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 8 June 2004, 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
Judicial branch:
Court of Appeal
note: under the new judiciary law issued in 2003, the former two
court systems, civil and Islamic law, have been merged under a
higher court, the Court of Cassation, to be 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, IHO (pending member), ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol,
IOC, ISO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW,
OPEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Badr Umar al-DAFA
consulate(s) general: Houston
FAX: [1] (202) 237-0061
telephone: [1] (202) 274-1600 and 274-1603
chancery: 4200 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20016
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 4298
Flag description:
maroon with a broad white serrated band (nine white points) on the
hoist side
Economy Qatar
Economy - overview:
Oil and gas account for more than 55% 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 14.5 billion
barrels should ensure continued output at current levels for 23
years. Qatar's proved reserves of natural gas exceed 17.9 trillion
cubic meters, more than 5% of the world total and third largest in
the world. Long-term goals feature the development of offshore
natural gas reserves to offset the ultimate decline in oil
production. Since 2000, Qatar has consistently posted trade
surpluses largely because of high oil prices and increased natural
gas exports.