The discovery of oil in Qatar in 1939, and its commercial exportation which began in 1949, were turning points in Qatar's development, heralding a new era of accelerated progress in a wide range of fields, including administration, infrastructure and the economy, together with associated improvements in the social and cultural arenas.
This new oil-age helped to transform Qatar's economy from its reliance on traditional   marine oriented activities such as pearling and fishing, together with some small scale farming into a modern and much more diversified industrial economy. The flow of oil revenues created a more affluent society and one in which rapid increases in living standards, education and health care services was possible. Along with this came a significant population increase, from an estimated 30,000 in the 1950's to, according to recent census figures, more than half a million people today.
Throughout this period of rapid growth, which commenced in the late 1950s, Qatar has made great strides towards establishing its modern status and independent character. The country's impressive modernisation programme is continuing under its present leader, HH Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, who has expressed a special interest in consolidating the valuable steps that have already been taken within the framework of its Arab and Islamic identity. Plans are now in place to build a modern, strong and promising state which can continue to play a worthwhile role, regionally, within the Arab world as a whole, and within the global environment.

Government

The provisional modified constitution stipulates that Qatar is an independent and sovereign Arab country. Islam is the official religion and the main source of legislation, and the system is democratic. Arabic is the official language and its people are Arabs.
In accordance which its legal constitution, the state supervises and guides the national economy for the welfare of the country and its people. Private property, capital and labour are the main pillars of the country's social structure organised by law. The state guarantees free economic activity provided that it does not conflict with public interest.
The state also guarantees freedom of residence, a free press and respect for personal property. Qatari citizens are assured equal rights and obligations and its responsibility of the state to provide public jobs.
These and other rights are defined within the country's constitution which stipulates the following administrative structure for the government.
The Emir is the Head of State. The system of government is hereditary within the Al Thani Family. Article 17 of the provisional modified constitution stipulates the the Emir shall issue laws according to the proposal of the cabinet and after consultation with the Shura Council (Advisory Council).
The Cabinet, comprising a Council of Ministers, is the highest executive body, and is presided over by HH the Prime Minister.
The Ministers are, at present, thirteen in number, with responsibilities divided as follows:
- Ministry of Defence.
- Ministry of Interior.
- Ministry of Finance, Economy and Trade.
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- Ministry of Civil Service and Housing Affairs.
- Ministry of Communications and Transport.
- Ministry of Electricity and Water.
- Ministry of Energy and Industry.
- Ministry of Municipality and Agricultural Affairs.
- Ministry of Education and Higher Education.
- Ministry of Public Health.
- Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs.
- Ministry of Justice.
The Advisory Council, the first democratic government institution established since independence in 1972, has proved to be successful and is considered to be suitable to the country's political and social circumstances. It has received strong support from HH The Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani who holds regular consultations with the Advisory Council and takes into considerations its recommendations on different issues. In addition the cabinet ministers attend Advisory Council sessions and committees, providing an opportunity for constructive exchange of views and for the ministers to respond to queries raised by council members.

The Country

Qatar generally consists of low-lying naturally arid land with exception of some scattered limestone outcrops at the Dukhan area which is 40 metes above sea level at the western side of the country, the rocky area around Fuwairat in the north, and some dramatic sand-dunes in the south where the towering hills of sand rise almost abruptly from the desert plain.
The coastline is heavily indented in places, creating a series of bays, beaches and natural harbours or khors. Where the water-table come close to the surface, seasonal pools from and a more fertile belt exists towards the north and within the centre of the country, permitting both natural vegetation and agricultural development. The latter industry, aided by modern technology and significant investment, has made considerable strides in recent years helping to achieve the country's goal of self-sufficiency in food production.

History

Artefacts discovered by Danish, British and French archaeological teams in 1965, 1973 and 1976 consecutively, revealed that Qatar has been inhabited by Man since the fourth millennium BC. Excavations have also shown that the Ubaid culture in Mesopotamia extended to the Qatar peninsula. During the fifth century BC., the Greek historian Herodotus wrote that the Kena'an tribes, who were well known for their navigational skills and marine trading activities, were the first inhabitants of Qatar. The Greek geographer Ptolemy, in his map of the Arab World, records the name of Qatara, which is believed to have referred to the famous Qatari town of Al Zubarah, which was one of the most important commercial sea ports in the area.
In the seventh century AD Qatar embraced Islam during the era of its king Al Munthir bin Sawi Al Tameemi. Historical Islamic texts describe the Qatari people's navigational skills, and their participation in the preparation of the first Islamic navy for Jihad under the leadership of Abu Ala'a Al Hadhrami. Meanwhile, Arab historians and travellers also admired the Qatari poet and knight' Qatari ibn al Fuja'h' for his bravery and steadfastness.
The Arab geographer Yaqoot Al Hamawi, in his book Muja'm al Buldan, praised the high status acquired by Qatar in its early manufacture of textiles as well as for its flint arrow-head industry which is called al Rimah al Khatiyah.
During the Abbasid era, in the fourteenth century AD, Qatar experienced a period of economic growth as a result of increased demand for pearls from the Khalifate in Baghdad. Evidence of this period may be found at the Murwab Fort, on the western coast of the country, which reflects the Abbasid style of architecture.
An alliance with the Turks, undertaken in the sixteenth century in order to expel Portugueuse from the region, resulted in Qatar coming under Ottoman influence for more than 400 years, albeit that actual authority was vested in local Arab tribal sheikhs. Following the outbreak of World War I, Qatar signed a protection treaty with Britain in 1916, but the British influence was influenced to some administrative matters.
The Al Thani royal family, who belong to the Tameem tribe from Modhar bin Nizar, and hail from a tribal gathering at Jabrin Oasis south of Najd, moved to Qatar in the early eighteenth century. The family derived its name from its mentor Thani bin Mohammed, father of Mohammed bin Thani, who was the first Sheikh to practice real authority in the Qatar peninsula. HH Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani became the Emir of Qatar on 27 June, 1995.
HH Sheikh Hamad is a strong supporter of the GCC and has stated that: "We have always been keen to strengthen our affiliation to the GCC, and adoption of its noble objectives. We have also worked with our brothers the leaders of the member states to boost its march and activate joint action within its framework.
Out of our Gulf motivated affiliation, we endeavour to support the security and stability of our Gulf region, as Gulf security has become one of the main concerns of its peoples."

Heritage and Culture

Culture and the arts have received strong support in Qatar with the result that the country has an active and vibrant artistic community. Support for this field has been coordinated by the Department of Culture and Arts, which was established in 1977, and which supports preservation and expression of Qatar's heritage through collection of works, together with a full programme of classification, study and analysis. The Department provides financial and moral support to the Qatari folklore troupe, as well as documentation, preservation and revival of handicrafts at the ancient Al Kut Fort. It also sponsors intellectual works, the arts, theatrical and fine arts movements.
In the early 1980's the theatrical movement witnessed new developments culminating in the establishment of Qatar National Theatre in 1982, which accommodates 550 seats and is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment.
As part of Qatar's focus on preservation of its traditional, historic and ancient heritage and encouragement of its cultural attributes, the Ruler's old fort residence in the heart of Doha, the country's capital city, was converted into the headquarters for Qatar National Museum, and is now under direction of the Department of Museums and Antiquities which supervises all Qatar's museums and archaeological digs.

The traditional art if boat building has been nurtured by a special Emiri Workshop which was established for the building and maintenance of traditional ships to preserve the Qashafah or shipbuilding profession. One of its most impressive achievements is construction of a large Bateel vessel by a Qatari shipbuilder (Qallaf). In addition to boat building support is given to a wide range of traditional handicrafts including sadu tailoring, jewellery manufacture, the pearling industry and making of traditional gold and silver embellished clothing.
Qatar's cultural movement remains active, both at home and overseas, through a programme of exhibitions, performances, lectures and readings. Qatari Cultural Weeks, which have been organised in several Arab and foreign countries, provide a valuable focus and celebration of these efforts. Finally, cultural centres in associated with youth movements, also organise a range of cultural and artisitc activities.

Sites of Archaeological and Historical Interest

Qatar National Museum
Established in 1912, and first inhabited by Sheikh bin Abdullah bin Jasim Al Thani, the ruler's residence was renovated and turned into a national museum in 1975.

Al Kut Fort
Established in 1880, Al Kut Fort was renovated in 1978 and became a handicraft exhibition centre.

Folklore Museum
Being the only model of its kind in Doha, and established in 1935, the Folklore Museum is housed in a traditional building with a wind-tower (Badjeir) open from all sides. It was renovated in 1982.

Al Jussasiyah
A series of low rocky outcrops, overlooking the north-eastern coast, which bear hundreds of scattered engravings, some of which are thought to date back to prehistory times.

Murawab Fort
Qatar's oldest fort, ddates back to the Abbasid era in the third century AH and consists of a fort built on the remains of a even older one that had been destroyed by fire.

Al Zubarah Fort
Established by local builders during the era of Sheikh Abdullah bin Jasim Al Thani the, well preserved for its characterised by its high thick walls and decorated tower.

Rukayat Fort
Dating back to the late 1800s, it is considered as a model of military architecture in the Gulf.

Al Ghuwair Fort
A rectangular building, dating back to the early 1900s and characterised by its thick clay and stone walls.

Borj Bazann Tower
Built in late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, this is a unique example of a surveillance towers in the region. It is characterised by its height, large size and decorated edges.

Al Wajbah Fort
Approximately 19 kms west of Doha, the oldest extant tower in Qatar, dating back to the nineteenth century, is the Al Wajbah fort. It was here that a famous battle took place in which Qatari people, led by the then ruler, Sheikh Qasim bin Mohammed Al Thani, defeated the Ottoman force in 1893.

House of Sheikh Mohammed bin Qasim
Situated at Umm Salal Mohammed, approximately 18 kms north of Doha, this is a fortified residence with two towers, serving both civil and defensive purposes, and containing a number of interesting architectural and decorative features.

Environment and Wildlife

The desert environment of the Qatari peninsula varies from low plains in most parts of the country to sand dunes in the south-eastern parts, with isolated sabkha, occasional pools, and well established trees such as sidr (Ziziphus nummularia), harm (Zygophyllum qatarense) and samr (Acacia tortilis) in the north.
Its strategic location in the Gulf region, on the course of many north-south and east-west migrating birds, has made the Qatari Peninsula of particular interest to ornithologists and a focal point for a wide range of resident and visiting birdlife. Most of the recorded migrating species stopover in Qatar during their spring and autumn passages from Europe and Asia to Africa and Southern Arabia. The most famous Qatari bird is the houbara bustard, while Socotra cormorants breed on coastal islands and a wide variety of coastal birds may be seen throughout the year, including povers, herons, terns and gulls. Inland, larks are a feature of the local birdlife with hoopoe lark, crested lark and black-crowned finch lark all present. In autumn the list swells to include swallows, swifts, martins, warblers, shrikes, flycatchers, wheatears, wagtails and a number of falcons including kestrel and harriers.
The Ministry of Municipality and Agricultural Affairs is paying special attention to preservation of endangered indigenous and migrating birds. A number of natural reserves has been established such as al-Wadhaihi in al-Shahaniyah, the gazelle reserve in Ras Ashairij and the ibex reserve on Halool island.
Qatari are known for breeding camels, particularly in the southern area around al-Kar'anah, al-A'reek and al-Qaseerah, Arab thoroughbred camel races are held annually in Qatar.
Coastal marine resources include important sea-grass beds, vital as shrimp, pearloyster and fish nurseries as well as providing feeding grounds for endangered dugong and turtles.

Economic Development

The economic policy of Qatar is based on diversification of national income resources through expansion of industrial and agricultural production, in combination with development of human resources. It also aims to provide a larger role to the private sector. A key objective is to achieve a surplus in the balance of payments through increasing exports and tightening budgetary control through implementation of essential reforms in financial policy.
To this end, several joint stock companies have been established such as the Qatar Manufacturing Company with a capital of QR 400 million and the Qatari Water and Electricity Company at QR 1 billion. Incentives have also been offered to the private sector in order to encourage investment in industrial projects. Several laws have been passed in connection with this programme, including Law 25 of 1990 which deals with organisation of foreign capital investment in economic activity, and Law 11 of 1992 regarding income tax.
So far as the hydrocarbon industries are concerned, Qatar has been able to maintain its oil production capacity, and oil production and exports have continued at levels which meet the country's financial requirements and development needs.
On a worldwide basis Qatar now ranks as the third largest holder of natural gas reserves with estimates of more than 500 trillion cubic feet, and proven reserves of 350 trillion cubic feet. The first phase of development of al-Shamal gas field was opened in 1991 with a production capacity of 6 million tonnes of liquified gas per year. The Ras Laffan liquefied gas per year. The Ras Laffan liquified gas project, established in 1993, aims to produce 10 million tonnes of liquefied gas from Al Shamal gas field.
Qatar has also paid special attention to development of the industrial sector and supported it through investment in manufacturing and quarrying industries. Several incentives were offered to the private sector to encourage investment in industry. A number of industries were established depending on local raw materials such as petrochemicals, chemical fertilisers, gas liquefaction, oil refining, cement, steel and iron.
The private sector has also established several factories for manufacture of foodstuffs, textiles, garments, leather, wood, furniture, paper, chemicals, rubber, plastic, aluminum, machines and equipment.
Particular attention is also paid to agricultural projects which aim at securing self sufficiency. The Qatar government has provided strong support to farmers and has encouraged local capital investment in this sector. The number of registered farms has recently risen to 1131, with 891 active farms, while the overall agricultural area has reached 285,018 donum. Significant agricultural developments include the Mushabiyah Date Palm Project, the Qatari Arab Company for Vegetable Production, the Qatari Arab Company for Poultry Production and the diary and sheep project in Abu Samrah area.
Qatar has modern well-equipped communication and telecommunications networks, connecting it with the world through three earth-stations. Water and electricity are provided free to all citizens and the Qatar government remains committed to providing its citizens with a wide range of services and amenities.

Social Development

Education is free in Qatar at all stages, and students in government schools are provided with free books and transportation, as well as financial incentives.
The standard of living in Qatar is considered one of the best worldwide, thanks to the comprehensive social care programme established two decades ago. Medical care and medicines are available for both citizens and residents, and hospitals and medical centres are equipped with the latest technological devices.
Qatari women participate actively in several social service fields and have played an important role in women's social and charity activities. They have also penetrated all fields of work.
Leisure time facilities are also provided for, including many local attractions such as the zoo, Doha Corniche, al-Wakra and al-Khor parks as well as the 'Alladin King' Fun City. Some might prefer to stroll along the Fourairt, Dukhan and Khor al-A'deed beaches, as well as Sileen resort and al-Nakheel island facilities.
The General Authority of Youth and Sports supervises 13 sport associations and 14 clubs, of which nine are sport clubs, together with the Youth Centres Society.

Qatar at a Glance

Location: The main land-mass of Qatar lies on a peninsula of low-lying land that protrudes from the mainland of eastern Arabia, into the mid-western waters of the Arabian Gulf. It has a number of associated reefs and islands.

Area: 11,437 square kilometers

Climate: Desert temperature climate, characterised by long, hot summers and short winters with low rainfall.

Population: 600,000 people

Independence: 3 September, 1971

Accession Day: 27 June

Religion: Islam

Language: Arabic

Capital: Doha

Important towns: Misaiaeed (the primary industrial city in Qatar), Al Khor, Al Wakrah, Dukhan, Al Shamal, Al Zubarah and Ras Laffan.

Time: 3 hours ahead of GMT.

Currency: Qatari Riyal (US$ 1 = 3.65 QR).

Banks: 14 banks of which 6 are national.

 

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