James Baquet

The Middle Eastern nation of Qatar occupies a small peninsula of the same name, jutting out of the northeastern corner of the Arabian Peninsula. It shares a land border with Saudi Arabia to the south, and is surrounded by the Persian Gulf on the other three sides. Bahrain rests in an arm of the Persian Gulf to Qatar’s northwest, between it and Saudi Arabia. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) lies slightly to the south across the Gulf. Iran is to the east.

Like the UAE, Qatar’s native population is heavily outnumbered by expatriates. While there are only some 313,000 Qataris — about 12 percent — there are 2.3 million foreign workers. About 60 percent of the total population comes from South Asia, with Indians being the largest group. Another 28 percent comes from other parts of the world, the largest group of which is Filipinos.

Qatar has the highest per capita income in the world, and a very high level of human development. It’s the Arab world’s most advanced country in this regard. It has backed progressive moves in other Arab countries, and will host the 2022 FIFA World Cup. A well-known sign of Qatar’s liberalization is the nation’s sponsorship of the Al Jazeera Media Network. Conversely, the country has been under fire for its treatment of foreign workers.

Arabic is Qatar’s sole official language. English is also widely used. With Islam as its official religion, it has been ruled by one dynasty since the early 19th century. Under Bahraini and Saudi rule from 1783 to 1868, the country was subsequently part of the Ottoman Empire from 1871 to 1915, and then under the British until 1971, when it gained independence. Today, its status is somewhat uncertain. With a constitution in place since 2005, it can be seen as a constitutional monarchy. However, since the Emir has the final say in all matters of government, some consider it an absolute monarchy.

A major tourist attraction is the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha, Qatar’s capital and largest city, designed by Chinese American architect I. M. Pei, a native of Guangzhou, and built on its own artificial island at Pei’s insistence.

Vocabulary:

Which word above means:

1. in favor of change or reform

2. the act of financing or supporting something

3. one who designs buildings

4. being criticized

5. provide location and facilities for

6. in the minority

7. government by a king with no limitations

8. India and its surrounding countries

9. loosening up

10. sticking out