A traditional Sheikhdom or Emirate, originally one of the Trucial States (British Protectorates). Its importance is from its oil and gas reserves. Like Saudi Arabia, with which it has a land connection, it has been controlled by the Wahhabi sect of Islam - but their influence is weaker now.

In 1783 the peninsula was invaded by Persia. But they were driven out by the Al-Khalifa family. When they moved to Bahrain and took over the island Qatar was claimed as a part of the state of Bahrain. However, in a war in 1867 the Qataris aided by Abu Dhabi defeated the Bahraini Khalifa.

The British installed the leading man as Shaikh - the head of the Al Thani family who have ruled ever since. The Ottomans claimed the overlordship of the whole area and sent troops in 1871 but they were defeated in 1893 by local forces of the Sheikh. Britain made a treaty with the ruler in 1916 so that it became a protected state like the Trucial states. In 1971 Qatar refused to join the UAE and became independent on its own. There have been low key boundary disputes with Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, over reefs and small islands in the sea between them.

It is a member of the Gulf Co-operation Council but has independent foreign policy including relations with Iran, Iraq and Israel which annoys Saudi Arabia.

There is a major US military base, which was the command center for the attack on Iraq. As the American military leaves Saudi Arabia there is speculation that Qatar may become the new main base for US forces in the area. It is also the base of the Al Jazeera television station, sponosred by the Emir and representing the first all-Arab electronic medium with freedom to report. Its journalists were trained by the BBC and annoy almost all the rulers as well as the Americans with its independent reporting.

Arabic

A Sheikhdom, once a British protectorate. The ruling family, follows the same Wahhabi branch of Islam as the Sauds. There were no elected institutions, but traditional Arab Majlis - in theory anyone can question the ruler and his officials.

There was a Palace coup June 1995 when Defense minister and son of the previous Sheikh took power while his father was in Switzerland. The new ruler shows signs of liberalism: allowing alcohol, selling gas to Israel, allowing an Iraqi embassy, good relations with Iran.

At the end of April 2003 citizens voted for a new constitution. There will be an elected assembly which women can both sit in and vote for. The government will be still be chosen by the Emir, and he will appoint one third of the seats. This suggests a decline in the influence of the Wahhabi Sheikhs.

Oil was discovered in 1940. Natural gas is replacing oil as the main product and the main income of this extremely wealthy state.