Branches:
paramilitary National Guard, Police Force
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 830,133; fit for military service NA (1993 est.)
Note:
defense is the responsibility of the US
*Qatar, Geography
Location:
Middle East, peninsula jutting into the central Persian Gulf, between Iran
and Saudi Arabia
Map references:
Middle East, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
11,000 km2
land area:
11,000 km2
comparative area:
slightly smaller than Connecticut
Land boundaries:
total 60 km, Saudi Arabia 60 km
Coastline:
563 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf:
not specified
exclusive economic zone:
200 nm
territorial sea:
12 nm
International disputes:
territorial dispute with Bahrain over the Hawar Islands; maritime boundary
with Bahrain
Climate:
desert; hot, dry; humid and sultry in summer
Terrain:
mostly flat and barren desert covered with loose sand and gravel
Natural resources:
petroleum, natural gas, fish
Land use:
arable land:
0%
permanent crops:
0%
meadows and pastures:
5%
forest and woodland:
0%
other:
95%
Irrigated land:
NA km2
Environment:
haze, duststorms, sandstorms common; limited freshwater resources mean
increasing dependence on large-scale desalination facilities
Note:
strategic location in central Persian Gulf near major petroleum deposits
*Qatar, People
Population:
499,115 (July 1993 est.)
Population growth rate:
2.84% (1993 est.)
Birth rate:
19.61 births/1,000 population (1993 est.)
Death rate:
3.53 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.)
Net migration rate:
12.36 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
22.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population:
72.25 years
male:
69.73 years
female:
74.68 years (1993 est.)
Total fertility rate:
3.88 children born/woman (1993 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
Qatari(s)
adjective:
Qatari
Ethnic divisions:
Arab 40%, Pakistani 18%, Indian 18%, Iranian 10%, other 14%
Religions:
Muslim 95%
Languages:
Arabic (official), English commonly used as a second language
Literacy:
age 15 and over can read and write (1986)
total population:
76%
male:
77%
female:
72%
Labor force:
104,000 85% non-Qatari in private sector (1983)
*Qatar, Government
Names:
conventional long form:
State of Qatar
conventional short form:
Qatar
local long form:
Dawlat Qatar
local short form:
Qatar
Digraph:
QA
Type:
traditional monarchy
Capital:
Doha
Administrative divisions:
there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US
Government, but there are 9 municipalities (baladiyat, singular -
baladiyah); Ad Dawhah, Al Ghuwayriyah, Al Jumayliyah, Al Khawr, Al Rayyan,
Al Wakrah, Ash Shamal, Jarayan al Batnah, Umm Salal
Independence:
3 September 1971 (from UK)
Constitution:
provisional constitution enacted 2 April 1970
Legal system:
discretionary system of law controlled by the amir, although civil codes are
being implemented; Islamic law is significant in personal matters
National holiday:
Independence Day, 3 September (1971)
Political parties and leaders:
none
Suffrage:
none
Elections:
Advisory Council:
constitution calls for elections for part of this consultative body, but no
elections have been held; seats - (30 total)
Executive branch:
amir, Council of Ministers (cabinet)
Legislative branch:
unicameral Advisory Council (Majlis al-Shura)
Judicial branch:
Court of Appeal
Leaders:
Chief of State and Head of Government:
Amir and Prime Minister KHALIFA bin Hamad Al Thani (since 22 February 1972);
Crown Prince HAMAD bin Khalifa Al Thani (appointed 31 May 1977; son of Amir)
Member of:
ABEDA, AFESD, AL, AMF, CCC, ESCWA, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDB,
IFAD, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM,
OAPEC, OIC, OPEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador 'Abd al-Rahman bin Sa'ud ALTHANI
chancery:
Suite 1180, 600 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20037
telephone:
(202) 338-0111
*Qatar, Government
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Kenton W. KEITH
embassy:
149 Ali Bin Ahmed St., Farig Bin Omran (opposite the television station),
Doha
mailing address:
P. O. Box 2399, Doha
telephone:
(0974) 864701 through 864703
FAX:
(0974) 861669
Flag:
maroon with a broad white serrated band (nine white points) on the hoist
side
*Qatar, Economy