Ruled by the Al Thani family since
the mid-1800s, Qatar transformed itself from a poor
British protectorate noted mainly for pearling into an
independent state with significant oil and natural gas
revenues. During the late 1980s and early 1990s, the
Qatari economy was crippled by a continuous siphoning
off of petroleum revenues by the amir who had ruled the
country since 1972. He was overthrown by his son, the
current Amir HAMAD bin Khalifa Al Thani, in a bloodless
coup in 1995. In 2001, Qatar resolved its longstanding
border disputes with both Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. Oil
and natural gas revenues enable Qatar to have a per
capita income not far below the leading industrial
countries of Western Europe.
note:
closest approximation of the native pronunciation falls
between cutter and gutter, but not like guitar
Government type:
traditional monarchy
Capital:
Doha
Administrative
divisions:
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
Independence:
3 September 1971 (from UK)
Public holidays:
Fixed holidays
Anniversary of the Amir's Succession
27 June
Independence Day
3 September
Movable holidays
2001
2002
Islamic New Year
15 Mar
Eid Al Fitr
16 Dec
6 Dec
Eid Al Adha
Feb 23
Constitution:
provisional constitution enacted 19
April 1972; in July 1999 Amir HAMAD issued a decree
forming a committee to draft a permanent constitution
Legal system:
discretionary system of law
controlled by the amir, although civil codes are being
implemented; Islamic law is significant in personal
matters
Suffrage:
suffrage is limited to municipal
elections
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 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
Legislative branch:
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 their terms extended every four
years since
Judicial branch:
Court of Appeal
Flag description:
maroon with a broad white serrated
band (nine white points) on the hoist side
Oil accounts for more than 30% of
GDP, roughly 80% of export earnings, and 66% 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 petroleum and the diversification of the
economy. In 2000, Qatar posted its highest ever trade
surplus of $6 billion, due mainly to high oil prices and
increased natural gas exports.
GDP:
purchasing power parity - $15.1
billion (2000 est.)
Budget:
revenues:
$3.9 billion
expenditures:
$4 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1999
est.)
general assessment:
modern system centered in Doha
domestic:
NA
international:
tropospheric scatter to Bahrain; microwave radio relay
to Saudi Arabia and UAE; submarine cable to Bahrain and
UAE; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic
Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean) and 1 Arabsat
