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Flag of Qatar
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  Introduction
  Geography
  People
  Government
  Economy
  Communications
  Transportation
  Military
  Transnational Issues

In general, information available as of 1 January 2002
was used in the preparation of The World Factbook 2002.


This page was last updated on 19 March 2003


Map of Qatar

Legend: Definition Definition Field Listing Field Listing
   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. He was overthrown by his son, the current Amir HAMAD bin Khalifa Al Thani, 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 a per capita income not far below the leading industrial countries of Western Europe.
   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
total: 11,437 sq km
water: 0 sq km
land: 11,437 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
contiguous zone: 24 NM
exclusive economic zone: as determined by bilateral agreements or the median line
territorial sea: 12 NM
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: 1.27%
permanent crops: 0.27%
other: 98.46% (1998 est.)
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, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection
signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
Geography - note:
Definition Field Listing
strategic location in central Persian Gulf near major petroleum deposits
   People    Qatar
Population:
Definition Field Listing
793,341 (July 2002 est.)
Age structure:
Definition Field Listing
0-14 years: 25.2% (male 102,110; female 98,053)
15-64 years: 72.1% (male 403,508; female 168,428)
65 years and over: 2.7% (male 15,299; female 5,943) (2002 est.)
Population growth rate:
Definition Field Listing
3.02% (2002 est.)
Birth rate:
Definition Field Listing
15.78 births/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Death rate:
Definition Field Listing
4.34 deaths/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Net migration rate:
Definition Field Listing
18.75 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Sex ratio:
Definition Field Listing
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 2.4 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 2.57 male(s)/female
total population: 1.91 male(s)/female (2002 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
Definition Field Listing
20.73 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
Definition Field Listing
total population: 72.88 years
female: 75.48 years (2002 est.)
male: 70.4 years
Total fertility rate:
Definition Field Listing
3.1 children born/woman (2002 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
Definition Field Listing
0.09% (1999 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
Definition Field Listing
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
Definition Field Listing
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: 79%
male: 79%
female: 80% (1995 est.)
   Government    Qatar
Country name:
Definition Field Listing
conventional long form: State of Qatar
conventional short form: Qatar
local short form: Qatar
note: closest approximation of the native pronunciation falls between cutter and gutter, but not like guitar
local long form: Dawlat Qatar
Government type:
Definition Field Listing
traditional monarchy
Capital:
Definition Field Listing
Doha
Administrative divisions:
Definition Field Listing
9 municipalities (baladiyat, singular - baladiyah); Ad Dawhah, Al Ghuwayriyah, Al Jumayliyah, Al Khawr, Al Wakrah, Ar Rayyan, Jarayan al Batinah, Madinat ash Shamal, 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
provisional constitution enacted 19 April 1972; in July 1999 Amir HAMAD issued a decree forming a committee to draft a permanent constitution
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
suffrage is limited to municipal elections
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 JASSIM bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, third son of the monarch (selected crown prince by the monarch 22 October 1996); 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)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the monarch
elections: none; the monarch is hereditary
note: in March 1999, Qatar held nationwide elections for a 29-member Central Municipal Council, which has consultative powers aimed at improving the provision of municipal services
Legislative branch:
Definition Field Listing
unicameral Advisory Council or Majlis al-Shura (35 seats; members appointed)
note: the constitution calls for elections for part of this consultative body, but no 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
Judicial branch:
Definition Field Listing
Court of Appeal
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, AL, AMF, CCC, ESCWA, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDB, IFAD, IFRCS, IHO (pending member), ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
Definition Field Listing
chief of mission: Ambassador Badr Umar al-DAFA
telephone: [1] (202) 274-1600
consulate(s) general: Houston
FAX: [1] (202) 237-0061
chancery: 4200 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016
Diplomatic representation from the US:
Definition Field Listing
chief of mission: Ambassador Maureen E. QUINN
embassy: Al-Luqtas 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 accounts for more than 30% of GDP, roughly 80% of export earnings, and 58% of government revenues. Proved oil reserves of 3.7 billion barrels should ensure continued output at current levels for 23 years. Oil has given Qatar a per capita GDP comparable to that of the leading West European industrial countries. Qatar's proved reserves of natural gas exceed 7 trillion cubic meters, more than 5% of the world total, third largest in the world. Production and export of natural gas are becoming increasingly important. Long-term goals feature the development of offshore natural gas reserves. In 2000, Qatar posted its highest ever trade surplus of $7 billion, due mainly to high oil prices and increased natural gas exports, and managed to maintain the surplus in 2001.
GDP:
Definition Field Listing
purchasing power parity - $16.3 billion (2001 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
Definition Field Listing
5.6% (2001 est.)
GDP - per capita:
Definition Field Listing
purchasing power parity - $21,200 (2001 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:
Definition Field Listing
agriculture: 1%
industry: 49%
services: 50% (1996 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
2% (2001)
Labor force:
Definition Field Listing
280,122 (1997 est.)
Unemployment rate:
Definition Field Listing
2.7% (2001)
Budget:
Definition Field Listing
revenues: $5 billion
expenditures: $4.8 billion, including capital expenditures of $900 million (FY01/02 est. )
Industries:
Definition Field Listing
crude oil production and refining, fertilizers, petrochemicals, steel reinforcing bars, cement
Industrial production growth rate:
Definition Field Listing
NA%
Electricity - production:
Definition Field Listing
9.2 billion kWh (2000)
Electricity - production by source:
Definition Field Listing
fossil fuel: 100%
hydro: 0%
other: 0% (2000)
nuclear: 0%
Electricity - consumption:
Definition Field Listing
8.556 billion kWh (2000)
Electricity - exports:
Definition Field Listing
0 kWh (2000)
Electricity - imports:
Definition Field Listing
0 kWh (2000)
Agriculture - products:
Definition Field Listing
fruits, vegetables; poultry, dairy products, beef; fish
Exports:
Definition Field Listing
$11 billion f.o.b. (2001 est.)
Exports - commodities:
Definition Field Listing
petroleum products 80%, fertilizers, steel
Exports - partners:
Definition Field Listing
Japan 43%, Singapore 8%, South Korea 6%, US 4%, UAE 2% (1999)
Imports:
Definition Field Listing
$3.5 billion f.o.b. (2001 est.)
Imports - commodities:
Definition Field Listing
machinery and transport equipment, food, chemicals
Imports - partners:
Definition Field Listing
UK 10%, Japan 8%, Germany 6%, Italy 6%, US 6% (1998)
Debt - external:
Definition Field Listing
$13.1 billion (2000 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 - 3.6400 (fixed rate)
Fiscal year:
Definition Field Listing
1 April - 31 March
   Communications    Qatar
Telephones - main lines in use:
Definition Field Listing
142,000 (1997)
Telephones - mobile cellular:
Definition Field Listing
43,476 (1997)
Telephone system:
Definition Field Listing
general assessment: modern system centered in Doha
domestic: NA
international: 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)
Radios:
Definition Field Listing
256,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations:
Definition Field Listing
1 (plus three repeaters) (2001)
Televisions:
Definition Field Listing
230,000 (1997)
Internet country code:
Definition Field Listing
.qa
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):
Definition Field Listing
1 (2000)
Internet users:
Definition Field Listing
75,000 (2001)
   Transportation    Qatar
Railways:
Definition Field Listing
0 km
Highways:
Definition Field Listing
total: 1,230 km
paved: 1,107 km
unpaved: 123 km (1996)
Waterways:
Definition Field Listing
none
Pipelines:
Definition Field Listing
crude oil 235 km; natural gas 400 km
Ports and harbors:
Definition Field Listing
Doha, Halul Island, Umm Sa'id (Musay'id)
Merchant marine:
Definition Field Listing
total: 25 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 679,081 GRT/1,051,088 DWT
ships by type: cargo 10, combination ore/oil 2, container 7, petroleum tanker 6
note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Kuwait 1, United Arab Emirates 3 (2002 est.)
Airports:
Definition Field Listing
4 (2001)
Airports - with paved runways:
Definition Field Listing
total: 2
over 3,047 m: 2 (2002)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
Definition Field Listing
total: 2
under 914 m: 1 (2002)
914 to 1,523 m: 1
Heliports:
Definition Field Listing
1 (2002)
   Military    Qatar
Military branches:
Definition Field Listing
Army, Navy, Air Force
Military manpower - military age:
Definition Field Listing
18 years of age (2002 est.)
Military manpower - availability:
Definition Field Listing
males age 15-49: 316,885
note: includes non-nationals (2002 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service:
Definition Field Listing
males age 15-49: 166,214 (2002 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually:
Definition Field Listing
males: 6,797 (2002 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:
Definition Field Listing
$723 million (FY00/01)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:
Definition Field Listing
10% (FY00/01)
   Transnational Issues    Qatar
Disputes - international:
Definition Field Listing
none

This page was last updated on 19 March 2003


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