Qatar is a peninsula, 11,437 square km in area, which project from the Arabian mainland. It is approximately 160 km in length and 80 km in width at its widest point.

Overall, the country is very flat, rising to only 110 m at its highest point, and the land mass largely consists of scrubby desert terrain, covered in sand and loose gravel.

The country is largely formed of limestone deposits and clays, laid down in various geologically defined eras.

A broad North-South arch dominates the structure of the land, with the Dukhan anticline to the west, while the coastal areas are mostly characterised by salt flats, with an area of high sand dunes in the southeast.

Lying in the path of strong prevailing southeasterly winds.

The waters of the Arabian Gulf surround by far the majority of the country.

The coastline of Qatar extends for some 560 km, while the only land border of 60 km separates the country from Saudi Arabia.

There are several shallow natural harbours: Doha, Wakrah and Messaieed being the most notable of these. Qatar enjoys a typical desert climate, with mild winters subject to very limited,

though erratic, rainfall, often in the form of violent storms. The average winter temperatures are from 20 - 30 °C, while during the hot,

humid summers the thermometer frequently registers over 40 °C.