Qatar

§1. Qatar Introduction

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.

§2. Qatar Geography

Location:
  Middle East, peninsula bordering the Persian Gulf and Saudi Arabia

Geographic coordinates:
  25 30 N, 51 15 E

Map references:
  Middle_East

Area:
  total: 11,437 km²
  land: 11,437 km²
  water: 0 km²

Area - comparative:
  slightly smaller than Connecticut

Land boundaries:
  total: 60 km
  border countries: Saudi Arabia 60 km

Coastline:
  563 km

Maritime claims:
  territorial sea: 12 nm
  contiguous zone: 24 nm
  exclusive economic zone: as determined by bilateral agreements or the
    median line

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

Terrain:
  mostly flat and barren desert covered with loose sand and gravel

Elevation extremes:
  lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m
  highest point: Qurayn Abu al Bawl 103 m

Natural resources:
  petroleum, natural gas, fish

Land use:
  arable land: 1.64%
  permanent crops: 0.27%
  other: 98.09% (2005)

Irrigated land:
  130 km² (1998 est.)

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

§3. Qatar People

Population:
  885,359 (July 2006 est.)

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.)

Median age:
  total: 31.7 years
  male: 37.1 years
  female: 22.7 years (2006 est.)

Population growth rate:
  2.5% (2006 est.)

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

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

Net migration rate:
  14.12 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)

Sex ratio:
  at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
  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
  total population: 1.87 male(s)/female (2006 est.)

Infant mortality rate:
  total: 18.04 deaths/1,000 live births
  male: 21.27 deaths/1,000 live births
  female: 14.63 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:
  total population: 73.9 years
  male: 71.37 years
  female: 76.57 years (2006 est.)

Total fertility rate:
  2.81 children born/woman (2006 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
  0.09% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
  NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths:
  NA

Nationality:
  noun: Qatari(s)
  adjective: Qatari

Ethnic groups:
  Arab 40%, Indian 18%, Pakistani 18%, Iranian 10%, other 14%

Religions:
  Muslim 95%

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

Literacy:
  definition: age 15 and over can read and write
  total population: 89%
  male: 89.1%
  female: 88.6% (2004 est.)

§4. Qatar Government

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 amir 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; Shari'a 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 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 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

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

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, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OAS
  (observer), OIC, OPCW, OPEC, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD,
  UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US:
  chief of mission: Ambassador Nasir bin Hamad bin Mubarak al-KHALIFA
  chancery: 2555 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20037
  telephone: [1] (202) 274-1600 and 274-1603
  FAX: [1] (202) 237-0059
  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 4176

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

§5. Qatar Economy

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. 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 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 by 2007. 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 (purchasing power parity):
  $22.51 billion (2005 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate):
  $29.44 billion (2005 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:
  8.8% (2005 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP):
  $26,100 (2005 est.)

GDP - composition by sector:
  agriculture: 0.2%
  industry: 81%
  services: 18.8% (2005 est.)

Labor force:
  440,000 (2005 est.)

Unemployment rate:
  2.7% (2001)

Population below poverty line:
  NA%

Household income or consumption by percentage share:
  lowest 10%: NA%
  highest 10%: NA%

Inflation rate (consumer prices):
  7.8% (2005 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):
  20.9% of GDP (2005 est.)

Budget:
  revenues: $17.31 billion
  expenditures: $11.31 billion; including capital expenditures of $2.2
    billion (2005 est.)

Public debt:
  36.7% of GDP (2005 est.)

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

Industrial production growth rate:
  10% (2003 est.)

Electricity - production:
  9.735 billion kWh (2003)

Electricity - consumption:
  9.053 billion kWh (2003)

Electricity - exports:
  0 kWh (2003)

Electricity - imports:
  0 kWh (2003)

Oil - production:
  790,500 bbl/day (2005 est.)

Oil - consumption:
  33,000 bbl/day (2003 est.)

Oil - exports:
  NA bbl/day

Oil - imports:
  NA bbl/day

Oil - proved reserves:
  16 billion bbl (2005 est.)

Natural gas - production:
  30.8 billion m³ (2003 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:
  11.61 billion m³ (2003 est.)

Natural gas - exports:
  18.2 billion m³ (2004 est.)

Natural gas - imports:
  0 m³ (2001 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves:
  25.77 trillion m³ (2005)

Current account balance:
  $10.53 billion (2005 est.)

Exports:
  $24.9 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Exports - commodities:
  liquefied natural gas (LNG), petroleum products, fertilizers, steel

Exports - partners:
  Japan 41.9%, South Korea 15.8%, Singapore 9.1%, India 5.4% (2004)

Imports:
  $6.706 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Imports - commodities:
  machinery and transport equipment, food, chemicals

Imports - partners:
  France 26.6%, US 9.5%, Saudi Arabia 9.4%, UAE 6.3%, Germany 5.2%, Japan
  5.2%, UK 5.1% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
  $4.754 billion (2005 est.)

Debt - external:
  $20.63 billion (2005 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:
  $NA

Currency (code):
  Qatari rial (QAR)

Exchange rates:
  Qatari rials per US dollar - 3.64 (2005), 3.64 (2004), 3.64 (2003), 3.64
  (2002), 3.64 (2001)

Fiscal year:
  1 April - 31 March

§6. Qatar Communications

Telephones - main lines in use:
  190,900 (2004)

Telephones - mobile cellular:
  490,300 (2004)

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

Radio broadcast stations:
  AM 6, FM 5, shortwave 1 (1998)

Television broadcast stations:
  1 (plus three repeaters) (2001)

Internet country code:
  .qa

Internet hosts:
  204 (2005)

Internet users:
  165,000 (2005)

§7. Qatar Transportation

Airports:
  5 (2005)

Airports - with paved runways:
  total: 3
  over 3,047 m: 2
  1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2005)

Airports - with unpaved runways:
  total: 2
  914 to 1,523 m: 1
  under 914 m: 1 (2005)

Heliports:
  1 (2005)

Pipelines:
  condensate 319 km; condensate/gas 209 km; gas 1,024 km; liquid petroleum
  gas 87 km; oil 702 km; oil/gas/water 41 km (2004)

Roadways:
  total: 1,230 km
  paved: 1,107 km
  unpaved: 123 km (1999)

Merchant marine:
  total: 21 ships (1000 GRT or over) 579,533 GRT/852,015 DWT
  by type: cargo 2, chemical tanker 4, container 8, liquefied gas 2,
    petroleum tanker 4, roll on/roll off 1
  foreign-owned: 8 (Kuwait 7, UAE 1) (2005)

Ports and terminals:
  Doha

§8. Qatar Military

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

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

Manpower available for military service:
  males age 18-49: 302,873
  note: includes non-nationals (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:
  males age 18-49: 238,566 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:
  males: 7,851 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:
  $723 million (FY00)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:
  10% (FY00)

§9. Qatar Transnational Issues

Disputes - international:
  none


<Factbook 2006>
