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This page was last updated on 17 January, 2008


Map of Qatar
Legend: DefinitionDefinition Field ListingField Listing Rank OrderRank Order
   Introduction    Qatar Top of Page
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 Top of Page
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% (2005)
Irrigated land:
Definition Field Listing
130 sq km (2002)
Total renewable water resources:
Definition Field Listing
0.1 cu km (1997)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
Definition Field Listing
Total: 0.29 cu km/yr (24%/3%/72%)
Per capita: 358 cu m/yr (2000)
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, Ship Pollution
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 Top of Page
Population:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
907,229 (July 2007 est.)
Age structure:
Definition Field Listing
0-14 years: 23.1% (male 106,853/female 102,713)
15-64 years: 72.9% (male 455,631/female 206,099)
65 years and over: 4% (male 26,689/female 9,244) (2007 est.)
Median age:
Definition Field Listing
total: 31.9 years
male: 37.3 years
female: 23.1 years (2007 est.)
Population growth rate:
Definition Field Listing
2.386% (2007 est.)
Birth rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
15.56 births/1,000 population (2007 est.)
Death rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
4.82 deaths/1,000 population (2007 est.)
Net migration rate:
Definition Field Listing
13.12 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2007 est.)
Sex ratio:
Definition Field Listing
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 2.211 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 2.887 male(s)/female
total population: 1.852 male(s)/female (2007 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
total: 17.46 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 20.6 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 14.16 deaths/1,000 live births (2007 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
total population: 74.14 years
male: 71.6 years
female: 76.82 years (2007 est.)
Total fertility rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
2.75 children born/woman (2007 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%, Indian 18%, Pakistani 18%, Iranian 10%, other 14%
Religions:
Definition Field Listing
Muslim 77.5%, Christian 8.5%, other 14% (2004 census)
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: 89%
male: 89.1%
female: 88.6% (2004 census)
   Government    Qatar Top of Page
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
emirate
Capital:
Definition Field Listing
name: Doha
geographic coordinates: 25 17 N, 51 32 E
time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
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 public referendum on 29 April 2003, endorsed by the amir on 8 June 2004, effective on 9 June 2005
Legal system:
Definition Field Listing
based on Islamic and civil law codes; discretionary system of law controlled by the amir, although civil codes are being implemented; Islamic law dominates family and personal matters; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
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 heir apparent, he ousted his father, Amir KHALIFA bin Hamad al-Thani, in a bloodless coup); Heir Apparent TAMIM bin Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, fourth 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 HAMAD bin Jasim bin Jabir al-Thani (since 3 April 2007); Deputy Prime Minister Abdallah bin Hamad al-ATIYAH (since 3 April 2007)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the monarch
elections: none; the monarch is hereditary
note: in April 2007, 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 9 June 2005, 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; preparations are underway to conduct elections to the Majlis al-Shura
Judicial branch:
Definition Field Listing
Courts of First Instance, Appeal, and Cassation; note - the Amir appoints all judges - based on the recommendation of the Supreme Judiciary Council - for renewable three-year terms
Political parties and leaders:
Definition Field Listing
none
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Definition Field Listing
none
International organization participation:
Definition Field Listing
ABEDA, ACC, AFESD, AMF, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDB, IFAD, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
Definition Field Listing
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires A.I. Fahad Mohamed KAFOUD
chancery: 2555 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20037
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 (vacant); charge d'Affaires Michael A. RATNEY
embassy: Al-Luqta District, 22 February Road, Doha
mailing address: P. O. Box 2399, Doha
telephone: [974] 488 4298
FAX: [974] 488 4176
Flag description:
Definition Field Listing
maroon with a broad white serrated band (nine white points) on the hoist side
   Economy    Qatar Top of Page
Economy - overview:
Definition Field Listing
Qatar is in the midst of an economic boom supported by its expanding production of natural gas and oil. Economic policy is focused on development of Qatar's nonassociated natural gas reserves and increasing private and foreign investment in non-energy sectors. Oil and gas account for more than 60% of GDP, roughly 85% of export earnings, and 70% of government revenues. Oil and gas have made Qatar one of the world's faster growing and higher per-capita income countries - equal to the EU in 2007 per-capita income. Sustained high oil prices and increased natural gas exports in recent years have helped build Qatar's budget and trade surpluses and foreign reserves. Proved oil reserves of more than 15 billion barrels should ensure continued output at current levels for 22 years. Qatar's proved reserves of natural gas are roughly 25 trillion cubic meters, about 15% of the world total and third largest in the world. Qatar has permitted substantial foreign investment in the development of its gas fields during the last decade and became the world's top liquefied natural gas (LNG) exporter in 2007.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
$68.87 billion (2007 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):
Definition Field Listing
$33.93 billion (2007 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
7.8% (2007 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
$75,900 (2007 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:
Definition Field Listing
agriculture: 0.1%
industry: 73.5%
services: 26.4% (2007 est.)
Labor force:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
638,000 (2007 est.)
Unemployment rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
0.7% (2007 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
12% (2007 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
43.5% of GDP (2007 est.)
Budget:
Definition Field Listing
revenues: $23.5 billion
expenditures: $19.61 billion (2007 est.)
Public debt:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
23.2% of GDP (2007 est.)
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
8% (2007 est.)
Electricity - production:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
13.54 billion kWh (2005)
Electricity - consumption:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
12.52 billion kWh (2005)
Electricity - exports:
Definition Field Listing
0 kWh (2005)
Electricity - imports:
Definition Field Listing
0 kWh (2005)
Oil - production:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
1.111 million bbl/day (2005 est.)
Oil - consumption:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
95,000 bbl/day (2005 est.)
Oil - exports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
960,600 bbl/day (2004)
Oil - imports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
0 bbl/day (2004)
Oil - proved reserves:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
15.21 billion bbl (1 January 2006 est.)
Natural gas - production:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
43.93 billion cu m (2005 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
17.93 billion cu m (2005 est.)
Natural gas - exports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
25.99 billion cu m (2005 est.)
Natural gas - imports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
0 cu m (2005)
Natural gas - proved reserves:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
24.73 trillion cu m (1 January 2006 est.)
Current account balance:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
$7.733 billion (2007 est.)
Exports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
$33.28 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities:
Definition Field Listing
liquefied natural gas (LNG), petroleum products, fertilizers, steel
Exports - partners:
Definition Field Listing
Japan 40.5%, South Korea 16.5%, Singapore 6.6%, Thailand 4.2% (2006)
Imports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
$15.32 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Imports - partners:
Definition Field Listing
France 13.4%, Japan 10.2%, US 9.3%, Italy 8.9%, Germany 7.8%, UK 6.3%, Saudi Arabia 5.8%, South Korea 4.7% (2006)
Economic aid - recipient:
Definition Field Listing
$2.18 million (2004)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
$6.368 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Debt - external:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
$31.07 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
$10.63 billion (2006 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
$2.525 billion (2006 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
$61.56 billion (2006)
Currency (code):
Definition Field Listing
Qatari rial (QAR)
Exchange rates:
Definition Field Listing
Qatari rials per US dollar - 3.64 (2007), 3.64 (2006), 3.64 (2005), 3.64 (2004), 3.64 (2003)
Fiscal year:
Definition Field Listing
1 April - 31 March
   Communications    Qatar Top of Page
Telephones - main lines in use:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
228,300 (2006)
Telephones - mobile cellular:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
919,800 (2006)
Telephone system:
Definition Field Listing
general assessment: modern system centered in Doha
domestic: combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular telephone density is roughly 130 telephones per 100 persons
international: country code - 974; landing point for the Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG) submarine cable network that provides links to Asia, Middle East, Europe, and US; tropospheric scatter to Bahrain; microwave radio relay to Saudi Arabia 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 3 repeaters) (2001)
Internet country code:
Definition Field Listing
.qa
Internet hosts:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
19 (2007)
Internet users:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
289,900 (2006)
   Transportation    Qatar Top of Page
Airports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
5 (2007)
Airports - with paved runways:
Definition Field Listing
total: 3
over 3,047 m: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2007)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
Definition Field Listing
total: 2
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m: 1 (2007)
Heliports:
Definition Field Listing
1 (2007)
Pipelines:
Definition Field Listing
condensate 319 km; condensate/gas 209 km; gas 1,024 km; liquid petroleum gas 87 km; oil 844 km (2006)
Roadways:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
total: 1,230 km
paved: 1,107 km
unpaved: 123 km (1999)
Merchant marine:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
total: 20 ships (1000 GRT or over) 574,969 GRT/856,057 DWT
by type: bulk carrier 1, cargo 2, chemical tanker 2, container 8, liquefied gas 2, petroleum tanker 4, roll on/roll off 1
foreign-owned: 7 (Kuwait 7)
registered in other countries: 3 (Liberia 2, Panama 1) (2007)
Ports and terminals:
Definition Field Listing
Doha, Ra's Laffan
   Military    Qatar Top of Page
Military branches:
Definition Field Listing
Qatari Amiri Land Force (QALF), Qatari Amiri Navy (QAN), Qatari Amiri Air Force (QAAF) (2007)
Military service age and obligation:
Definition Field Listing
18 years of age for voluntary military service; land forces enlisted personnel are largely unprofessional foreign nationals (2005)
Manpower available for military service:
Definition Field Listing
males age 18-49: 302,873
females age 18-49: 137,856 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
Definition Field Listing
males age 18-49: 238,566
females age 18-49: 116,595 (2005 est.)
Manpower reaching military service age annually:
Definition Field Listing
males age 18-49: 7,851
females age 18-49: 7,040 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
10% (2005 est.)
   Transnational Issues    Qatar Top of Page
Disputes - international:
Definition Field Listing
none
Trafficking in persons:
Definition Field Listing
current situation: Qatar is a destination country for men and women from South and Southeast Asia who migrate willingly, but are subsequently trafficked into involuntary servitude as domestic workers and laborers; the problem of trafficking of foreign children as camel jockeys was thoroughly addressed by government action in 2005, but independent confirmation of the problem's complete elimination is not yet available
tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Qatar has made noticeable progress in rescuing and repatriating child camel jockeys, establishing a shelter for abused domestic workers, and creating hotlines to register complaints; however, Qatar is placed on the Tier 2 Watch List for its failure to provide sufficient evidence of increasing efforts to combat trafficking in persons in 2005, particularly with regard to labor exploitation

This page was last updated on 17 January, 2008


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