Qatar is a country in the Middle East.
Location:
Peninsula in the east of Arabia, bordering the Persian Gulf and Saudi Arabia. Considered to be one of the fifteen states that comprise the so-called "Cradle of Humanity."
Geographic coordinates:
Map references:
Middle East
Area:
total:
11,437 km²
land:
11,437 km²
water:
0 km²
Land boundaries:
total:
60 km
border countries:
Saudi Arabia 60 km
Coastline:
563 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone:
24 nautical miles (44 km)
exclusive economic zone:
as determined by bilateral agreements, or the median line
territorial sea:
12 nautical miles (22 km)
Climate:
desert; hot, dry; humid and sultry in summer
Terrain:
mostly flat and barren desert covered with loose sand and gravel
Elevation extremes:
lowest point:
Persian Gulf 0 m
highest point:
Qurayn Abu al Bawl 103 m
Natural resources:
petroleum, natural gas, fish
Land use:
arable land:
1%
permanent crops:
0%
permanent pastures:
5%
forests and woodland:
0%
other:
94% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land:
80 km² (1993 est.)
Natural hazards:
haze, dust storms, sandstorms common
Environment - current issues:
limited natural fresh water resources are increasing dependence on large-scale desalination facilities
Environment - international agreements:
party to:
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
strategic location in central Persian Gulf near major petroleum deposits
- See also : Qatar
