Factbox: Qatar

Qatar is a country in the Persian Gulf that shares a southern border with Saudi Arabia. The capital is Doha. Its strategic location in the Persian Gulf means it has major petroleum deposits.

Qatar is a country in the Persian Gulf that shares a southern border with Saudi Arabia. The capital is Doha. Its strategic location in the Persian Gulf means it has major petroleum deposits.

Population: 1.68 million

Male to female ratio: 3:1

Official language: Arabic

Independence day: September 3, which marks the date in 1971 when the country gained independence from the United Kingdom

Chief exports: Oil and gas. These two resources have made Qatar the second highest per-capita income country, after Liechtenstein. It is has the highest GDP in the Arab world, and the average income is over $US83,000. It also has one of the lowest tax rates in the world

Religion: Predominantly Muslim. Nearly 78 per cent of the population follows the faith

Government: led by an Emir (or Amir)

Sport: Football is the most popular sport in the country, though cricket, horse racing and tennis are also very popular





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Source: SBS



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