Top banner
The World Factbook Banner

         
  Qatar  
Flag of Qatar
Click to enlarge
Categories Banner
 Introduction
 Geography
 People
 Government
 Economy
 Communications
 Transportation
 Military
 Transnational Issues

This page was last updated on 15 March, 2007


Map of Qatar



Legend: DefinitionDefinition Field ListingField Listing Rank OrderRank Order
   Introduction    Qatar Top of Page
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. 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 Top of Page
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 Rank Order
total: 11,437 sq km
land: 11,437 sq km
water: 0 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
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: as determined by bilateral agreements or the median line
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: 1.64%
permanent crops: 0.27%
other: 98.09% (2005)
Irrigated land:
Definition Field Listing
130 sq km (2002)
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, 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
Geography - note:
Definition Field Listing
strategic location in central Persian Gulf near major petroleum deposits
   People    Qatar Top of Page
Population:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
885,359 (July 2006 est.)
Age structure:
Definition Field Listing
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:
Definition Field Listing
total: 31.7 years
male: 37.1 years
female: 22.7 years (2006 est.)
Population growth rate:
Definition Field Listing
2.5% (2006 est.)
Birth rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
15.56 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Death rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
4.72 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Net migration rate:
Definition Field Listing
14.12 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Sex ratio:
Definition Field Listing
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 2.24 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 2.84 male(s)/female
total population: 1.87 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
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:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
total population: 73.9 years
male: 71.37 years
female: 76.57 years (2006 est.)
Total fertility rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
2.81 children born/woman (2006 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
0.09% (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
NA
Nationality:
Definition Field Listing
noun: Qatari(s)
adjective: Qatari
Ethnic groups:
Definition Field Listing
Arab 40%, Indian 18%, Pakistani 18%, Iranian 10%, other 14%
Religions:
Definition Field Listing
Muslim 95%, other 5%
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: 89%
male: 89.1%
female: 88.6% (2004 est.)
   Government    Qatar Top of Page
Country name:
Definition Field Listing
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:
Definition Field Listing
traditional emirate
Capital:
Definition Field Listing
name: Doha
geographic coordinates: 25 17 N, 51 32 E
time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
Definition Field Listing
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:
Definition Field Listing
3 September 1971 (from UK)
National holiday:
Definition Field Listing
Independence Day, 3 September (1971)
Constitution:
Definition Field Listing
ratified by public referendum on 29 April 2003, endorsed by the amir on 8 June 2004, effective on 9 June 2005
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
18 years of age; universal
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 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 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); Second Deputy Prime Minister Abdallah bin Hamad al-ATIYAH (since 16 September 2003)
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:
Definition Field Listing
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 late 2007
Judicial branch:
Definition Field Listing
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:
Definition Field Listing
none
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Definition Field Listing
none
International organization participation:
Definition Field Listing
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
Diplomatic representation in the US:
Definition Field Listing
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) 237-0061
consulate(s) general: Houston
Diplomatic representation from the US:
Definition Field Listing
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:
Definition Field Listing
maroon with a broad white serrated band (nine white points) on the hoist side
   Economy    Qatar Top of Page
Economy - overview:
Definition Field Listing
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.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
$26.05 billion (2006 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):
Definition Field Listing
$30.76 billion (2006 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
7.1% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
$29,400 (2006 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:
Definition Field Listing
agriculture: 0.1%
industry: 77.2%
services: 22.6% (2006 est.)
Labor force:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
508,000 (2006 est.)
Unemployment rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
3.2% (2006 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 Rank Order
7.2% (2006 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
33.2% of GDP (2006 est.)
Budget:
Definition Field Listing
revenues: $22.51 billion
expenditures: $16.89 billion; including capital expenditures of $2.2 billion (2006 est.)
Public debt:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
23.6% of GDP (2006 est.)
Agriculture - products:
Definition Field Listing
fruits, vegetables; poultry, dairy products, beef; fish
Industries:
Definition Field Listing
crude oil production and refining, ammonia, fertilizers, petrochemicals, steel reinforcing bars, cement, commercial ship repair
Industrial production growth rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
10% (2003 est.)
Electricity - production:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
12.4 billion kWh (2004)
Electricity - consumption:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
11.53 billion kWh (2004)
Electricity - exports:
Definition Field Listing
0 kWh (2004)
Electricity - imports:
Definition Field Listing
0 kWh (2004)
Oil - production:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
790,500 bbl/day (2005 est.)
Oil - consumption:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
80,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)
Oil - exports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
NA bbl/day
Oil - imports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
NA bbl/day
Oil - proved reserves:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
15.2 billion bbl (2006 est.)
Natural gas - production:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
39.17 billion cu m (2004 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
15.11 billion cu m (2004 est.)
Natural gas - exports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
24.06 billion cu m (2004 est.)
Natural gas - imports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
0 cu m (2004 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
25.77 trillion cu m (1 January 2005 est.)
Current account balance:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
$12.51 billion (2006 est.)
Exports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
$33.25 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.)
Exports - commodities:
Definition Field Listing
liquefied natural gas (LNG), petroleum products, fertilizers, steel
Exports - partners:
Definition Field Listing
Japan 36.9%, South Korea 19.4%, Singapore 8.2% (2005)
Imports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
$12.36 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.)
Imports - commodities:
Definition Field Listing
machinery and transport equipment, food, chemicals
Imports - partners:
Definition Field Listing
France 11.4%, Japan 10.4%, US 10.3%, Germany 8.3%, Saudi Arabia 7.2%, UK 6.9%, Italy 6.5%, South Korea 5.5%, UAE 4.8% (2005)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
$5.755 billion (2006 est.)
Debt - external:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
$25.7 billion (2006 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:
Definition Field Listing
$NA
Currency (code):
Definition Field Listing
Qatari rial (QAR)
Exchange rates:
Definition Field Listing
Qatari rials per US dollar - 3.64 (2006), 3.64 (2005), 3.64 (2004), 3.64 (2003), 3.64 (2002)
Fiscal year:
Definition Field Listing
1 April - 31 March
   Communications    Qatar Top of Page
Telephones - main lines in use:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
205,400 (2005)
Telephones - mobile cellular:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
854,900 (2006)
Telephone system:
Definition Field Listing
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:
Definition Field Listing
AM 6, FM 5, shortwave 1 (1998)
Television broadcast stations:
Definition Field Listing
1 (plus 3 repeaters) (2001)
Internet country code:
Definition Field Listing
.qa
Internet hosts:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
301 (2006)
Internet users:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
219,000 (2005)
   Transportation    Qatar Top of Page
Airports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
5 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways:
Definition Field Listing
total: 3
over 3,047 m: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2006)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
Definition Field Listing
total: 2
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m: 1 (2006)
Heliports:
Definition Field Listing
1 (2006)
Pipelines:
Definition Field Listing
condensate 319 km; condensate/gas 209 km; gas 1,024 km; liquid petroleum gas 87 km; oil 844 km (2006)
Roadways:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
total: 1,230 km
paved: 1,107 km
unpaved: 123 km (1999)
Merchant marine:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
total: 23 ships (1000 GRT or over) 750,669 GRT/1,177,673 DWT
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)
Ports and terminals:
Definition Field Listing
Doha
   Military    Qatar Top of Page
Military branches:
Definition Field Listing
Qatari Amiri Land Force (QALF), Qatari Amiri Navy (QAN), Qatari Amiri Air Force (QAAF) (2007)
Military service age and obligation:
Definition Field Listing
18 years of age for voluntary military service; land forces enlisted personnel are largely unprofessional foreign nationals (2005)
Manpower available for military service:
Definition Field Listing
males age 18-49: 302,873
females age 18-49: 137,856 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
Definition Field Listing
males age 18-49: 238,566
females age 18-49: 116,595 (2005 est.)
Manpower reaching military service age annually:
Definition Field Listing
males age 18-49: 7,851
females age 18-49: 7,040 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
10% (2005 est.)
   Transnational Issues    Qatar Top of Page
Disputes - international:
Definition Field Listing
none
Trafficking in persons:
Definition Field Listing
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 15 March, 2007


Bottom Banner