It only began issuing tourist visas in 1989, but after a
slow start Qatar has begun to reap the benefits of its new openness.
Visitors are welcomed to a land of glitzy new hotels, towering
sand dunes, ancient rock carvings and distinctive architecture.
Best known for being unknown, Qatar has a habit of falling
off the world's radar. Most foreign maps of Arabia drawn before
the 19th century don't show the Qatar peninsula, and most people
in the West don't even know where it is. Fewer still can pronounce
it (somewhere between 'cutter' and 'gutter').
Full country name: State of Qatar
Area: 11,400 sq km
Population: 800,000
People: Arab 40%, Pakistani 18%, Indian 18%, Iranian 10%
Language: Arabic, English, Urdu
Religion: Islam
Government: traditional monarchy
Head of State: Emir Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani
Head of Government: Prime Minister Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Thani
GDP: US$12 billion
GDP per capita: US$17,100
Annual Growth: 3%
Inflation: 1%
Major Industries: Oil production and refining, fertilisers,
petrochemicals, steel, cement
Major Trading Partners: Japan, EU, Singapore, South Korea
