News: Qatar’s air force shot down two Iranian aircraft and intercepted missiles and drones targeting its energy facilities.
Key Facts About Qatar
- Location: It is located on the northeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula.
- The Qatari peninsula extends about 160 km into the Persian Gulf.
- Borders: Qatar shares a single land border with Saudi Arabia to the south.
- It is surrounded by the Persian Gulf on all other sides.
- The Gulf of Bahrain separates it from Bahrain.
- Capital: Doha is the capital and largest city.
- Topography
- Qatar has a mostly flat and barren desert landscape.
- Sand dunes dominate the southern region, especially in Khor al Adaid or the Inland Sea.
- The north and west have rocky terrain with low limestone formations.
- Salt flats known as sabkhas are also present.
- Major Mountain: The highest point is Qurayn Abu al Bawl at 103 m in Jebel Dukhan.
- Climate: Qatar has a dry desert climate with sunshine all year.
- Winters are mild with an average temperature of 18.5°C in January.
- Summers are very hot and temperatures often reach 40°C.
- The country receives about 70 mm of rainfall annually.
- Economy: Qatar has a high-income economy largely dependent on oil and natural gas.
- Income from these resources and related industries accounts for more than 90 % of annual exports.
- It holds the third largest reserves of liquefied natural gas in the world.
- Strategic Role: Qatar is a member of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
- It hosts a major United States military base at Al Udeid.
