2007 Edition

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

Age structure

0-14 years: 23.4% (male 105,546/female 101,371) 15-64 years: 73% (male 446,779/female 199,133) 65 years and over: 3.7% (male 24,059/female 8,471) (2006 est.)

Agriculture - products

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

Airports

5 (2006)

Airports - with paved runways

over 3,047 m

2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2006)

total

3

Airports - with unpaved runways

total

2 914 to 1,523 m: 1

under 914 m

1 (2006)

Area

land

11,437 sq km

total

11,437 sq km

water

0 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than Connecticut

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 Qatar

Birth rate

15.56 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)

Budget

expenditures

$16.89 billion; including capital expenditures of $2.2 billion (2006 est.)

revenues

$22.51 billion

Capital

geographic coordinates

25 17 N, 51 32 E

name

Doha

time difference

UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Climate

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

Coastline

563 km

Constitution

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

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

Currency (code)

Qatari rial (QAR)

Currency code

QAR

Current account balance

$12.51 billion (2006 est.)

Death rate

4.72 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)

Debt - external

$25.7 billion (2006 est.)

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

Diplomatic representation in the US

chancery

2555 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20037

chief of mission

Ambassador Nasir bin Hamad bin Mubarak al-KHALIFA

telephone

[1] (202) 274-1600 and 274-1603

Disputes - international

none

Economic aid - recipient

$NA

Economy - overview

Oil and gas account for more than 60% 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. 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 23 years. Qatar's proved reserves of natural gas exceed 25 trillion cubic meters, more than 5% 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 is expected to become the world's top liquefied natural gas (LNG) exporter in 2007. Qatar is also trying to attract foreign investment in the development of its non-energy projects by further liberalizing the economy. Qatar has become one of the world's fastest growing and highest per-capita income countries.

Electricity - consumption

11.53 billion kWh (2004)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2004)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2004)

Electricity - production

12.4 billion kWh (2004)

Electricity - production by source

fossil fuel

100%

hydro

0%

nuclear

0%

other

0% (2001)

Elevation extremes

highest point

Qurayn Abu al Bawl 103 m

lowest point

Persian Gulf 0 m

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

Ethnic groups

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

Exchange rates

Qatari rials per US dollar - 3.64 (2006), 3.64 (2005), 3.64 (2004), 3.64 (2003), 3.64 (2002)

Executive branch

cabinet

Council of Ministers appointed by the monarch

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, 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

elections

none; the monarch is hereditary

head of government

Prime Minister ABDALLAH bin Khalifa al-Thani, brother of the monarch (since 30 October 1996); 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-ATIYAH (since 16 September 2003, also Electricity and Water Minister since 1999 and Energy and Industry Minister since 1992)

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

Exports

$33.25 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.)

Exports - commodities

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

Exports - partners

Japan 36.9%, South Korea 19.4%, Singapore 8.2% (2005)

FAX

[1] (202) 237-0061

[974] 488 4176

consulate(s) general

Houston

Fiscal year

1 April - 31 March Communications Qatar

Flag description

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

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture

0.1%

industry

77.2%

services

22.6% (2006 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$29,400 (2006 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

7.1% (2006 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$30.76 billion (2006 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$26.05 billion (2006 est.)

Geographic coordinates

25 30 N, 51 15 E

Geography - note

strategic location in central Persian Gulf near major petroleum deposits People Qatar

Government type

traditional emirate

Heliports

1 (2006)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.09% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

Household income or consumption by percentage share

highest 10%

NA%

lowest 10%

NA%

Imports

$12.36 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery and transport equipment, food, chemicals

Imports - partners

France 11.4%, Japan 10.4%, US 10.3%, Germany 8.3%, Saudi Arabia 7.2%, UK 6.9%, Italy 6.4%, South Korea 5.5%, UAE 4.8% (2005)

Independence

3 September 1971 (from UK)

Industrial production growth rate

10% (2003 est.)

Industries

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

Infant mortality rate

female

14.63 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)

male

21.27 deaths/1,000 live births

total

18.04 deaths/1,000 live births

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

7.2% (2006 est.)

International organization participation

ABEDA, ACC, AFESD, AMF, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDB, IFAD, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, 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

Internet country code

.qa

Internet hosts

301 (2006)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

1 (2000)

Internet users

219,000 (2005) Transportation Qatar

Investment (gross fixed)

33.2% of GDP (2006 est.)

Irrigated land

130 sq km (2002)

Judicial branch

Court of Appeal

note

under a 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

Labor force

508,000 (2006 est.)

Land boundaries

border countries

Saudi Arabia 60 km

total

60 km

Land use

arable land

1.64%

other

98.09% (2005)

permanent crops

0.27%

Languages

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

Legal system

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

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 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 in early 2007

Life expectancy at birth

female

76.57 years (2006 est.)

male

71.37 years

total population

73.9 years

Literacy

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

88.6% (2004 est.) Government Qatar

male

89.1%

total population

89%

Location

Middle East, peninsula bordering the Persian Gulf and Saudi Arabia

Manpower available for military service

females age 18-49

137,856 (2005 est.)

males age 18-49

302,873

Manpower fit for military service

females age 18-49

116,595 (2005 est.)

males age 18-49

238,566

Manpower reaching military service age annually

females age 18-49

7,040 (2005 est.)

males age 18-49

7,851

Map references

Middle East

Maritime claims

contiguous zone

24 nm

exclusive economic zone

as determined by bilateral agreements or the median line

territorial sea

12 nm

Median age

female

22.7 years (2006 est.)

male

37.1 years

total

31.7 years

Merchant marine

by type

cargo 2, chemical tanker 3, container 8, liquefied gas 2, petroleum tanker 7, roll on/roll off 1

foreign-owned

8 (Kuwait 7, US 1)

registered in other countries

4 (Honduras 1, Liberia 2, Panama 1) (2006)

total

23 ships (1000 GRT or over) 750,669 GRT/1,177,673 DWT

Military branches

Qatari Amiri Land Force (QALF), Qatari Amiri Navy (QAN), Qatari Amiri Air Force (QAAF)

Military expenditures - dollar figure

$723 million (FY00)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP

10% (FY00) Transnational Issues Qatar

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for voluntary military service; land forces enlisted personnel are largely unprofessional foreign nationals (2005)

National holiday

Independence Day, 3 September (1971)

Nationality

adjective

Qatari

noun

Qatari(s)

Natural gas - consumption

15.11 billion cu m (2004 est.)

Natural gas - exports

24.06 billion cu m (2004 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2004 est.)

Natural gas - production

39.17 billion cu m (2004 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

25.77 trillion cu m (1 January 2005 est.)

Natural hazards

haze, dust storms, sandstorms common

Natural resources

petroleum, natural gas, fish

Net migration rate

14.12 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)

Oil - consumption

80,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - exports

NA bbl/day

Oil - imports

NA bbl/day

Oil - production

790,500 bbl/day (2005 est.)

Oil - proved reserves

15.2 billion bbl (2006 est.)

Pipelines

condensate 319 km; condensate/gas 209 km; gas 1,024 km; liquid petroleum gas 87 km; oil 844 km (2006)

Political parties and leaders

none

Political pressure groups and leaders

none

Population

885,359 (July 2006 est.)

Population below poverty line

NA%

Population growth rate

2.5% (2006 est.)

Ports and terminals

Doha Military Qatar

Public debt

23.6% of GDP (2006 est.)

Radio broadcast stations

AM 6, FM 5, shortwave 1 (1998)

Radios

256,000 (1997)

Religions

Muslim 95%

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$5.755 billion (2006 est.)

Roadways

paved

1,107 km

total

1,230 km

unpaved

123 km (1999)

Sex ratio

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

total population

1.87 male(s)/female (2006 est.)

under 15 years

1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 2.24 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 2.84 male(s)/female

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Telephone system

domestic

NA

general assessment

modern system centered in Doha

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

Telephones - main lines in use

205,400 (2005)

Telephones - mobile cellular

854,900 (2006)

Television broadcast stations

1 (plus three repeaters) (2001)

Televisions

230,000 (1997)

Terrain

mostly flat and barren desert covered with loose sand and gravel

Total fertility rate

2.81 children born/woman (2006 est.)

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; 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 8 February, 2007

Unemployment rate

3.2% (2006 est.)