| • | Became an independent state on September 3, 1971 (national celebration day is December 18) |
| • | Population (not including foreign workers) of over 825,000 (2008) |
| • | GDP real growth rate of over 8% (2007) |
| • | Oil and gas account for more than 60% of the GDP, 85% of export earnings, and 70% of government revenues |
| • | Proved oil reserves in excess of 15 billion barrels (over 20 years of supply at present output) |
| • | Proved natural gas reserves in excess of 25 trillion cubic meters (15% of the world’s total and the 3rd largest in the world) |
| • | Top liquefied natural gas (LNG) exporter |
| • | Capital (and largest city) is Doha |
| • | Doha International Airport is located 5 km from Doha’s city centre (the airport services 23 regional and international airlines and is the hub of the award winning Qatar Airways) |
| • | Qataris’ enjoy one of the highest standards of living in the world due to their government’s provision of “world class” health care and education (all free) |
| • | Qatar has no income tax and is also one of the two least-taxed sovereign states in the world |
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| World's longest marine causeway to boost Bahrain's role as economic hub [gulfnews.com] 04/01/09 |
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