4000 BC

Ubaid pottery from Mesopotamia found in Qatar is thought to be the world’s earliest evidence of international trade.

3000 - 1000 BC

Qatar flourishes as a trading port between Mesopotamia and the Indus Valley.

2nd Century AD

Greek geographer identifies “Qatara” on his map of the Arab world.

628

Qatar is one of the first civilizations to convert to Islam.

1515

The country comes under Portuguese influence.

1847

Sheikh Mohammed bin Thani, predecessor of the current ruling family, relocates its base to Doha.

1850

Three Bedouin tribes, the ancestors of the majority of contemporary Qataris, moved to the peninsula in search of fresh water.

1868

Treaty with Britain recognizes Qatar’s independence from Bahrain.

1893

Sheikh Qassim bin Mohammed Al Thani, the founder of the modern state of Qatar, defeats Ottoman forces.

1940

Oil is discovered at Dukhan.

1971

3 September, Qatar becomes an independent state.

1973

Qatar University

1975

Qatar National Museum

1991

Production of gas begins in Qatar’s North Field

1996

Al Jazeera launches the first independent Arab satellite news channel, breaking the monopoly of state controlled media in the region.

2008

Qatar National Research Fund

2009

Qatar Science and Technology Park opens; an important step in realizing a knowledge-based society

2012

New Doha International Airport will open, effectively tripling Qatar’s international passenger capacity to meet growing demand.