Flag of Qatar

What the flag looks like

A maroon field with a white vertical band at the hoist, separated by a serrated edge of nine white points; the flag is unusually elongated, with proportions of 11:28.

What it means

The nine points are said to mark Qatar as the ninth member of the reconciled emirates of the Gulf after a 1916 treaty; maroon recalls blood shed in conflicts and white peace.

How to remember it

Qatar is the extra-long maroon flag with nine white zigzag points; Bahrain's is bright red, shorter and has five.

Fun facts

• It is the only national flag whose width is more than twice its height.
• The maroon is often said to come from red dyes that darkened in the desert sun.

Qatar at a glance

Capital

Doha

Region

Western Asia

Population

2.9 million

Area

11,586 km²

Languages

Arabic

Currency

Qatari riyal (ر.ق)

Flag adopted

1971

Flags often confused with Qatar

• Bahrain: Bahrain and Qatar both have a white hoist band with a zigzag edge. Bahrain is bright red with five points; Qatar is maroon with nine points and a much longer flag.