|
Qatar
Country Overview
Head of State: Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani
Independence: September 3, 1971 (from United Kingdom)
Population (2003E): 811,052
Location/Size: Persian Gulf/4,416 square miles, slightly smaller than Connecticut
Major Cities: Doha (capital), Umm Said, Dukhan, al-Khawr
Languages: Arabic (English widely spoken)
Ethnic Groups: Arab (40%), Pakistani (18%), Indian (18%), Iranian (10%), other (14%)
Religion: Muslim (95%)
Economic Overview
Currency: Qatari Riyal
Market Exchange Rate (11/25/03): US$1 = 3.64 Qatari riyals
Nominal Gross Domestic Product (2003E): $18.8 billion (2004F): $20.2 billion
Real GDP Growth Rate (2003E): 5.0% (2004F): 4.7%
Inflation Rate (consumer prices) (2003E): 1.2% (2004F): 2.5%
Current Account Balance (2003E): $4.5 billion (2004F): $4.6 billion
Major Trading Partners: Japan, United Kingdom, United States, Italy, Germany, France, South Korea
Merchandise Exports (2003E): $12.0 billion
Merchandise Imports (2002E): $4.8 billion
Major Export Products: Crude oil, LNG
Major Import Products: Machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food and live animal
Society
Population: 840,290 (July 2004 est.)
Age Structure:
0-14 years: 24.2% (male 103,660; female 99,597)
15-64 years: 72.7% (male 426,559; female 184,067)
65 years and over: 3.1% (male 19,306; female 7,101) (2004 est.)
Population Growth Rate: 2.74% (2004 est.)
Birth Rate: 15.6 births/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Death Rate: 4.52 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Education: Free in twelve-year public school system, consisting of six-year primary cycle, three-year intermediate cycle, and three-year secondary cycle. Total students in three cycles in 1985-86 academic year 51,350, of whom roughly 50 percent female. University of Qatar free.
Health: Comprehensive system of well-equipped public clinics and hospitals staffed by mainly foreign personnel. Most care provided free to all residents. Several private clinics located in Doha. In 1986 life expectancy at birth 65.2 years for males and 67.6 years for females.
Ethnic Groups: Most Qataris are Arabs; some have Iranian or African ancestry. Large foreign communities of Indians, Iranians, Pakistanis, and Egyptians. Other groups include Filipinos, Bangladeshis, Sudanese, Afghans, other Arabs, Sri Lankans, and Westerners, mostly British.
Religion: Most Qataris follow Wahhabi interpretation of Sunni Islam. Of remaining Muslims, Arabs, Pakistanis, and Afghans are Sunni, while Iranians are mainly Shia. Other religious groups include Hindus (mostly Indian) and Christians (Indians, Filipinos, and Westerners).
Economy
Gross Domestic Product (GDP): purchasing power parity - $17.54 billion (2003 est.)
Industry: In 1989 oil and natural gas extraction and processing accounted for 26 percent of GDP and most industrial activity. Other major industries fertilizers, petrochemicals, steel, and cement.
Agriculture: Some date production. Livestock includes goats, camels, sheep, and horses; also dairy and chicken farms, fruits, vegetables; poultry, dairy products, beef; fish
Exports: $12.36 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.) The exports - commodities include: petroleum products, fertilizers, steel. The exports - partners include: Japan 41%, South Korea 16.6%, Singapore 8.6% (2003 est.)
Imports: $5.711 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.) The imports – commodities include: machinery and transport equipment, food, chemicals. The imports – partners include: machinery and transport equipment, food, chemicals
Currency and Exchange Rate: Qatari riyal. In 1994 US$1 = QR3.64 (fixed rate).
Transportation And Telecommunications
Transportation: In 1993 about 1,500 kilometers of roads, of which 1,000 kilometers paved and rest gravel. Doha main port and Umm Said petroleum export port. Doha has international airport.
Telecommunications: Excellent domestic and international telecommunications with twenty-three telephones per 100 inhabitants in 1992 and satellite ground stations, television, and radio stations.
Government And Politics
Government: Ruler is Shaykh Khalifa ibn Hamad Al Thani, amir since 1972. However, heir apparent, Shaykh Hamad ibn Khalifa Al Thani, has taken over much day-to-day decision making. Government structure based on 1970 provisional constitution with Council of Ministers and Advisory Council.
Politics: Power held by amir and royal family. Political parties banned, and no open opposition tolerated.
Foreign Relations: Closely allied with Saudi Arabia on regional and global issues. Foreign policy efforts channeled through Gulf Cooperation Council and other organizations, such as Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries, Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, and Organization of the Islamic Conference. Member of United Nations and League of Arab States.
|
