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Line 67: − − ==People== − Natives of the Arabian Peninsula, many Qataris are descended from a number of migratory tribes that came to Qatar in the 18th century from the neighboring areas of Nejd and Al-Hasa. Some came from neighboring Gulf emirates and others are descended from Persian merchants. Most of Qatar's 907,229 inhabitants live in Doha, the capital. Foreigners with temporary residence status make up about three-fourths of the population. Foreign workers comprise 52% of the total population and make up about 89% of the total labor force. Most are South and Southeast Asians, Egyptians, Palestinians, Jordanians, and Iranians. About 8,000 U.S. citizens reside in Qatar. − − 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. Islam is the official religion, and Islamic jurisprudence is the basis of Qatar's legal system, although civil courts have jurisdiction over commercial law. Arabic is the official language, and English is widely spoken. Education is compulsory and free for all Arab residents 6-16 years old. Qatar has an increasingly high literacy rate. Line 90:
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|pm =Hamad ibn Jaber Al Thani
|pm =Hamad ibn Jaber Al Thani
|pm-raw =
|pm-raw =
|area =4,416 sq mi
|area =4,416 sq mi 11,437 KM2
|pop =841,000 (2007)
|pop =841,000 (2007)
|pop-basis =
|pop-basis =
}}
}}
The '''State of Qatar''' is an [[emirate]] on a [[peninsula]] on the west coast of the [[Persian Gulf]], with a population of over 900,000, although one quarter of that population are foreign workers and their family. The official language is [[Arabic]] and the capital is [[Doha]]. [[English]] is a commonly used second language.
The '''State of Qatar''' is an [[emirate]] on a [[peninsula]] on the west coast of the [[Persian Gulf]], with a population of over 900,000, although one quarter of that population are foreign workers and their family. The official language is [[Arabic]] and the capital is [[Doha]]. [[English]] is a commonly used second language.
==People==
[[File:Qatar people.jpg|left|230px]]
Natives of the Arabian Peninsula, many Qataris are descended from a number of migratory tribes that came to Qatar in the 18th century from the neighboring areas of Nejd and Al-Hasa. Some came from neighboring Gulf emirates and others are descended from Persian merchants. Most of Qatar's 907,229 inhabitants live in Doha, the capital. Foreigners with temporary residence status make up about three-fourths of the population. Foreign workers comprise 52% of the total population and make up about 89% of the total labor force. Most are South and Southeast Asians, Egyptians, Palestinians, Jordanians, and Iranians. About 8,000 U.S. citizens reside in Qatar.
Ethnic groups: Arab 40%, Pakistani 18%, Indian 18%, Iranian 10%, other 14%.
<blockquote>
The various ethnic groups of the country are Arab, Indian, Pakistani, Iranian and so on. Arabic is the official language of Qatar. However, English and Urdu are also spoken widely in various corners of the country. [http://www.mapsofworld.com/country-profile/qatar-economy-people-culture-and-flag.html]
</blockquote>
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. 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==
==Foreign Relations==
==Foreign Relations==
[[File:Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani with Obamas.jpg|thumb|Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani and wife with Obamas.]]
Qatar achieved full independence in an atmosphere of cooperation with the U.K. and friendship with neighboring states. Most Arab states, the U.K., and the U.S. were among the first countries to recognize Qatar, and the state promptly gained admittance to the United Nations and the Arab League. Qatar established diplomatic relations with the U.S.S.R. and China in 1988. It was an early member of OPEC and a founding member of the GCC.
Qatar achieved full independence in an atmosphere of cooperation with the U.K. and friendship with neighboring states. Most Arab states, the U.K., and the U.S. were among the first countries to recognize Qatar, and the state promptly gained admittance to the United Nations and the Arab League. Qatar established diplomatic relations with the U.S.S.R. and China in 1988. It was an early member of OPEC and a founding member of the GCC.
Qatar is well known for being a mediator in the region. The government has brokered peace between Sunni radicals and the Yemeni government,<ref>http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2008/02/2008525134531779340.html</ref> and has also negotiated a peace deal in Lebanon averting a potential civil war.<ref>http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2008/02/2008525134531779340.html</ref> Much of their political capital has been earned through various humanitarian donations. The Qatari government provided $300 million dollars to help rebuild Lebanon after their war with Israel.<ref>http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,212521,00.html</ref> Additionally, after many Western nations cut off aid to Palestine in response to the election of Hamas, Qatar promised $50 million to help maintain the welfare of the state. While the United States has not supported every action taken by the Qatari government, the nation remains an indispensable asset on the road to peace in the Middle East. In response to questions regarding Qatar's positive relationships with both Western and Middle Eastern nations, Prime Minister Al Thani responded "Our ambition is to have prosperity for our people, we would like to be friendly with everyone."<ref>http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/03/04/america/letter5.php?page=2</ref>
Qatar is well known for being a mediator in the region. The government has brokered peace between Sunni radicals and the Yemeni government,<ref>http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2008/02/2008525134531779340.html</ref> and has also negotiated a peace deal in Lebanon averting a potential civil war.<ref>http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2008/02/2008525134531779340.html</ref> Much of their political capital has been earned through various humanitarian donations. The Qatari government provided $300 million dollars to help rebuild Lebanon after their war with Israel.<ref>http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,212521,00.html</ref> Additionally, after many Western nations cut off aid to Palestine in response to the election of Hamas, Qatar promised $50 million to help maintain the welfare of the state. While the United States has not supported every action taken by the Qatari government, the nation remains an indispensable asset on the road to peace in the Middle East. In response to questions regarding Qatar's positive relationships with both Western and Middle Eastern nations, Prime Minister Al Thani responded "Our ambition is to have prosperity for our people, we would like to be friendly with everyone."<ref>http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/03/04/america/letter5.php?page=2</ref>
==Defense==
==Defense==
On June 27, 1995, the Deputy Amir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa, deposed his father Amir Khalifa in a bloodless coup. An unsuccessful counter-coup was staged in 1996. The Amir and his father are now reconciled, though some supporters of the counter-coup remain in prison. The Amir announced his intention for Qatar to move toward democracy and has permitted a freer and more open press and municipal elections as a precursor to expected parliamentary elections. Qatari citizens approved a new constitution via public referendum in April 2003, which came into force in June 2005.
On June 27, 1995, the Deputy Amir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa, deposed his father Amir Khalifa in a bloodless coup. An unsuccessful counter-coup was staged in 1996. The Amir and his father are now reconciled, though some supporters of the counter-coup remain in prison. The Amir announced his intention for Qatar to move toward democracy and has permitted a freer and more open press and municipal elections as a precursor to expected parliamentary elections. Qatari citizens approved a new constitution via public referendum in April 2003, which came into force in June 2005.
In 1996 Al Jazeera launches the first independent Arab satellite news channel, breaking the monopoly of state controlled media in the region and in 2006 Qatar becomes the world’s largest exporter of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and acts as the first Arab host of the Asian Games. [http://www.qatartourism.gov.qa/discover/index/1/207]
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