Qatar declared its independence after the UK announced its decision to withdraw forces from the Arab Gulf states.
Oil revenues make Qatar one of the world's richest countries in per capita terms.
It's future rests on development of its offshore non-associated gas field, the largest in the world, and equal to all US gas reserves. Qatar is a member of the Gulf Cooperation Council. Qatar's major concern is a territorial dispute with Bahrain over the Hawar Islands. Go to Climate Information.