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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.
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Location: |
Middle East, peninsula
bordering the Persian Gulf and Saudi Arabia |
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Geographic coordinates: |
25 30 N, 51 15 E |
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Map references: |
Middle East |
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Area: |
total: 11,437 sq km
land: 11,437 sq km
water: 0 sq km |
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Area - comparative: |
slightly smaller than
Connecticut |
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Land boundaries: |
total: 60 km
border countries: Saudi Arabia 60 km |
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Coastline: |
563 km |
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Maritime claims: |
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: as
determined by bilateral agreements or the median line |
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Climate: |
arid; mild, pleasant winters;
very hot, humid summers |
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Terrain: |
mostly flat and barren desert
covered with loose sand and gravel |
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Elevation extremes: |
lowest point: Persian
Gulf 0 m
highest point: Qurayn Abu al Bawl 103 m |
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Natural resources: |
petroleum, natural gas, fish
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Land use: |
arable land: 1.64%
permanent crops: 0.27%
other: 98.09% (2005) |
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Irrigated land: |
130 sq km (2002) |
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Total renewable water resources: |
0.1 cu km (1997) |
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Freshwater withdrawal
(domestic/industrial/agricultural): |
total: 0.29 cu km/yr
(24%/3%/72%)
per capita: 358 cu m/yr (2000) |
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Natural hazards: |
haze, dust storms, sandstorms
common |
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Environment - current issues: |
limited natural fresh water
resources are increasing dependence on large-scale desalination facilities
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Environment - international agreements: |
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 |
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Geography - note: |
strategic location in central
Persian Gulf near major petroleum deposits |
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Population: |
928,635 (July 2008 est.) |
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Age structure: |
0-14 years: 22.8% (male
108,063/female 103,887)
15-64 years: 72.9% (male 463,942/female
213,137)
65 years and over: 4.3% (male 29,515/female 10,091)
(2008 est.) |
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Median age: |
total: 32.1 years
male: 37.5 years
female: 23.4 years (2008 est.)
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Population growth rate: |
2.279% (2008 est.) |
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Birth rate: |
15.56 births/1,000 population
(2008 est.) |
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Death rate: |
4.94 deaths/1,000 population
(2008 est.) |
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Net migration rate: |
12.18 migrant(s)/1,000
population (2008 est.) |
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Sex ratio: |
at birth: 1.05
male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64
years: 2.18 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 2.92
male(s)/female
total population: 1.84 male(s)/female (2008
est.) |
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Infant mortality rate: |
total: 16.88
deaths/1,000 live births
male: 19.93 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 13.68 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.) |
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Life expectancy at birth: |
total population: 74.38
years
male: 71.82 years
female: 77.07 years (2008
est.) |
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Total fertility rate: |
2.7 children born/woman (2008
est.) |
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HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: |
0.09% (2001 est.) |
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HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: |
NA |
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HIV/AIDS - deaths: |
NA |
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Nationality: |
noun: Qatari(s)
adjective: Qatari |
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Ethnic groups: |
Arab 40%, Indian 18%, Pakistani
18%, Iranian 10%, other 14% |
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Religions: |
Muslim 77.5%, Christian 8.5%,
other 14% (2004 census) |
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Languages: |
Arabic (official), English
commonly used as a second language |
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Literacy: |
definition: age 15 and
over can read and write
total population: 89%
male:
89.1%
female: 88.6% (2004 census) |
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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 |
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Government type: |
emirate |
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Capital: |
name: Doha
geographic coordinates: 25 17 N, 51 32 E
time
difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard
Time) |
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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 |
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Independence: |
3 September 1971 (from UK)
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National holiday: |
Independence Day, 3 September
(1971); also observed is National Day, 18 December |
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Constitution: |
ratified by public referendum
on 29 April 2003, endorsed by the Amir on 8 June 2004, effective on 9 June
2005 |
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Legal system: |
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 |
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Suffrage: |
18 years of age; universal
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Executive branch: |
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: the monarch is hereditary
note: in April
2007, Qatar held nationwide elections for a 29-member Central Municipal
Council (CMC), which has limited consultative powers aimed at improving
the provision of municipal services; the first election for the CMC was
held in March 1999 |
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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
year since the new constitution came into force on 9 June 2005; the
constitution provides for a new 45-member Advisory 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 |
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Judicial branch: |
Courts of First Instance,
Appeal, and Cassation; an Administrative Court and a Constitutional Court
were established in 2007; note - all judges are appointed by Amiri Decree
based on the recommendation of the Supreme Judiciary Council for renewable
three-year terms |
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Political parties and leaders: |
none |
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Political pressure groups and leaders: |
none |
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International organization participation: |
ABEDA, ACC, AFESD, AMF, FAO,
G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFRCS, IHO, 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, UNIFIL, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO |
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Diplomatic representation in the US: |
chief of mission:
Ambassador Ali Fahad al-Shahwany al-HAJRI
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 |
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Diplomatic representation from the US: |
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 |
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Flag description: |
maroon with a broad white
serrated band (nine white points) on the hoist side |
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Economy - overview: |
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. |
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GDP (purchasing power parity): |
$57.69 billion (2007) |
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GDP (official exchange rate): |
$65.81 billion (2007 est.)
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GDP - real growth rate: |
7.8% (2007 est.) |
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GDP - per capita (PPP): |
$75,900 (2007 est.) |
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GDP - composition by sector: |
agriculture: 0.1%
industry: 73.5%
services: 26.4% (2007 est.) |
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Labor force: |
638,000 (2007 est.) |
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Unemployment rate: |
0.7% (2007 est.) |
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Population below poverty line: |
NA% |
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Household income or consumption by percentage
share: |
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA% |
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Inflation rate (consumer prices): |
13.7% (2007) |
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Investment (gross fixed): |
43.5% of GDP (2007 est.) |
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Budget: |
revenues: $23.5 billion
expenditures: $19.61 billion (2007 est.) |
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Public debt: |
23.2% of GDP (2007 est.) |
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Agriculture - products: |
fruits, vegetables; poultry,
dairy products, beef; fish |
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Industries: |
crude oil production and
refining, ammonia, fertilizers, petrochemicals, steel reinforcing bars,
cement, commercial ship repair |
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Industrial production growth rate: |
8% (2007 est.) |
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Electricity - production: |
13.54 billion kWh (2005) |
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Electricity - production by source: |
fossil fuel: 100%
hydro: 0%
nuclear: 0%
other: 0% (2001)
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Electricity - consumption: |
12.52 billion kWh (2005) |
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Electricity - exports: |
0 kWh (2005) |
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Electricity - imports: |
0 kWh (2005) |
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Oil - production: |
1.111 million bbl/day (2005
est.) |
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Oil - consumption: |
95,000 bbl/day (2005 est.)
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Oil - exports: |
960,600 bbl/day (2004) |
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Oil - imports: |
0 bbl/day (2004) |
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Oil - proved reserves: |
15.21 billion bbl (1 January
2006 est.) |
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Natural gas - production: |
43.93 billion cu m (2005 est.)
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Natural gas - consumption: |
17.93 billion cu m (2005 est.)
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Natural gas - exports: |
25.99 billion cu m (2005 est.)
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Natural gas - imports: |
0 cu m (2005) |
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Natural gas - proved reserves: |
25.79 trillion cu m (1 January
2007 est.) |
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Current account balance: |
$7.733 billion (2007 est.)
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Exports: |
$33.28 billion f.o.b. (2007
est.) |
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Exports - commodities: |
liquefied natural gas (LNG),
petroleum products, fertilizers, steel |
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Exports - partners: |
Japan 40.2%, South Korea 16.4%,
Singapore 6.5%, Thailand 4.1% (2006) |
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Imports: |
$15.32 billion f.o.b. (2007
est.) |
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Imports - commodities: |
machinery and transport
equipment, food, chemicals |
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Imports - partners: |
France 13.3%, Japan 10.2%, US
9.3%, Italy 8.9%, Germany 7.9%, UK 6.2%, Saudi Arabia 5.7%, South Korea
4.7% (2006) |
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Economic aid - recipient: |
$2.18 million (2004) |
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Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: |
$6.368 billion (31 December
2007 est.) |
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Debt - external: |
$31.07 billion (31 December
2007 est.) |
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Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: |
$10.63 billion (2006 est.)
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Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: |
$2.525 billion (2006 est.)
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Market value of publicly traded shares: |
$61.56 billion (2006) |
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Currency (code): |
Qatari rial (QAR) |
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Currency code: |
QAR |
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Exchange rates: |
Qatari rials per US dollar -
3.64 (2007), 3.64 (2006), 3.64 (2005), 3.64 (2004), 3.64 (2003) |
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Fiscal year: |
1 April - 31 March
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Telephones - main lines in use: |
228,300 (2006) |
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Telephones - mobile cellular: |
919,800 (2006) |
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Telephone system: |
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 the US; tropospheric
scatter to Bahrain; microwave radio relay to Saudi Arabia and the UAE;
satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian
Ocean) and 1 Arabsat |
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Radio broadcast stations: |
AM 6, FM 5, shortwave 1 (1998)
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Radios: |
256,000 (1997) |
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Television broadcast stations: |
1 (plus 3 repeaters) (2001)
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Televisions: |
230,000 (1997) |
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Internet country code: |
.qa |
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Internet hosts: |
19 (2007) |
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Internet Service Providers (ISPs): |
1 (2000) |
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Internet users: |
289,900 (2006) |
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Airports: |
5 (2007) |
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Airports - with paved runways: |
total: 3
over
3,047 m: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2007) |
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Airports - with unpaved runways: |
total: 2
914 to
1,523 m: 1
under 914 m: 1 (2007) |
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Heliports: |
1 (2007) |
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Pipelines: |
condensate 322 km;
condensate/gas 209 km; gas 1,970 km; liquid petroleum gas 87 km; oil 741
km (2007) |
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Roadways: |
total: 1,230 km
paved: 1,107 km
unpaved: 123 km (1999) |
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Merchant marine: |
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)
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Ports and terminals: |
Doha, Ra's Laffan
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Military branches: |
Qatari Amiri Land Force (QALF),
Qatari Amiri Navy (QAN), Qatari Amiri Air Force (QAAF) (2007) |
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Military service age and obligation: |
18 years of age for voluntary
military service; no conscription (2008) |
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Manpower available for military service: |
males age 16-49: 320,383
females age 16-49: 167,475 (2008 est.) |
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Manpower fit for military service: |
males age 16-49: 258,159
females age 16-49: 143,999 (2008 est.) |
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Manpower reaching military service age annually: |
males age 16-49: 7,539
females age 16-49: 7,022 (2008 est.) |
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Military expenditures - percent of GDP: |
10% (2005 est.) |
| Transnational Issues |
Qatar |
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Disputes - international: |
none |
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Trafficking in persons: |
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, and, to a lesser extent,
commercial sexual exploitation; the most common offense was forcing
workers to accept worse contract terms than those under which they were
recruited; other conditions include bonded labor, withholding of pay,
restrictions on movement, arbitrary detention, and physical, mental, and
sexual abuse
tier rating: Tier 3 - Qatar's rating was
downgraded to Tier 3 in the 2007 report for continuing to detain and
deport victims rather than providing them protection; the government also
failed to increase prosecutions for trafficking in a meaningful way in
2006; workers complaining of working conditions or non-payment of wages
were sometimes prosecuted under false charges in retaliation
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