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This page was last updated on 28 July, 2005


Map of Qatar



Legend: DefinitionDefinition Field ListingField Listing Rank OrderRank Order
   Introduction    Qatar
Background:
Definition Field Listing
Ruled by the Al Thani family since the mid-1800s, Qatar transformed itself from a poor British protectorate noted mainly for pearling into an independent state with significant oil and natural gas revenues. During the late 1980s and early 1990s, the Qatari economy was crippled by a continuous siphoning off of petroleum revenues by the amir, who had ruled the country since 1972. His son, the current Amir HAMAD bin Khalifa Al Thani, overthrew him in a bloodless coup in 1995. In 2001, Qatar resolved its longstanding border disputes with both Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. Oil and natural gas revenues enable Qatar to have one of the highest per capita incomes in the world.
   Geography    Qatar
Location:
Definition Field Listing
Middle East, peninsula bordering the Persian Gulf and Saudi Arabia
Geographic coordinates:
Definition Field Listing
25 30 N, 51 15 E
Map references:
Definition Field Listing
Middle East
Area:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
total: 11,437 sq km
land: 11,437 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
Definition Field Listing
slightly smaller than Connecticut
Land boundaries:
Definition Field Listing
total: 60 km
border countries: Saudi Arabia 60 km
Coastline:
Definition Field Listing
563 km
Maritime claims:
Definition Field Listing
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: as determined by bilateral agreements or the median line
Climate:
Definition Field Listing
arid; mild, pleasant winters; very hot, humid summers
Terrain:
Definition Field Listing
mostly flat and barren desert covered with loose sand and gravel
Elevation extremes:
Definition Field Listing
lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m
highest point: Qurayn Abu al Bawl 103 m
Natural resources:
Definition Field Listing
petroleum, natural gas, fish
Land use:
Definition Field Listing
arable land: 1.64%
permanent crops: 0.27%
other: 98.09% (2001)
Irrigated land:
Definition Field Listing
130 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:
Definition Field Listing
haze, dust storms, sandstorms common
Environment - current issues:
Definition Field Listing
limited natural fresh water resources are increasing dependence on large-scale desalination facilities
Environment - international agreements:
Definition Field Listing
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
Definition Field Listing
strategic location in central Persian Gulf near major petroleum deposits
   People    Qatar
Population:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
863,051 (July 2005 est.)
Age structure:
Definition Field Listing
0-14 years: 23.7% (male 104,453/female 100,295)
15-64 years: 72.9% (male 437,118/female 191,830)
65 years and over: 3.4% (male 21,599/female 7,756) (2005 est.)
Median age:
Definition Field Listing
total: 31.57 years
male: 36.87 years
female: 22.33 years (2005 est.)
Population growth rate:
Definition Field Listing
2.61% (2005 est.)
Birth rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
15.54 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Death rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
4.61 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Net migration rate:
Definition Field Listing
15.17 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Sex ratio:
Definition Field Listing
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 2.28 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 2.78 male(s)/female
total population: 1.88 male(s)/female (2005 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
total: 18.61 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 21.95 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 15.11 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
total population: 73.67 years
male: 71.15 years
female: 76.32 years (2005 est.)
Total fertility rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
2.87 children born/woman (2005 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
0.09% (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
NA
Nationality:
Definition Field Listing
noun: Qatari(s)
adjective: Qatari
Ethnic groups:
Definition Field Listing
Arab 40%, Pakistani 18%, Indian 18%, Iranian 10%, other 14%
Religions:
Definition Field Listing
Muslim 95%
Languages:
Definition Field Listing
Arabic (official), English commonly used as a second language
Literacy:
Definition Field Listing
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 82.5%
male: 81.4%
female: 85% (2003 est.)
   Government    Qatar
Country name:
Definition Field Listing
conventional long form: State of Qatar
conventional short form: Qatar
local long form: Dawlat Qatar
local short form: Qatar
note: closest approximation of the native pronunciation falls between cutter and gutter, but not like guitar
Government type:
Definition Field Listing
traditional monarchy
Capital:
Definition Field Listing
Doha
Administrative divisions:
Definition Field Listing
10 municipalities (baladiyat, singular - baladiyah); Ad Dawhah, Al Ghuwayriyah, Al Jumayliyah, Al Khawr, Al Wakrah, Ar Rayyan, Jarayan al Batinah, Madinat ash Shamal, Umm Sa'id, Umm Salal
Independence:
Definition Field Listing
3 September 1971 (from UK)
National holiday:
Definition Field Listing
Independence Day, 3 September (1971)
Constitution:
Definition Field Listing
ratified by the Qatari public on 29 April 2003, endorsed by the Emir on 8 June 2004, came into force on 9 June 2005
Legal system:
Definition Field Listing
discretionary system of law controlled by the amir, although civil codes are being implemented; Islamic law dominates family and personal matters
Suffrage:
Definition Field Listing
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
Definition Field Listing
chief of state: Amir HAMAD bin Khalifa Al Thani (since 27 June 1995 when, as crown prince, he ousted his father, Amir KHALIFA bin Hamad Al Thani, in a bloodless coup); Crown Prince TAMIM bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, third son of the monarch (selected Heir Apparent by the monarch on 5 August 2003); note - Amir HAMAD also holds the positions of Minister of Defense and Commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces
head of government: Prime Minister ABDALLAH bin Khalifa Al Thani, brother of the monarch (since 30 October 1996); Deputy Prime Minister MUHAMMAD bin Khalifa Al Thani, brother of the monarch (since 20 January 1998); First Deputy Prime Minister HAMAD bin JASIM bin JABIR Al Thani (since 16 September 2003; also Foreign Minister since 1992); Second Deputy Prime Minister Abdallah bin Hamad al-ATTIYAH (since 16 September 2003; also Energy Minister since NA 1992)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the monarch
elections: none; the monarch is hereditary
note: in April 2003, Qatar held nationwide elections for a 29-member Central Municipal Council (CMC), which has consultative powers aimed at improving the provision of municipal services; the first election for the CMC was held in March 1999
Legislative branch:
Definition Field Listing
unicameral Advisory Council or Majlis al-Shura (35 seats; members appointed)
note: no legislative elections have been held since 1970 when there were partial elections to the body; Council members have had their terms extended every four years since; the new constitution, which came into force on 8 June 2004, provides for a 45-member Consultative Council, or Majlis al-Shura; the public would elect two-thirds of the Majlis al-Shura; the amir would appoint the remaining members
Judicial branch:
Definition Field Listing
Court of Appeal
note: under the new judiciary law issued in 2003, the former two court systems, civil and Islamic law, were merged under a higher court, the Court of Cassation, established for appeals
Political parties and leaders:
Definition Field Listing
none
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Definition Field Listing
none
International organization participation:
Definition Field Listing
ABEDA, AFESD, AMF, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDB, IFAD, IFRCS, IHO (pending member), ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, OPEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, WToO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
Definition Field Listing
chief of mission: Ambassador Badr Umar al-DAFA
chancery: 4200 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20016
telephone: [1] (202) 274-1600 and 274-1603
FAX: [1] (202) 237-0061
consulate(s) general: Houston
Diplomatic representation from the US:
Definition Field Listing
chief of mission: Ambassador Chase UNTERMEYER
embassy: Al-Luqta District, 22 February Road, Doha
mailing address: P. O. Box 2399, Doha
telephone: [974] 488 4101
FAX: [974] 488 4298
Flag description:
Definition Field Listing
maroon with a broad white serrated band (nine white points) on the hoist side
   Economy    Qatar
Economy - overview:
Definition Field Listing
Oil and gas account for more than 55% of GDP, roughly 85% of export earnings, and 70% of government revenues. Oil and gas have given Qatar a per capita GDP about 80% of that of the leading West European industrial countries. Proved oil reserves of 16 billion barrels should ensure continued output at current levels for 23 years. Qatar's proved reserves of natural gas exceed 14 trillion cubic meters, more than 5% of the world total and third largest in the world. Long-term goals feature the development of offshore natural gas reserves to offset the ultimate decline in oil production. In recent years, Qatar has consistently posted trade surpluses largely because of high oil prices and increased natural gas exports, becoming one of the world's fastest growing and highest per-capita income countries.
GDP:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
purchasing power parity - $19.49 billion (2004 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
8.7% (2004 est.)
GDP - per capita:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
purchasing power parity - $23,200 (2004 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:
Definition Field Listing
agriculture: 0.3%
industry: 58.2%
services: 41.5% (2004 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
22.9% of GDP (2004 est.)
Population below poverty line:
Definition Field Listing
NA
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
Definition Field Listing
lowest 10%: NA
highest 10%: NA
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
3% (2004 est.)
Labor force:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
140,000 (2004 est.)
Unemployment rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
2.7% (2001)
Budget:
Definition Field Listing
revenues: $10.17 billion
expenditures: $7.61 billion, including capital expenditures of $2.2 billion (2004 est.)
Public debt:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
NA
Agriculture - products:
Definition Field Listing
fruits, vegetables; poultry, dairy products, beef; fish
Industries:
Definition Field Listing
crude oil production and refining, ammonia, fertilizers, petrochemicals, steel reinforcing bars, cement, commercial ship repair
Industrial production growth rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
10% (2003 est.)
Electricity - production:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
9.727 billion kWh (2002)
Electricity - consumption:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
9.046 billion kWh (2002)
Electricity - exports:
Definition Field Listing
0 kWh (2002)
Electricity - imports:
Definition Field Listing
0 kWh (2002)
Oil - production:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
790,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)
Oil - consumption:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
30,000 bbl/day (2003 est.)
Oil - exports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
NA
Oil - imports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
NA
Oil - proved reserves:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
16 billion bbl (2004 est.)
Natural gas - production:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
32.4 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
15.86 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - exports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
18.2 billion cu m (2004 est.)
Natural gas - imports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
0 cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
14.41 trillion cu m (2004)
Current account balance:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
$5.187 billion (2004 est.)
Exports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
$15 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)
Exports - commodities:
Definition Field Listing
liquefied natural gas (LNG), petroleum products, fertilizers, steel
Exports - partners:
Definition Field Listing
Japan 43.8%, South Korea 16.1%, Singapore 10.8% (2004)
Imports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
$6.15 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)
Imports - commodities:
Definition Field Listing
machinery and transport equipment, food, chemicals
Imports - partners:
Definition Field Listing
France 24.4%, UK 8.9%, Germany 8.8%, Japan 8.7%, US 6.2%, Italy 5.5%, UAE 4.1% (2004)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
$3.351 billion (2004 est.)
Debt - external:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
$18.62 billion (2004 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:
Definition Field Listing
NA
Currency:
Definition Field Listing
Qatari rial (QAR)
Currency code:
Definition Field Listing
QAR
Exchange rates:
Definition Field Listing
Qatari rials per US dollar - 3.64 (2004), 3.64 (2003), 3.64 (2002), 3.64 (2001), 3.64 (2000)
Fiscal year:
Definition Field Listing
1 April - 31 March
   Communications    Qatar
Telephones - main lines in use:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
184,500 (2003)
Telephones - mobile cellular:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
376,500 (2003)
Telephone system:
Definition Field Listing
general assessment: modern system centered in Doha
domestic: NA
international: country code - 974; tropospheric scatter to Bahrain; microwave radio relay to Saudi Arabia and UAE; submarine cable to Bahrain and UAE; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean) and 1 Arabsat
Radio broadcast stations:
Definition Field Listing
AM 6, FM 5, shortwave 1 (1998)
Television broadcast stations:
Definition Field Listing
1 (plus three repeaters) (2001)
Internet country code:
Definition Field Listing
.qa
Internet hosts:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
221 (2004)
Internet users:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
126,000 (2003)
   Transportation    Qatar
Highways:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
total: 1,230 km
paved: 1,107 km
unpaved: 123 km (1999 est.)
Pipelines:
Definition Field Listing
condensate 319 km; condensate/gas 209 km; gas 1,024 km; liquid petroleum gas 87 km; oil 702 km; oil/gas/water 41 km (2004)
Ports and harbors:
Definition Field Listing
Doha, Halul Island, Umm Sa'id (Musay'id)
Merchant marine:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
total: 22 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 525,051 GRT/772,635 DWT
by type: cargo 3, chemical tanker 5, container 8, liquefied gas 2, petroleum tanker 3, roll on/roll off 1
foreign-owned: 6 (Kuwait 6) (2005)
Airports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
4 (2004 est.)
Airports - with paved runways:
Definition Field Listing
total: 2
over 3,047 m: 2 (2004 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
Definition Field Listing
total: 2
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)
Heliports:
Definition Field Listing
1 (2004 est.)
   Military    Qatar
Military branches:
Definition Field Listing
Qatari Amiri Land Force (QALF), Qatari Amiri Navy (QAN), Qatari Amiri Air Force (QAAF)
Military manpower - military age and obligation:
Definition Field Listing
18 years of age for voluntary military service; Land Force's enlisted personnel are largely nonprofessional foreign nationals (2005)
Military manpower - availability:
Definition Field Listing
males age 18-49: 302,873
note: includes non-nationals (2005 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service:
Definition Field Listing
males age 18-49: 238,566 (2005 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually:
Definition Field Listing
males: 7,851 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
$723 million (FY00)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
10% (FY00)
   Transnational Issues    Qatar
Disputes - international:
Definition Field Listing
none

This page was last updated on 28 July, 2005


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