General Information » Qatar Overview » Geography

The Gulf state of Qatar is a peninsula that is surrounded by the waters of the Arabian Gulf and anchored to the mainland at its border with Saudi Arabia. The country is about 11,437 square kilometres, running roughly 85km wide and 180km long and located in the centre of the Gulf Cooperation Council (G.C.C). Mud flats make up a large portion of the shoreline which is dotted with inlets and coves. The interior terrain is mostly flat, varying from just 6m to 103m above sea level at Qurayn Abu al-Bawl. Some rocky limestone outcrops are found in the most southern parts of the country.

The country also includes several islands such as Sheraouh, Al Aliyah, Al Bushayriyah, Al Safiliyah and, about 80 km northeast of the capital, is Halul. This island, operated by Qatar Petroleum, is of particular importance as it serves as the export terminal for marine crude oil produced from Qatar’s offshore oilfields.

The majority of the population of Qatar resides in the capital city, Doha, however the other major towns include Mesaieed, Dukhan, Al Khor, Al Shamal and Al Wakrah.

Qatar’s subtropical desert means it becomes very hot and humid from June to August when many residents make the summer exodus to their home country to escape the oppressive heat. During the Qatari winter months from November through February, however, the country’s weather is extremely pleasant. Average rainfall is 81 mm per year with an average high temperature of 31°C and lows touching some 22°C. The country is quite dusty and the occasional sandstorms manage to bury grains of sand into the most difficult nooks and crannies around your home.

Qatar is also on the humid side with average humidity highs in the mid 70+% range, although there is a slight dip in the evening. With limited amounts of fresh water from ground wells, rain offers the only respite. But rainfall is very rare, though not as unheard of as some locals might suggest. Due to its extremely sporadic occurrence of rain there are no real gutters on the roads so they can get flooded with standing water when the skies do finally open. Rural wadis fill during the infrequent rainfall satisfying the scarce vegetation. The lack of rainfall means only about one percent of the country is arable, with permanent crops registering barely a blip in the yearly agricultural output.