Qatar

State of QatarDawlat Qatar

traditional monarchyIndependence 3 September 1971 (from UK)

Qatar as the 2005 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 123 fields, one of 36 editions from 1990 to 2025.

field in that editiontext changed from the edition beforenot in that editionthe open editionEach field below ends in its editions, 1990 to 2025. Point at a year above to follow it down.

CapitalDoha

Position25 30 N, 51 15 E

Area11,437 sq km

LocationMiddle East, peninsula bordering the Persian Gulf and Saudi Arabia

Populationas each edition published it

863,051 people July 2005 est. · 490,897 in 1990

Population growth% a year

2.61% 2005 est. · 2.84% in 1993

Median ageyears

31.57 years 2005 est. · 31.2 yrs in 2003

Life expectancyyears at birth

73.67 years 2005 est. · 72.25 yrs in 1993

Fertility ratechildren per woman

2.87 children per woman 2005 est. · 4.2 in 1990

Infant mortalitydeaths per 1,000 live births

18.61 deaths per 1,000 live births 2005 est. · 25 in 1990

GDP per capitaeach edition's own dollars

$23,200 2004 est. · $17,000 in 1993

GDP real growth% a year

8.7% 2004 est. · 3% in 1993

Introduction

1 field

Background

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

Middle East, peninsula bordering the Persian Gulf and Saudi Arabia

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Land useshare of 11,437 sq km

arable land 1.64%permanent crops 0.27%other 98.09% (2001)irrigated 130 sq km (1998 est.)

Area

11,437sq km

land: 11,437 sq kmwater: 0 sq kmslightly smaller than Connecticut

Coastline

563km

territorial sea: 12 nmcontiguous zone: 24 nmexclusive economic zone: as determined by bilateral agreements or the median line

Highest point

103m

Qurayn Abu al Bawllowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m

Land boundaries

60km

border countries: Saudi Arabia 60 km

Location

Middle East, peninsula bordering the Persian Gulf and Saudi Arabia

Geographic coordinates

25 30 N, 51 15 E

Map references

Middle East

Climate

arid;
mild, pleasant winters;
very hot, humid summers

Terrain

mostly flat and barren desert covered with loose sand and gravel

Natural resources

petroleum, natural gas, fish

Natural hazards

haze, dust storms, sandstorms common

Environment - current issues

limited natural fresh water resources are increasing dependence on large-scale desalination facilities

Environment - international agreements

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

strategic location in central Persian Gulf near major petroleum deposits

People

19 fields

Age structuremale left, female right · (2005 est.)

21,599

65 and over3.4%

7,756

437,118

15-6472.9%

191,830

104,453

0-1423.7%

100,295

MaleFemale

Population

863,051

(July 2005 est.)growth rate: 2.61% (2005 est.)

Per 1,000 population(2005 est.)

Birth

15.54Death

4.61Net migration

15.17

Male · female

TotalMale · femaleLife expectancy years (2005 est.)73.67

71.15 · 76.32Infant mortality deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)18.61

21.95 · 15.11

TotalMale · femaleLiteracy (2004 est.)89%

89.1% · 88.6%Median age years (2005 est.)31.57

36.87 · 22.33

MaleFemaleLiteracy definition: age 15 and over can read and write

Ethnic groups

Arab 40%Pakistani 18%Indian 18%Iranian 10%other 14%

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.09%

(2001 est.)

Sex ratio

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.)

Total fertility rate

2.87 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

HIV/AIDS - deaths

Nationality

noun:: Qatari(s)
adjective:: Qatari

Religions

Muslim 95%

Languages

Arabic (official), English commonly used as a second language

Government

Traditional monarchy; 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); Prime Minister ABDALLAH bin Khalifa al-Thani, brother of the monarch (since 30 October 1996)

18 fields

Country name

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

traditional monarchy

Capital

Doha

Administrative divisions

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

3 September 1971 (from UK)

National holiday

Independence Day, 3 September (1971)

Constitution

ratified by public referendum on 29 April 2003, endorsed by the Emir on 8 June 2004, effective on 9 June 2005

Legal system

discretionary system of law controlled by the amir, although civil codes are being implemented; Islamic law dominates family and personal matters

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch

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

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

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

none

Political pressure groups and leaders

none

International organization participation

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

chief of mission:: Ambassador Nasir bin Hamad bin Mubarak al-KHALIFA
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

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

maroon with a broad white serrated band (nine white points) on the hoist side

Economy

Oil and gas account for more than 55% of GDP, roughly 85% of export earnings, and 70% of government revenues.

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GDP, purchasing power parity

$19.49billion

(2004 est.)

Real growth rate

8.7%

(2004 est.)industrial production growth: 10% (2003 est.)

Inflation, consumer prices

(2004 est.)

Unemployment rate

2.7%

(2001)

GDP - composition by sector(2004 est.)

agriculture 0.3%industry 58.2%services 41.5% (2004 est.)

Trading partnersexports left, imports right

41.9%

Japan

5.2%

France

26.6%

15.8%

South Korea

9.5%

Saudi Arabia

9.4%

9.1%

Singapore

UAE

6.3%

5.4%

India

Germany

5.2%

5.1%

Exports $15 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)Imports $6.15 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)(2004)

Budget

Revenues

$10.17 billionExpenditures

$7.61 billion (2004 est.)

expenditures including capital expenditures of $2.2 billion

Electricity

Electricity production

9.727 billion (2002)Electricity consumption

9.046 billion (2002)

Economy - overview

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 - per capita

purchasing power parity - $23,200 (2004 est.)

Labor force

140,000 (2004 est.)

Population below poverty line

Investment (gross fixed)

22.9% of GDP (2004 est.)

Public debt

Agriculture - products

fruits, vegetables;
poultry, dairy products, beef;
fish

Industries

crude oil production and refining, ammonia, fertilizers, petrochemicals, steel reinforcing bars, cement, commercial ship repair

Oil - production

790,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - consumption

30,000 bbl/day (2003 est.)

Oil - exports

Oil - imports

Oil - proved reserves

16 billion bbl (2004 est.)

Natural gas - production

32.4 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

15.86 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports

18.2 billion cu m (2004 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

14.41 trillion cu m (2004)

Current account balance

$5.187 billion (2004 est.)

Exports

$15 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities

liquefied natural gas (LNG), petroleum products, fertilizers, steel

Imports

$6.15 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery and transport equipment, food, chemicals

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$3.351 billion (2004 est.)

Debt - external

$18.62 billion (2004 est.)

Economic aid - recipient

Currency (code)

Qatari rial (QAR)

Exchange rates

Qatari rials per US dollar - 3.64 (2004), 3.64 (2003), 3.64 (2002), 3.64 (2001), 3.64 (2000)

Fiscal year

1 April - 31 March

Communications

8 fields

Mobile cellular

376,500

(2003)

Internet users

221

(2004)

Fixed lines

184,500

(2003) · country code .qa

Telephone system

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