its economy has diversified over the years, and the country is now home to several international companies and organizations.

The capital city, Doha, is a bustling metropolis with a mix of traditional architecture and modern skyscrapers. It is home to several museums, including the Museum of Islamic Art, which houses one of the world's most extensive collections of Islamic art and artifacts.

The official language of Qatar is Arabic, and Islam is the dominant religion. The country has a modern legal system based on Islamic law and a strong emphasis on family values. Qatar is also known for its hospitality and is a popular destination for tourists, offering a range of attractions and activities, from luxury shopping and dining to desert safaris and watersports.

Qatar has a strong focus on education and has several reputable universities and schools, including the Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, which supports a range of educational initiatives and research projects.

Telephone Code
974

Local Emergency Phone
999

Vaccinations
See WHO recommendations

Climate
Arid; mild, pleasant winters; very hot, humid summers

Currency (Code)
Qatari rials (QAR)

Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s)
240 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): G

Major Languages
Arabic, English commonly used as a second language

Major Religions
Muslim 65.2%, Christian 13.7%, Hindu 15.9%, Buddhist 3.8%, folk religion <.1%, Jewish <.1%

Time Difference
UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Potable Water
Opt for bottled water

International Driving Permit
Suggested

Road Driving Side
Right

Tourist Destinations
Doha (includes Museum of Islamic Art, the Corniche, Doha Fort, National Museum, Golden Mosque); Al Jassasiya Carvings; Al Wakra Museum; Katara Cultural Village

Major Sports
Soccer, cricket, golf, tennis, horse racing

Cultural Practices
Not all Arab men and women will shake hands with those of the opposite sex; wait to see if they extend their hands first.

Tipping Guidelines
A service charge of 10% is usually added to hotel and restaurant bills, in which case tipping is not necessary, although for exceptional service many people add a bit extra. If there is no service charge, a 10-15% tip is appreciated. Taxi drivers do not expect a tip, but it is polite to round up the fare.

Souvenirs
Pashminas, decorated Korans, incense burners, frankincense, ceremonial swords, dullah and kahwa coffee cups, halawa candy, dried dates

Geography
Area
total: 11,586 sq km
land: 11,586 sq km
water: 0 sq km

Climate
arid; mild, pleasant winters; very hot, humid summers

Natural resources
petroleum, fish, natural gas

People and Society
Population
2,532,104 (2023 est.)

Ethnic groups
non-Qatari 88.4%, Qatari 11.6% (2015 est.)

Languages
Arabic (official), English commonly used as a second language

Religions
Muslim 65.2%, Christian 13.7%, Hindu 15.9%, Buddhist 3.8%, folk religion <0.1%, Jewish <0.1%, other <1%, unaffiliated <1% (2020 est.)

Population growth rate
0.86% (2023 est.)

Government
Government type
absolute monarchy

Capital
name: Doha

Economy
Economic overview
high-income, oil-and-gas-based Middle Eastern economy; better regional integration after 2021 terrorism resolution; infrastructure investments ahead of 2022 World Cup; Islamic finance leader; citizenship-based labor force growth

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$249.636 billion (2021 est.)

Real GDP per capita
$92,900 (2021 est.)

Agricultural products
tomatoes, dates, camel milk, sheep milk, goat milk, pumpkins/gourds, mutton, poultry, milk, eggplants

Industries
liquefied natural gas, crude oil production and refining, ammonia, fertilizer, petrochemicals, steel reinforcing bars, cement, commercial ship repair

Exports
$105.549 billion (2021 est.)

Exports - partners
Japan 17%, South Korea 16%, India 14%, China 13%, Singapore 7% (2019)

Exports - commodities
natural gas, crude petroleum, refined petroleum, ethylene polymers, fertilizers (2019)

Imports
$61.204 billion (2021 est.)

Imports - partners
United States 15%, France 13%, United Kingdom 9%, China 9%, Germany 5%, Italy 5% (2019)

Imports - commodities
aircraft, gas turbines, cars, jewelry, iron piping (2019)