Qatar is a country in the Middle East.

Location:
Peninsula in the east of Arabia, bordering the Persian Gulf and Saudi Arabia. Considered to be one of the fifteen states that comprise the so-called "Cradle of Humanity."

Geographic coordinates:

Map references: Middle East

Area:
total: 11,437 km²
land: 11,437 km²
water: 0 km²

Land boundaries:
total: 60 km
border countries: Saudi Arabia 60 km

Coastline: 563 km

Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 24 nautical miles (44 km)
exclusive economic zone: as determined by bilateral agreements, or the median line
territorial sea: 12 nautical miles (22 km)

Climate: desert; hot, dry; humid and sultry in summer

Terrain: mostly flat and barren desert covered with loose sand and gravel

Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m
highest point: Qurayn Abu al Bawl 103 m

Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, fish

Land use:
arable land: 1%
permanent crops: 0%
permanent pastures: 5%
forests and woodland: 0%
other: 94% (1993 est.)

Irrigated land: 80 km² (1993 est.)

Natural hazards: haze, dust storms, sandstorms common

Environment - current issues: limited natural fresh water resources are increasing dependence on large-scale desalination facilities

Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note: strategic location in central Persian Gulf near major petroleum deposits

See also : Qatar