Changes

For centuries, the main sources of wealth were pearling, fishing, and trade. At one time, Qataris owned nearly one-third of the Persian Gulf fishing fleet. With the Great Depression and the introduction of Japan's cultured-pearl industry, pearling in Qatar declined drastically.  

For centuries, the main sources of wealth were pearling, fishing, and trade. At one time, Qataris owned nearly one-third of the Persian Gulf fishing fleet. With the Great Depression and the introduction of Japan's cultured-pearl industry, pearling in Qatar declined drastically.  

The Qataris are mainly Sunni Muslims.Salafi Islam is the official religion, and Islamic jurisprudence is the basis of Qatar's legal system, although civil courts have jurisdiction over commercial law. Education is compulsory and free for all Arab residents 6-16 years old. Qatar has an increasingly high literacy rate. 85% people are educated.

The Qataris are mainly Sunni Muslims.Salafi Islam is the official religion, and Islamic jurisprudence is the basis of Qatar's legal system, although civil courts have jurisdiction over commercial law. Education is compulsory and free for all Arab residents 6–16 years old. Qatar has an increasingly high literacy rate. 85% people are educated.

==Government and Political Conditions==  

==Government and Political Conditions==  

===Principal Government Officials===

===Principal Government Officials===

*Amir, Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, and Minister of Defense--HH Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani

*Amir, Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, and Minister of Defense—HH Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani

*Heir Apparent, Deputy Chief of the Armed Forces--HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani

*Heir Apparent, Deputy Chief of the Armed Forces—HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani

*Prime Minister--Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani

*Prime Minister—Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani

*Minister of Energy and Industry and Deputy Prime Minister--Abdullah al-Attiyah  

*Minister of Energy and Industry and Deputy Prime Minister—Abdullah al-Attiyah  

*Ambassador to the U.S.--vacant

*Ambassador to the U.S.--vacant

==Defense==

==Defense==

Qatar's defense expenditures are estimated to be in the range of 10% of GDP. Qatar maintains a modest military force of about 12,000 men, including an army, navy, and air force. The country has a public security force of about 8,000 men, including a coast guard, national firefighting force, air wing, marine police, and an internal security force. Qatar also has signed defense pacts with the U.S., U.K., and France. Qatar plays an active role in the collective defense efforts of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC--the regional organization of the Arab states in the Gulf; the other five members are Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, the U.A.E., and Oman). Qatari forces played an important role in the first Gulf War, and Qatar has supported U.S. military operations critical to the success of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.  Al Udeid, one of America's largest Air Force bases, remains a critical asset to operations in both Iraq and Afghanistan.<ref>http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C0CE3DA133DF93BA15757C0A9659C8B63&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=1</ref> Qatar hosts CENTCOM Forward Headquarters.

Qatar's defense expenditures are estimated to be in the range of 10% of GDP. Qatar maintains a modest military force of about 12,000 men, including an army, navy, and air force. The country has a public security force of about 8,000 men, including a coast guard, national firefighting force, air wing, marine police, and an internal security force. Qatar also has signed defense pacts with the U.S., U.K., and France. Qatar plays an active role in the collective defense efforts of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC—the regional organization of the Arab states in the Gulf; the other five members are Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, the U.A.E., and Oman). Qatari forces played an important role in the first Gulf War, and Qatar has supported U.S. military operations critical to the success of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.  Al Udeid, one of America's largest Air Force bases, remains a critical asset to operations in both Iraq and Afghanistan.<ref>http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C0CE3DA133DF93BA15757C0A9659C8B63&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=1</ref> Qatar hosts CENTCOM Forward Headquarters.

==Economy==

==Economy==

$145,300 (2010 est.); Country comparison to the world: 1; GDP (official exchange rate): $126.5 billion (2009 est.). Agriculture - products: fruits, vegetables; poultry, dairy products, beef; fish; Industries: liquefied natural gas, crude oil production and refining, ammonia, fertilizers, petrochemicals, steel reinforcing bars, cement, commercial ship repair. Oil - proved reserves:

$145,300 (2010 est.); Country comparison to the world: 1; GDP (official exchange rate): $126.5 billion (2009 est.). Agriculture - products: fruits, vegetables; poultry, dairy products, beef; fish; Industries: liquefied natural gas, crude oil production and refining, ammonia, fertilizers, petrochemicals, steel reinforcing bars, cement, commercial ship repair. Oil - proved reserves:

25.41 billion bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 12   

25.41 billion bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 12   

<ref> [http://www.theodora.com/wfbcurrent/qatar/qatar_economy.html Qatar Economy 2011, CIA World Factbook.] </ref>

<ref>[http://www.theodora.com/wfbcurrent/qatar/qatar_economy.html Qatar Economy 2011, CIA World Factbook.]</ref>

</blockquote>

</blockquote>

In 1935, a 75-year oil concession was granted to the Qatar Petroleum Company, a subsidiary of the Iraq Petroleum Company, which was owned by Anglo-Dutch, French, and U.S. interests. High-quality oil was discovered in 1940 at Dukhan, on the western side of the Qatari peninsula. However, the start of WWII delayed exploitation of Qatar's oil resources, and oil exports did not begin until 1949.  

In 1935, a 75-year oil concession was granted to the Qatar Petroleum Company, a subsidiary of the Iraq Petroleum Company, which was owned by Anglo-Dutch, French, and U.S. interests. High-quality oil was discovered in 1940 at Dukhan, on the western side of the Qatari peninsula. However, the start of WWII delayed exploitation of Qatar's oil resources, and oil exports did not begin until 1949.  

[[File:Doha Mosque Qatar.jpg|thumb|left|280px|Doha Mosque.]]

[[File:Doha Mosque Qatar.jpg|thumb|left|280px|Doha Mosque.]]

During the 1950s and 1960s gradually increasing oil revenues brought prosperity, rapid immigration, substantial social progress, and the beginnings of Qatar's modern history. When the U.K. announced a policy in 1968 (reaffirmed in March 1971) of ending the treaty relationships with the Gulf sheikdoms, Qatar joined the other eight states then under British protection (the seven trucial sheikdoms--the present United Arab Emirates--and Bahrain) in a plan to form a union of Arab emirates. By mid-1971, as the termination date of the British treaty relationship (end of 1971) approached, the nine still had not agreed on terms of union. Accordingly, Qatar declared independence as a separate entity and became the fully independent State of Qatar on September 3, 1971.  

During the 1950s and 1960s gradually increasing oil revenues brought prosperity, rapid immigration, substantial social progress, and the beginnings of Qatar's modern history. When the U.K. announced a policy in 1968 (reaffirmed in March 1971) of ending the treaty relationships with the Gulf sheikdoms, Qatar joined the other eight states then under British protection (the seven trucial sheikdoms—the present United Arab Emirates—and Bahrain) in a plan to form a union of Arab emirates. By mid-1971, as the termination date of the British treaty relationship (end of 1971) approached, the nine still had not agreed on terms of union. Accordingly, Qatar declared independence as a separate entity and became the fully independent State of Qatar on September 3, 1971.  

In February 1972, the Heir Apparent, Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad, deposed his cousin, Amir Ahmad, and assumed power. Key members of the Al Thani family supported this move, which took place without violence or signs of political unrest.  

In February 1972, the Heir Apparent, Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad, deposed his cousin, Amir Ahmad, and assumed power. Key members of the Al Thani family supported this move, which took place without violence or signs of political unrest.  

{{Asian Countries}}

{{Asian Countries}}

[[category:Middle Eastern Countries]]

[[Category:Middle Eastern Countries]]

[[Category:Muslim-Majority Countries]]

[[Category:Muslim-Majority Countries]]