According to petwithsupplies, Qatar is a small country located in the Middle East, near the Persian Gulf. It has a population of 2.7 million people and its capital city is Doha. Qatar is a rapidly developing country with a growing economy that has been driven by oil and natural gas exports. The largest cities in Qatar are Doha, Al Wakrah, Ar Rayyan, Al Khor, Umm Salal Muhammad, Dukhan, Al Wukayr, and Fuwayrit. The city of Doha is the capital of Qatar and is the largest city in the country with an estimated population of 1.6 million people. It serves as an important hub for business and finance in the region and houses many international businesses as well as some of Qatar’s most important government offices. Additionally, Doha is home to many luxury hotels and resorts as well as several shopping malls. Al Wakrah is the second-largest city in Qatar with an estimated population of 130 thousand people. It lies just south of Doha and serves as an important port for both commercial shipping activity as well as recreational activities such as fishing and water sports. Ar Rayyan lies to the north of Doha and has a population of around 200 thousand people. It serves primarily as a residential area but also contains some industries such as food processing plants. Al Khor lies to the northeast of Doha and has an estimated population of around 80 thousand people. It serves primarily as a residential area but also contains several industrial areas including metal fabrication plants, oil refineries, petrochemical plants, shipyards, power plants, cement factories, textile mills and more. Umm Salal Muhammad lies just north of Ar Rayyan with a population estimated at around 60 thousand people; it serves primarily as a residential area but also contains some light industries such as food processing plants. Dukhan lies further west from Al Khor with an estimated population of 40 thousand people; it serves primarily for oil production operations but also contains some small industries such as food processing plants and metal fabrication shops. Al Wukayr and Fuwayrit are two of the smallest cities in Qatar with an estimated population of around 20 thousand people each; they serve primarily as residential areas but also contain some small industries such as food processing plants. Qatar is a small nation located in the Persian Gulf, with a population of roughly 1.7 million people. The country gained independence in 1971, and has since then established itself as a major player in the Middle East. This is largely due to its status as the world’s largest exporter of liquefied natural gas (LNG). Qatar has also become an important regional hub for business, finance, and travel. In 2008, Qatar’s political system was based on a constitutional monarchy under the rule of Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. The country was divided into seven municipalities: Doha, Al Wakrah, Ar Rayyan, Al Khor, Umm Salal Muhammad, Dukhan, Al Wukayr and Fuwayrit. The government was composed of a cabinet headed by the Emir with ministerial portfolios divided among members from the ruling family and other members from outside families appointed by the Emir himself. Qatar enjoyed strong ties with other countries in the region such as Saudi Arabia and Kuwait who shared similar religious views and economic interests. Qatar also had close relations with Western powers such as France and Britain who had been involved in protecting its sovereignty since 1971. In addition to these relationships, Qatar maintained positive relations with many countries around the world due to its prominent role as an energy supplier in global markets. On a regional level, Qatar had strong ties to both Iran and Iraq during this period due to their shared Shia majority population while maintaining good relations with its Sunni neighbors such as Saudi Arabia and Bahrain through regional organizations such as the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). In terms of foreign policy during this period Qatar focused on strengthening economic ties with other countries by investing heavily in infrastructure projects throughout Africa and Asia while also taking part in international peacekeeping missions throughout the Middle East region. Check payhelpcenter for Qatar in 2008.