World Facts Index
 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. As of 2007, oil and natural gas revenues had enabled Qatar to
attain the highest per capita income in the world.
Geography of Qatar
|
Location:
|
Middle East, peninsula
bordering the Persian Gulf and Saudi Arabia |
|
Coordinates:
|
25 30 N, 51 15 E |
|
Area:
|
total: 11,437 sq km
water: 0 sq km
land: 11,437 sq km |
|
Area comparative:
|
slightly smaller than
Connecticut |
|
Land boundaries:
|
total: 60 km
border countries: Saudi Arabia 60 km |
|
Coastline:
|
563 km |
|
Maritime claims:
|
contiguous zone: 24
NM
exclusive economic zone: as determined by bilateral agreements or
the median line
territorial sea: 12 NM |
|
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 |
|
Natural hazards:
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haze, dust storms,
sandstorms common |
|
Environment current issues:
|
limited natural fresh water
resources are increasing dependence on large-scale desalination
facilities |
|
Geography - note:
|
strategic location in
central Persian Gulf near major petroleum deposits
|
Population of Qatar
|
Population:
|
824,789 (July 2008 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) |
|
Median age:
|
31.7 years |
|
Growth rate:
|
2.5% |
|
Infant mortality:
|
18.04 deaths/1,000 live births
|
|
Life expectancy at birth:
|
73.9 years |
|
Fertility rate:
|
2.81 children born/woman |
|
Nationality:
|
noun: Qatari(s)
adjective: Qatari |
|
Ethnic groups:
|
Arab 40%, Pakistani 18%, Indian 18%,
Iranian 10%, other 14% |
|
Religions:
|
Muslim 95% |
|
Languages:
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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%
|
Government
|
Country name:
|
conventional long form: State of
Qatar
note: closest approximation of the native pronunciation falls between cutter and
gutter, but not like guitar
local long form: Dawlat Qatar |
|
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:
|
provisional constitution enacted 19 April
1972; in July 1999 Amir HAMAD issued a decree forming a committee to draft a permanent
constitution; in the 29 April 2003 referendum, 96.6% of Qatari voters approved the new
constitution |
|
Legal system:
|
discretionary system of law controlled by
the amir, although civil codes are being implemented; Islamic 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 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. |
|
Legislative branch:
|
unicameral Advisory Council or Majlis al-Shura (35 seats;
members appointed)
|
|
Judicial branch:
|
Court of Appeal |
Economy
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 the highest per-capita income country and one of
the world's fastest growing. 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.
|
GDP:
|
$71.42 billion (2007 est.) |
|
GDP growth rate:
|
8.8% |
|
GDP per capita:
|
$27,400 |
|
GDP composition by sector:
|
agriculture: 0.2%
industry: 80.1%
services: 19.7% |
|
Inflation rate:
|
8.8% |
|
Labor force:
|
440,000 |
|
Unemployment:
|
2.7% |
|
Budget:
|
revenues: $17.31 billion
expenditures: $11.31 billion |
|
Electricity production by source:
|
fossil fuel: 100%
hydro: 0% |
|
Industries:
|
crude oil production and refining, ammonia, fertilizers,
petrochemicals, steel reinforcing bars, cement, commercial ship repair |
|
Agriculture:
|
fruits, vegetables; poultry, dairy
products, beef; fish |
|
Exports:
|
liquefied natural gas (LNG), petroleum products,
fertilizers, steel |
|
Export partners:
|
Japan 39.6%, South Korea 15.1%, Singapore 8.8%, India 5.2% |
|
Imports:
|
machinery and transport equipment, food,
chemicals |
|
Import partners:
|
France 13.2%, Japan 11.9%, US 11.9%, Germany 9%, UK 7.5%,
Saudi Arabia 6.7%, Italy 6.7%, UAE 4.5% |
|
Currency:
|
Qatari rial (QAR) |
SOURCES: The CIA World Factbook, U.S. Department of State, Area Handbook of the US Library of Congress
Copyright 2004 - 2008 worldfacts.us |