Vibrant, evolving, innovative and exciting are just some of the ways people describe Qatar. A blend of business sense, family values, cutting-edge technology, multiculturalism and traditional principles makes Qatar truly unique.
Qatar’s population is young with more than 70 per cent under the age of 30, which adds to Qatar’s dynamism, energy and enthusiasm to evolve. Qatar is the first Arab Gulf country to grant women the right to vote and here women are academics, entrepreneurs and leaders. With an increasingly educated, well-travelled and worldly population, Qataris are in the business of building bridges across cultural and geographical boundaries.
Qataris are now harnessing natural resources and human potential to transform their society into one of educational, technological, sustainable and commercial excellence. Qatar welcomes ideas and innovations that help the nation tackle complex issues. It is in this spirit of openness and exchange that Qatar has defined its role and its objectives for the future.
Qatar National Vision 2030 was developed with the aim of achieving sustained development and economic progress for the nation. The document, produced by Qatar’s General Secretariat for Development Planning and published in 2008, outlines a comprehensive framework for Qatar’s way forward. The plan rests on four pillars: environmental, human, social and economic development.
A key objective is the transformation of Qatar from a carbon-based economy to a knowledge-based economy. In keeping with this vision and spearheaded by Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, Qatar is investing enormous resources into education, science and research initiatives.
The country’s local population has welcomed more than a million foreign guests – residents who, under Qatari patronage are assisting the nation in its transformation.
Doha is also a prominent cultural center, with outstanding museums, an annual film festival, classical and contemporary music and a growing role as a sporting nation, who is proud to host the football World Cup in 2022.
The People
There are approximately three million people living in Qatar. More than half of the population lives in the capital city, Doha. Three-quarters of the Qatari population are Muslim, while the remaining population practice a variety of other religions. The official language is Arabic, although English is commonly spoken. Over the years, the thriving economy has attracted a large number of expatriates, particularly from neighboring Arab states.
Geography
Qatar occupies a peninsula that is approximately 100 kilometers wide and extends 200 kilometers into the Arabian Gulf. It also includes several gulf islands. Qatar shares its southern border with Saudi Arabia and a maritime border with Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Iran. The land of Qatar is mainly flat, covered in sand and gravel. As a result, most development is along the coast.
Climate
Qatar is an arid country characterized by its hot humid summers and mild winters. Temperatures in the summer can rise to 50°C and winter temperatures can vary between 7°C and 24°