Country name:
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:
traditional emirate
Capital:
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:
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:
ratified by public referendum on 29 April 2003, endorsed by the
amir on 8 June 2004, effective on 9 June 2005
Legal system:
discretionary system of law controlled by the amir, although civil
codes are being implemented; Shari'a 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 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, also Foreign Minister since 1992); Second Deputy Prime
Minister Abdallah bin Hamad al-ATIYAH (since 16 September 2003, also
Electricity and Water Minister since 1999 and Energy and Industry
Minister since 1992)
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