Short facts about the geography of Qatar

Location:

Middle East, peninsula bordering the Persian Gulf and Saudi Arabia

Geographic coordinates:

25 30 N, 51 15 E

Map references:

Middle East

Area:

total:  11,437 sq km land:  11,437 sq km water:  0 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly smaller than Connecticut

Land boundaries:

total:  60 km border countries:  Saudi Arabia 60 km

Coastline:

563 km

Maritime claims:

contiguous zone:  24 NM exclusive economic zone:  as determined by bilateral agreements or the median line territorial sea:  12 NM

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 sq km (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, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified:  Law of the Sea

Geography - note:

strategic location in central Persian Gulf near major petroleum deposits

Source: World Factbook