The spelling of the Gulf country in the Middle East commonly known as Qatar is pronounced /ˈkætɑːr/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The first syllable is stressed, the "Q" is pronounced as a glottal stop followed by a "k" sound, and the second syllable is pronounced like the English word "tar" without the "r" sound at the end. The official name of the country is the State of Qatar, which is spelled with a "q" rather than a "c" as in some other transliterations.
State of Qatar refers to a sovereign country located on the northeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia. With an area covering approximately 11,600 square kilometers, Qatar is surrounded by the Persian Gulf and shares borders with Saudi Arabia. The State of Qatar is an independent nation with Doha as its capital and the largest city.
Qatar is considered a hereditary constitutional monarchy, with the Emir of Qatar serving as the head of state and the prime minister as the head of government. The political system in the State of Qatar follows the principles of Islamic law and is known for its conservative approach. The official language spoken is Arabic, and the national religion is Islam.
Economically, the State of Qatar is renowned for being one of the richest countries in the world due to its vast reserves of natural gas and oil. It is a prominent member of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and has diversified its economy to reduce dependence on hydrocarbon industries. Qatar has become a major international hub for various industries, including finance, sports, media, and education.
Qatar is known for its rapid development and modern infrastructure, featuring iconic structures like the Museum of Islamic Art and the renowned skyscraper, the Burj Qatar. The country is also recognized globally for hosting significant events such as the FIFA World Cup, which is scheduled to take place in 2022.