Most of Qatar's land is stony desert. Barren salt flats cover the southern part of the country. Qatar has little natural water. It must distill most of its drinking water, which comes from the sea. The people grew few crops until the late 1950's, when the government dug wells and made crop growth possible.
Oil is Qatar's most important product and chief export.
The exportation of petroleum and petroleum products provides 95 percent of the nation's income. The government encourages the development of manufacturing, farming, and fishing so Qatar will not have to depend entirely on its oil for income. Fertilizers are Qatar's second most important export. Qatar produces enough vegetables for its people but must import much meat and other food, and most manufactured goods. The government aids grain and fruit cultivation by distributing free seeds and insecticides.