Official name: State of Qatar
Capital city: Doha 1,350,000. Other cities — Messaieed, Al-Khor, Dukhan, Ruwais
Area: It is a small country: 11,437 square kilometers (4,427 square miles); about the size of Connecticut and Rhode Island combined
Population: 1.9 million
People: Qatari (Arab) 15%; other Arab 13%; Indian 24%; Nepali 16%; Filipino 11%; Sri Lankan 5%; Bangladesh: 5%; Pakistani 4%; other: 7%
Languages: Arabic (official); English (widely spoken)
Religions: Islam is the predominant religion: 71.5% of the population are Sunni Muslim and about 10% Shi’a Muslim; 8.5% are Christian and 10% are “Other”
Currency: Riyal
Government type: Emirate
U.S. – Qatar relations:
The United States established diplomatic relations with Qatar in 1972 following its independence from the United Kingdom. Bilateral relations are strong, with the United States and Qatar coordinating closely on regional diplomatic initiatives and cooperating to increase security in the Persian Gulf. The two countries have a defense pact, and Qatar hosts CENTCOM Forward Headquarters. Qatar has supported North Atlantic Treaty Organization and U.S. military operations in the region. Hundreds of Qataris study in the United States, and several U.S. universities have branch campuses in Qatar.
Reference: U.S. State Department
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