Qatar is a sovereign and independent state, which grants hereditary rule within the Al Thani family. The current Emir, His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani assumed power on June 27th 1995, the 8th member of the family to have ruled the country. Sheikh Hamad, who was born in Doha in 195O, had increasingly been involved in the running of State affairs prior to 1995, having been appointed as both Heir Apparent and Defence Minister in 1977. In line with the country's amended Provisional Constitution, the Emir's third son, His Highness Sheikh Jassem Bin Hamad Al Thani, was appointed as Heir Apparent on October 22nd 1996. Later that month, the Emir took the step of further amending the constitution to separate the posts of Emir and Prime Minister, and appointed his brother,  His Highness Sheikh Abdullah Bin Khalifa Al Thani, as Premier on October 28th 1996. Another brother, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Thani, was later appointed as Deputy Premier.

Qatar is a peninsula, 11,437 sq. kms in area, that projects from the Arabian mainland. It is approximately 160 kms in length and 80 kms in width at its widest point. Overall, the country is very flat, rising to only 110 m at its highest point , and the land mass largely consists of scrubby desert terrain, covered in sand and loose gravel. The country is largely formed of limestone deposits and clays, laid down in various geologically defined eras. A broad North-South arch dominates the structure of the land, with the Dukhan anticline to the west, while the coastal areas are mostly characterised by salt flats, with an area of high sand dunes in the south-east. Lying in the path of strong prevailing south-easterly winds, the peninsula owes many of its features to wind erosion, in addition to significant fluctuations in the level of the sea-bed. The latter is responsible for the fact that Qatar is now separated from Bahrain and from the small islands that surround the peninsula, all of which, at one time, formed a complete land mass.

There are several small islands dotted around the coastline of Qatar. The most significant of these are Halul, located 90 kms off the east coast and used as an oil processing, storage and export terminal, and the Hawar Islands to the west, which are currently the subject of an ownership dispute between Qatar and Bahrain. The resolution of this conflict is in the hands of the International Court of Justice.

Halul Island

desert at Khor Al-Adaid (Indland Sea)

Qatar enjoys (although that is hardly the appropriate word) a typical desert climate, with mild winters subject to very limited, though erratic, rainfall, often in the form of violent storms. The average winter temperatures are from 20 - 30 C, while during the hot, humid summers the thermometer frequently registers over 40C.

By far the majority of the population of Qatar is concentrated in Doha, the capital. Originally a scantily inhabited fishing village (the capital of the area being Zubara, in the north-west until the eighteenth century), Doha rose to relative eminence in the nineteenth century and became the chief town and residence of the Al-Thani family, later to become the rulers of Qatar. The population explosion that has taken place in Doha, however, is entirely a late twentieth-century phenomenon, due to Qatar's oil wealth. It is estimated that 80% of the population of Qatar (in excess of 670,000) live in Doha. The town is constantly expanding in all directions (except eastward, of course) and is characterised by what seems to be a never ending process of construction.

There are many impressive new buildings in Doha, and occasional examples of interesting architecture are to be found. Sadly, few old buildings remain, but careful searching of the down town souk area will reveal some examples of pre-oil indigenous architecture, particularly featuring wind-towers, which were used as a way of exploiting breezes to keep structures cool. The National Museum houses a couple of fine old dwellings, used by previous rulers as residences, which are particularly noteworthy for their surprising economy of scale. There are many impressive new buildings in Doha, and occasional examples of interesting architecture are to be found.

Sadly, few old buildings remain, but careful searching of the down town souk area will reveal some examples of pre-oil indigenous architecture, particularly featuring wind-towers, which were used as a way of exploiting breezes to keep structures cool. The National Museum houses a couple of fine old dwellings, used by previous rulers as residences, which are particularly noteworthy for their surprising economy of scale.

Although the first time visitor may find Doha a confusing place to get around in, it is actually quite well planned, with arterial roads forming concentric arcs parallel to the bay. There is no designated town centre as such, and key locations are to be found scattered all over. Considerable effort has been made in planting trees and shrubs along the roadsides and on central reservations, and this, coupled with the parks dotted around the town give a pleasantly green effect.

Dukhan, located on the central west coast of Qatar, is the heart of the onshore oil and gas industry. Its landscape, characterised by limestone rock formations and hillocks, makes it a little more interesting than most of the rest of the country, and the area boasts some excellent beaches. The town is almost entirely populated by oil and gas personnel and their families and has developed into a small but significant community in its own right. By far the majority of Dukhan's population work for QGPC, the national oil and gas company. Boasting a small school (with more planned for the near future), several restaurants and shops and a social club for residents, it appeals to those who prefer small town life.

Al Khor, until very recently a small, picturesque fishing village on the north-east coast, is poised to become Qatar's second largest urban centre. The focus of the North Field Gas industry, Al Khor is not only being developed as an industrial complex but will also become a major residential area. A beautification programme is currently being implemented in the Corniche area, which, it is hoped, will encourage leisure and tourism activities, while the vital infrastructure required for any urban development is now being developed in the form of schools, a hospital, sports clubs, restaurants etc. Large housing complexes, both villas and apartment blocks, are under construction.

Al-Khor Corniche

Living in Al-Khor, in its present underdeveloped state, is not necessarily appealing to expatriates, but it is hoped that this will change in the near future, as the town grows.
Close to Al-Khor lies the port of Ras Laffan, the terminal for processing and export of LNG from Qatar's North Field. The development of the vast facilities required for LNG compression, storage and shipping has occurred with amazing speed, and a full port has been constructed within the last five years, capable of handling several gas tankers.

Messaieed, located some 45 kms south of Doha on the south east coast of Qatar, is the centre of the oil processing and export industry. The town boasts a commercial port and several refineries and industrial plants. A significant percentage of Messaieed's workers live in the town, which has a pleasant Corniche area, a few useful shops and cafes, in addition to a clinic and a couple of schools. However, it is a very small place, and many families choose to live in Doha, commuting being relatively easy.