Qatar: Pearl of the Persian Gulf

Qatar's history stretches back 50,000 years, with evidence of Stone Age settlements and tools found across the region. During the Ubaid period (c. 6500–3800 BC), it was part of the Dilmun civilization, which included modern-day Bahrain and parts of Saudi Arabia and Iraq, with key sites like Al Da'asa revealing early trade and settlement patterns.

The Islamic era saw Qatar become a pearl trading and horse breeding center, particularly under the Umayyad and Abbasid caliphates, with significant developments like the Murwab settlement in the 9th century, featuring over 100 stone-built houses, two mosques, and a fort.

The Portuguese influenced the region in the 16th century, controlling trade routes until the Ottomans expelled them in the late 17th century. In 1783, the Al Khalifa family from Kuwait took control, leading to conflicts like the Qatari–Bahraini War (1867–68), resolved with British intervention recognizing Qatar's distinctness.

Ottoman rule from 1871 to 1915 saw the Al Thani family maintain autonomy, notably after the Battle of Al Wajbah in 1893. Qatar became a British protectorate in 1916, with oil discovered in 1939 and exports starting in 1949, leading to independence in 1971.

Post-independence, it played a role in the 1991 Gulf War and saw reforms under Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani from 1995, including launching Al Jazeera and women's suffrage. In the 21st century, Qatar's economic growth, driven by the North Field gas, and hosting the 2022 FIFA World Cup highlight its global presence.