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NAVIGATION
State of Qatar
Dawlat Qatar
note: closest approximation of the native pronunciation falls between cutter and gutter, but not like guitar
GOVERNMENT
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Country name:
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conventional long form: State of Qatar
conventional short form: Qatar local short form: Qatar note: closest approximation of the native pronunciation falls between cutter and gutter, but not like guitar local long form: Dawlat Qatar |
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Government type:
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traditional monarchy |
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Capital:
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Doha |
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Administrative divisions:
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9 municipalities (baladiyat, singular - baladiyah); Ad Dawhah, Al Ghuwayriyah, Al Jumayliyah, Al Khawr, Al Wakrah, Ar Rayyan, Jarayan al Batinah, Madinat ash Shamal, Umm Salal |
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Independence:
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3 September 1971 (from UK) |
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National holiday:
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Independence Day, 3 September (1971) |
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Constitution:
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provisional constitution enacted 19 April 1972; in July 1999 Amir HAMAD issued a decree forming a committee to draft a permanent constitution |
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Legal system:
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discretionary system of law controlled by the amir, although civil codes are being implemented; Islamic law dominates family and personal matters |
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Suffrage:
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suffrage is limited to municipal elections |
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Executive branch:
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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 JASSIM bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, third son of the monarch (selected crown prince by the monarch 22 October 1996); 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) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the monarch elections: none; the monarch is hereditary note: in March 1999, Qatar held nationwide elections for a 29-member Central Municipal Council, which has consultative powers aimed at improving the provision of municipal services |
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Legislative branch:
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unicameral Advisory Council or Majlis al-Shura (35 seats; members appointed)
note: the constitution calls for elections for part of this consultative body, but no 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 |
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Judicial branch:
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Court of Appeal |
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Political parties and leaders:
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none |
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Political pressure groups and leaders:
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none |
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International organization participation:
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ABEDA, AFESD, AL, AMF, CCC, ESCWA, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDB, IFAD, IFRCS, IHO (pending member), ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO |
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Diplomatic representation in the US:
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chief of mission: Ambassador Badr Umar al-DAFA
telephone: [1] (202) 274-1600 consulate(s) general: Houston FAX: [1] (202) 237-0061 chancery: 4200 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016 |
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Diplomatic representation from the US:
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chief of mission: Ambassador Maureen E. QUINN
embassy: Al-Luqtas District, 22 February Road, Doha mailing address: P. O. Box 2399, Doha telephone: [974] 488 4101 FAX: [974] 488 4298 |
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Flag description:
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maroon with a broad white serrated band (nine white points) on the hoist side |
ECONOMY
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Economy - overview:
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Oil accounts for more than 30% of GDP, roughly 80% of export earnings, and 58% of government revenues. Proved oil reserves of 3.7 billion barrels should ensure continued output at current levels for 23 years. Oil has given Qatar a per capita GDP comparable to that of the leading West European industrial countries. Qatar's proved reserves of natural gas exceed 7 trillion cubic meters, more than 5% of the world total, third largest in the world. Production and export of natural gas are becoming increasingly important. Long-term goals feature the development of offshore natural gas reserves. In 2000, Qatar posted its highest ever trade surplus of $7 billion, due mainly to high oil prices and increased natural gas exports, and managed to maintain the surplus in 2001. |
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GDP:
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purchasing power parity - $16.3 billion (2001 est.) |
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GDP - real growth rate:
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5.6% (2001 est.) |
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GDP - per capita:
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purchasing power parity - $21,200 (2001 est.) |
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GDP - composition by sector:
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agriculture: 1%
industry: 49% services: 50% (1996 est.) |
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Population below poverty line:
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NA% |
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Household income or consumption by percentage share:
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lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA% |
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Inflation rate (consumer prices):
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2% (2001) |
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Labor force:
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280,122 (1997 est.) |
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Unemployment rate:
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2.7% (2001) |
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Budget:
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revenues: $5 billion
expenditures: $4.8 billion, including capital expenditures of $900 million (FY01/02 est. ) |
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Industries:
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crude oil production and refining, fertilizers, petrochemicals, steel reinforcing bars, cement |
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Industrial production growth rate:
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NA% |
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Electricity - production:
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9.2 billion kWh (2000) |
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Electricity - production by source:
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fossil fuel: 100%
hydro: 0% other: 0% (2000) nuclear: 0% |
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Electricity - consumption:
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8.556 billion kWh (2000) |
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Electricity - exports:
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0 kWh (2000) |
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Electricity - imports:
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0 kWh (2000) |
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Agriculture - products:
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fruits, vegetables; poultry, dairy products, beef; fish |
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Exports:
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$11 billion f.o.b. (2001 est.) |
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Exports - commodities:
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petroleum products 80%, fertilizers, steel |
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Exports - partners:
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Japan 43%, Singapore 8%, South Korea 6%, US 4%, UAE 2% (1999) |
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Imports:
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$3.5 billion f.o.b. (2001 est.) |
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Imports - commodities:
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machinery and transport equipment, food, chemicals |
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Imports - partners:
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UK 10%, Japan 8%, Germany 6%, Italy 6%, US 6% (1998) |
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Debt - external:
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$13.1 billion (2000 est.) |
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Economic aid - recipient:
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$NA |
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Currency:
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Qatari rial (QAR) |
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Currency code:
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QAR |
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Exchange rates:
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Qatari rials per US dollar - 3.6400 (fixed rate) |
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Fiscal year:
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1 April - 31 March |