Modern states /
Qatar
State of Qatar
Arabic: dawlatu qatar

Play national anthem Search 'Qatar' Major cities Doha 400,000 Rayyan 240,000 Wakrah 30,000 Umm Salal Muhammad 20,000 All figures are 2005 estimates.		Status Independent monarchy (emirate), divided into 9 municipalities (baladiya(t)). Day of independence: September 3, 1971 (from Britain). Government Head of state: Hamad bin Khalifa ath-Thani. Crown prince: Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani. Prime minister: Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Thani. National Assemblies: There is an advisory council with 35 members. Geography Inhabitants: 670,000 (2005 estimate). Census March 1, 1997: 522,000. Population growth rate: 3.0% Total area: 11,437 kmē Density: 71 per kmē Border: 60 km (Saudi Arabia). Coastline: 563 km. Highest point: Qurayn Abu al-Bawl 103 m Arable land: 1.3% Capital: Doha Human Development Index World rank (of 177): 46 Index (1.0 max): 0.844 Explanation Demography Ethnic groups: Arabs 40%, Pakistani 18%, Indian 185, Iranians 10%, other 14%. Languages: Arabic (official), English. Religions: Sunni Islam, Hinduism, Christianity. Economy Currency: Rials (QAR) 1 Rial=US$0.27. US$1=3.64 (fixed)

Climate and Geography
The peninsula of Qatar is mostly flat and stony arid land, while the desert in the south of the country is sandy. The highest point of Qatar is 83 metres above sea level.
Qatar has one of the harshest climates in the Persian Gulf. It is very dry, with an annual rainfall of less than 130 mm/year. Summers are long and hot with high humidity, while winters are pleasantly cool in daytime, but can be freezing at night.
Vegetation and wild life is extremely limited, due to climatic conditions. Most animals are small, and adjusted to desert living. Only the north has some vegetation.
Qatar borders Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates, while Bahrain's Hawar Islands is a few kilometres off the Qatari coast.
Qatar is strongly urbanized with 90% of the population living in towns and cities.