HISTORY OF QATAR
According to various sources, the peninsula of Qatar has been inhabited for around 50.000 years. Archeological findings trace a relation with the culture of Al Ubaid (Mesopothemy 6000 – 4000 a.C.)
In the fifth Century, the Greek geologist Tolomeo put in his map's "Qatra", which is supposed to be the present AL Zubara, a small city in Qatar, which was considered in the past one of the most important ports of the Gulf.
With the Islam expansion in the Arabic peninsula and in the Gulf, Qatar became a part of the Baghdad Caliphate, the principal center of culture and Islamic civilization.
In the course of the successive centuries, the Qatari peninsula continued to be the crossroad of paramount importance.
The ancestors of the present ruling family, "Al-Thani", came to Qatar in 1750 from Najid in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and developed fishing, pearl fishing, palms cultivation and trade. Al Zubarah and Al Khor cities, in particular, became prominent centers of the pearl trade.
Al Bida (Doha today) became the capital of the country, the leader of the Al Thani Family, Sheikh Mohammed, claimed the position of Emir and constituted the State of Qatar. In 1867 the Emir signed, like other countries in the Gulf, a treaty with the English to protect Qatar from Bahrain expansionism. Sheikh Khassim signed in 1872 another treaty of protection with the Turks, who maintained a military presence in Doha till 1915.
In 1935, a petroleum concession was given to Qatar Petroleum Company, a firm of Iraq Petroleum Company, which was owned by an anglo-holland-french-american consortium. Oil was first exporter in 1949. In the fifties and particularly in the sixties, thanks to the oil profit, prosperity and social progress took place and a huge immigration began. This is how the modern story of the country started.
In 1968, the English government announced a policy of military disengagement from the Gulf States. Qatar first joined the proposal of other Emirates of the region (The present Arab United Emirates and Bahrain) which were calling for the constitution of the Union of Arab Emirates; but after, like Bahrain, it became an independent State, on September 3, 1971.
In June 1995, H.H. the Emir Sheikh Khalifa was deposed by his son Hamad with a bloodless "coup d'état".
From 1996, the new Emir has achieved widespread consent both in the country and abroad, accelerating the process of modernization and diversification of the economy and promoting political reform. Under Sheikh Hamad Al-Thani guide, Qatar undertook political civilization and economic modernization.
In April 2003, a referendum approved the first constitution of the Country which entered into force in 2005. The new Constitution states the election of a representative assembly and further extensions of civil and political rights. The press and the radio-television sector have benefited of larger freedom, thanks to which Al Jazeera Satellite television has become the voice of the Arab world.
INSTITUTIONAL STRUCTURE, POPULATION AND SOCIAL INDICATORS
LAND AREA: 11.437 Kmq
STATE FORM: Traditional Monarchy
CAPITAL: Doha
OTHER CITIES: Al Khor, Dukhan, Al Wakrah, Ar Rayyan
OFFICIAL NAME: The State of Qatar
HEAD OF STATE: Emir H.H. Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani (since 1995); Heir Apparent Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani
PRIME MINISTER: Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem bin Jabr Al Thani
MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS: Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem bin Jabr Al Thani (he covers also the position of Prime Minister)
LEGISLATIVE POWER: the new constitution promulgated in June 2004 and entered into force in June 2005, gives the legislative power to the future Parliament (composed of 45 members, 30 of whom elected by universal suffrage). The Emir keep a partial right of veto on the promulgation of laws.
LEGAL SYSTEM: Based on the constitution approved in June 2005.
VOTE: Universal suffrage starting from 18 years old.
MAIN POLITICAL PARTIES: So far no political parties are admitted
QATAR MEMBERSHIP IN INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS: ABEDA, ACC, AFESD, AMF, FAO,G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDB, IFAD, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTOO, WTO.
POPULATION: more than 1 million residents (estimate April 2008)
POPULATION GROWTH RATE: 2,3% (estimate 2008)
EXPECTED LIFE FROM BIRTH: 72 years for men; 77 years for women
ETHNIC STRUCTURE: Qatari (20%); Other Arabs (20%); Indians (18%); Pakistani (18%); Iranians (10%); Others (14%). The law on citizenship is restrictive.
RELIGION: Muslims 75%; Others 25% (Christians and Hindus). Islam is the official Religion of the country. The great majority of population is the Sunni.
LANGUAGE: Arabic is the official language of the country; English is widely used as second language.
For more information about the history of Qatar and its cultural and artistic heritage it is possible to visit the website http://www.heritageofqatar.org created by Carnegie Mellon Qatar Campus and Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar, with the help of the Italian Architect Guido Licciardi who worked for some months with the UNESCO Office in Doha.
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credits | F.A.Q.