GEOGRAPHY
Location:
Middle East, peninsula bordering the Persian Gulf and Saudi Arabia
Map
references: Middle East
Area:
total area: 11,437 sq
km (4,427 sq.mi.)
comparative
area: slightly smaller than Connecticut
Land
boundaries: total 60 km, Saudi Arabia 60 km
Coastline:
563 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 24
nm
exclusive economic zone:
200 nm
territorial sea: 12
nm
Cities:
Capital--Doha 313,600 (1992). Other Cities--Umm Said, Al-Khor,
Dukhan, Ruwais.
International
disputes: territorial dispute with Bahrain over the Hawar
Islands; maritime boundary with Bahrain
Climate:
desert; hot, dry; sultry in summer
Terrain:
mostly flat and barren desert covered with loose sand and gravel
Natural
resources: petroleum, natural gas, fish
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures:
5%
forest and woodland:
0%
other:
95%
Environment:
current issues: limited
natural fresh water resources are increasing dependence on
large-scale desalination facilities
natural hazards: haze,
dust storms, sandstorms common
international
agreements: signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity, Law of
the Sea
Note:
strategic location in central Persian Gulf near major petroleum
deposits
