The Government of Qatar
Overview
- Capital: Doha
- Administrative regions: 8 municipalities: Doha (Ad Dawhah), Al Rayyan, Al Wakrah, Al Khor, Umm Salal, Al Shamal, Al Daayen, and Al Shahaniya
- Government & legal system: Absolute hereditary monarchy — the Emir holds full executive, legislative, and judicial authority in practice, advised by a Shura Council (partly elected since 2021, partly appointed). Civil law system, with Sharia law serving as the main source of legislation per the Constitution and governing family and personal-status matters. (government site)
- Head of state / government: Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir (head of state, since 2013); Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior (head of government) (official page)
- Official language(s): Arabic (official)
- National Day: December 18 (Qatar National Day, commemorating Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani’s 1878 accession and the unification of Qatar’s tribes)
- Independence: September 3, 1971 (from Britain)
- Other official holidays: Founder’s Day (coincides with National Day), Sports Day (mid-February), Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs (official site)
- Regional / international memberships: United Nations/ UN, Gulf Cooperation Council, Arab League, Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries/ OPEC
- Visa / entry requirements: Most nationalities receive visa-free entry or a visa on arrival for tourism. Qatar’s Hayya Portal additionally handles event-linked entry permits (originally built for the 2022 World Cup and retained since). (visa info)
- Currency: Qatari riyal (QAR) — notes depict the national emblem, falcons, the Arabian oryx (national animal), and Qatari landmarks rather than portraits of individuals.
- Flag symbolism: Maroon field with a broad white serrated band of nine points along the hoist — the maroon shade, distinct from the plain red used by neighboring Gulf states, traditionally resulted from boiling the local red dye; the nine points represent Qatar’s status as the ninth in a series of reconciled Gulf emirates following an early-20th-century treaty.
