Page last updated on February 3, 2014

Introduction:
Background:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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. His son, the current Amir HAMAD bin Khalifa Al Thani, overthrew the father in a bloodless coup in 1995. In short order, HAMAD oversaw the creation of the pan-Arab satellite news network Al-Jazeera, the establishment of an Israeli trade office in Doha, and Qatar's pursuit of a leadership role in mediating regional conflicts. In the 2000s, Qatar resolved its longstanding border disputes with both Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. As of 2007, oil and natural gas revenues had enabled Qatar to attain the highest per capita income in the world. Qatar has not experienced domestic unrest or violence like that seen in other Near Eastern and North African countries in 2010-11, due in part to its immense wealth. Since the outbreak of regional unrest, however, Doha has prided itself on its support for many of these popular revolutions, particularly in Libya and Syria. On 25 June 2013, HAMAD transferred power to his 33 year-old son, TAMIM bin Hamad - a peaceful abdication unseen in the history of Arab Gulf states. TAMIM has prioritized improving the domestic welfare of Qataris, including establishing advanced healthcare and education systems and expanding the country's infrastructure in anticipation of Doha's hosting of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Geography:
Location:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Middle East, peninsula bordering the Persian Gulf and Saudi Arabia
Geographic coordinates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
25 30 N, 51 15 E
Map references:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Middle East
Area:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 11,586 sq km
country comparison to the world: 166
land: 11,586 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
slightly smaller than Connecticut
Land boundaries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 60 km
border countries: Saudi Arabia 60 km
Coastline:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
563 km
Maritime claims:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: as determined by bilateral agreements or the median line
Climate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
arid; mild, pleasant winters; very hot, humid summers
Terrain:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
mostly flat and barren desert covered with loose sand and gravel
Elevation extremes:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m
highest point: Tuwayyir al Hamir 103 m
Natural resources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
petroleum, natural gas, fish
Land use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
arable land: 1.21%
permanent crops: 0.17%
other: 98.62% (2011)
Irrigated land:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
129.4 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0.06 cu km (2011)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 0.44 cu km/yr (39%/2%/59%)
per capita: 376.9 cu m/yr (2005)
Natural hazards:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
haze, dust storms, sandstorms common
Environment - current issues:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
limited natural freshwater resources are increasing dependence on large-scale desalination facilities
Environment - international agreements:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
strategic location in central Persian Gulf near major petroleum deposits
People and Society:
Nationality:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
noun: Qatari(s)
adjective: Qatari
Ethnic groups:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Arab 40%, Indian 18%, Pakistani 18%, Iranian 10%, other 14%
Languages:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Arabic (official), English commonly used as a second language
Religions:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Muslim 77.5%, Christian 8.5%, other 14% (2004 census)
Population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2,042,444 (July 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 147
Age structure:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0-14 years: 12.5% (male 129,465/female 125,623)
15-24 years: 13.9% (male 208,625/female 74,881)
25-54 years: 69.5% (male 1,170,547/female 248,369)
55-64 years: 3.3% (male 52,799/female 15,411)
65 years and over: 0.8% (male 10,214/female 6,510) (2013 est.)
population pyramid: "> Dependency ratios:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total dependency ratio: 17.2 %
youth dependency ratio: 16 %
elderly dependency ratio: 1.2 %
potential support ratio: 83.9 (2013)
Median age:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 32.4 years
male: 33.4 years
female: 28 years (2013 est.)
Population growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4.19% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 4
Birth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
10.08 births/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 194
Death rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.54 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 226
Net migration rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
33.31 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 2
Urbanization:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
urban population: 98.8% of total population (2011)
rate of urbanization: 3.01% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Major urban areas - population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
DOHA (capital) 427,000 (2009)
Sex ratio:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 2.83 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 4.61 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 3.41 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.5 male(s)/female
total population: 3.29 male(s)/female (2013 est.)
Maternal mortality rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
7 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)
country comparison to the world: 167
Infant mortality rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 6.6 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 165
male: 6.86 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 6.33 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total population: 78.24 years
country comparison to the world: 54
male: 76.27 years
female: 80.25 years (2013 est.)
Total fertility rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.92 children born/woman (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 138
Contraceptive prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
43.2% (1998)
Health expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.9% of GDP (2011)
country comparison to the world: 190
Physicians density:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.76 physicians/1,000 population (2006)
Hospital bed density:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.2 beds/1,000 population (2009)
Drinking water source:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
improved:
unimproved:
Sanitation facility access:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
improved:
unimproved:
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
less than 0.1% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 161
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
fewer than 200 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 157
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
fewer than 100 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 121
Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
33.2% (2008)
country comparison to the world: 16
Education expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.5% of GDP (2008)
country comparison to the world: 157
Literacy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 96.3%
male: 96.5%
female: 95.4% (2010 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 13 years
male: 12 years
female: 14 years (2011)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 1.3%
country comparison to the world: 146
male: 0.4%
female: 8.9% (2011)
Government:
Country name:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
emirate
Capital:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
7 municipalities (baladiyat, singular - baladiyah); Ad Dawhah, Al Khawr wa adh Dhakhirah, Al Wakrah, Ar Rayyan, Ash Shamal, Az Za'ayin, Umm Salal
Independence:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3 September 1971 (from the UK)
National holiday:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Independence Day, 3 September (1971); also observed is National Day, 18 December (1878) (anniversary of Al Thani family accession to the throne)
Constitution:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
previous 1972 (provisional); latest drafted 2 July 2002, approved by referendum 29 April 2003, endorsed 8 June 2004, effective 9 June 2005 (2013)
Legal system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
mixed legal system of civil law and Islamic law (in family and personal matters)
International law organization participation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
Suffrage:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
chief of state: Amir TAMIM bin Hamad Al Thani (since 25 June 2013)
head of government: Prime Minister ABDALLAH bin Nasir bin Khalifa Al Thani (since 26 June 2013); Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad bin Abdallah al-MAHMUD (since 20 September 2011)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the amir
(For more information visit the World Leaders website )
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
elections: the position of amir is hereditary
Legislative branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
unicameral Advisory Council or Majlis al-Shura (45 seats; 15 members appointed; 30 members to be elected by popular vote beginning mid- or late 2013, per the 2003 constitutional referendum)
note: the Advisory Council has limited legislative authority to draft and approve laws, but the Amir has final say on all matters; Qatar's first legislative elections are expected to be held in 2013 in which the public would elect 30 members and the Amir would appoint 15; the Advisory Council would have authority to approve the national budget, hold ministers accountable through no-confidence votes, and propose legislation; Qatar in May 2011 held nationwide elections for the 29-member Central Municipal Council (CMC) - first elected in 1999 - which has limited consultative authority aimed at improving municipal services
Judicial branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
highest court(s): Court of Cassation (consists of the court president and several judges); Supreme Constitutional Court (consists of the chief justice and 6 members)
judge selection and term of office: Cassation Court judges nominated by the Judicial Supreme Council, a 9-member independent body consisting of judiciary heads appointed by the monarch; judges appointed for 3-year renewable terms; Supreme Constitutional Court members nominated by the Judicial Supreme Council and appointed by the monarch; term of appointment NA
subordinate courts: Courts of Appeal; Courts of First Instance; Sharia Courts; Courts of Justice
Political parties and leaders:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
none
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
none
International organization participation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
ABEDA, AFESD, AMF, CAEU, CD, CICA (observer), EITI (implementing country), FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
chief of mission: Ambassador Muhammad bin Abdallah bin Mitib al-RUMAYHI (since 29 March 2012)
chancery: 2555 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20037
telephone: [1] (202) 274-1600 and 274-1603
FAX: [1] (202) 237-0061
consulate(s) general: Houston
Diplomatic representation from the US:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
chief of mission: Ambassador Susan L. ZIADEH (since 11 September 2011)
embassy: Al-Luqta District, 22 February Road, Doha
mailing address: P. O. Box 2399, Doha
telephone: [974] 4496-6000
FAX: [974] 4488 4298
Flag description:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
maroon with a broad white serrated band (nine white points) on the hoist side; maroon represents the blood shed in Qatari wars, white stands for peace; the nine-pointed serrated edge signifies Qatar as the ninth member of the "reconciled emirates" in the wake of the Qatari-British treaty of 1916
note: the other eight emirates are the seven that compose the UAE and Bahrain; according to some sources, the dominant color was formerly red, but this darkened to maroon upon exposure to the sun and the new shade was eventually adopted
National anthem:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
name: "Al-Salam Al-Amiri" (The Peace for the Anthem)
lyrics/music: Sheikh MUBARAK bin Saif al-Thani/Abdul Aziz Nasser OBAIDAN
note: adopted 1996; the anthem was first performed that year at a meeting of the Gulf Cooperative Council hosted by Qatar
Economy:
Economy - overview:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Qatar has prospered in the last several years with continued high real GDP growth. Throughout the financial crisis Qatari authorities sought to protect the local banking sector with direct investments into domestic banks. GDP grew sharply in 2010 largely due to the increase in oil prices, and 2011's growth was supported by Qatar's investment in expanding its gas sector. GDP slowed to 6.6% in 2012 as Qatar''s gas sector expansion moved toward completion. Economic policy is focused on developing Qatar''s nonassociated natural gas reserves and increasing private and foreign investment in non-energy sectors, but oil and gas still account for more than 50% of GDP, roughly 85% of export earnings, and 70% of government revenues. Oil and gas have made Qatar the world''s highest per-capita income country and the country with the lowest unemployment. Proved oil reserves in excess of 25 billion barrels should enable continued output at current levels for 57 years. Qatar''s proved reserves of natural gas exceed 25 trillion cubic meters, more than 13% of the world total and third largest in the world. Qatar''s successful 2022 World Cup bid will likely accelerate large-scale infrastructure projects such as Qatar''s metro system, light rail system, and the Qatar-Bahrain causeway. The Hamad International Airport is projected to open by the end of 2013 with an annual passenger capacity of 24 million.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$185.3 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 59
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$189.8 billion (2012 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
6.2% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 42
GDP - per capita (PPP):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$100,900 (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 1
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
Gross national saving:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
58.8% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 2
GDP - composition, by end use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
household consumption: 13.1%
government consumption: 11.6%
investment in fixed capital: 30.6%
investment in inventories: -0.8%
exports of goods and services: 74.1%
imports of goods and services: -28.6%
GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
agriculture: 0.1%
industry: 72.4%
services: 27.5% (2012 est.)
Agriculture - products:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
fruits, vegetables; poultry, dairy products, beef; fish
Industries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
liquefied natural gas, crude oil production and refining, ammonia, fertilizers, petrochemicals, steel reinforcing bars, cement, commercial ship repair
Industrial production growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4.6% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 61
Labor force:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.339 million (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 135
Unemployment rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0.5% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 3
Population below poverty line:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lowest 10%: 1.3%
highest 10%: 35.9% (2007)
Budget:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
revenues: $76.22 billion
expenditures: $48.96 billion (2012 est.)
Taxes and other revenues:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
40.2% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 46
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
14.4% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 4
Public debt:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
32.8% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 109
Fiscal year:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1 April - 31 March
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.9% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 39
Central bank discount rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4.5% (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 80
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
5.38% (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 152
Stock of narrow money:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$24.98 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 64
Stock of broad money:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$97.97 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 54
Stock of domestic credit:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$149.1 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 46
Market value of publicly traded shares:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$125.4 billion (31 December 2011)
country comparison to the world: 37
Current account balance:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$61.59 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 10
Exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$133 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 33
Exports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
liquefied natural gas (LNG), petroleum products, fertilizers, steel
Exports - partners:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Japan 26.7%, South Korea 19%, India 12.1%, Singapore 5.7%, China 5.4% (2012)
Imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$30.79 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 65
Imports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
machinery and transport equipment, food, chemicals
Imports - partners:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
US 14.2%, UAE 11.4%, Saudi Arabia 8.6%, UK 6.4%, Japan 6%, China 4.8%, Germany 4.7%, Italy 4.4%, France 4.4% (2012)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$33.19 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 49
Debt - external:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$134.8 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 37
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$32.17 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 60
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$26.86 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 43
Exchange rates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Qatari rials (QAR) per US dollar -
Energy:
Electricity - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
32.34 billion kWh (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 65
Electricity - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
20.51 billion kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 68
Electricity - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 120
Electricity - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 123
Electricity - installed generating capacity:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4.893 million kW (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 76
Electricity - from fossil fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
100% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 29
Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 165
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 191
Electricity - from other renewable sources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 114
Crude oil - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.579 million bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 19
Crude oil - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.106 million bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 15
Crude oil - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 111
Crude oil - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
25.38 billion bbl (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 13
Refined petroleum products - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
287,500 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 45
Refined petroleum products - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
169,900 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 62
Refined petroleum products - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
210,000 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 31
Refined petroleum products - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 211
Natural gas - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
133.2 billion cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 6
Natural gas - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
21.8 billion cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 35
Natural gas - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
113.7 billion cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 2
Natural gas - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 120
Natural gas - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
25.2 trillion cu m (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 3
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
64.46 million Mt (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 53
Communications:
Telephones - main lines in use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
327,000 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 111
Telephones - mobile cellular:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.6 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 136
Telephone system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
general assessment: modern system centered in Doha
domestic: combined fixed and mobile-cellular telephone subscribership exceeds 130 telephones per 100 persons
international: country code - 974; landing point for the Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG) submarine cable network that provides links to Asia, Middle East, Europe, and the US; tropospheric scatter to Bahrain; microwave radio relay to Saudi Arabia and the UAE; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean) and 1 Arabsat (2011)
Broadcast media:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
TV and radio broadcast licensing and access to local media markets are state controlled; home of the satellite TV channel Al-Jazeera, which was originally owned and financed by the Qatari government, but has evolved to independent corporate status; Al-Jazeera claims editorial independence in broadcasting; local radio transmissions include state, private, and international broadcasters on FM frequencies in Doha (2012)
Internet country code:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
.qa
Internet hosts:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
897 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 173
Internet users:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
563,800 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 117
Transportation:
Airports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
6 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 178
Airports - with paved runways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 4
over 3,047 m: 3
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2013)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 2
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m:
Heliports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1 (2013)
Pipelines:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
condensate 288 km; condensate/gas 221 km; gas 2,383 km; liquid petroleum gas 90 km; oil 745 km; refined products 103 km (2013)
Roadways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 9,830 km (2010)
country comparison to the world: 135
Merchant marine:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 28
country comparison to the world: 87
by type: bulk carrier 3, chemical tanker 2, container 13, liquefied gas 6, petroleum tanker 4
foreign-owned: 6 (Kuwait 6)
registered in other countries: 35 (Liberia 5, Marshall Islands 29, Panama 1) (2010)
Ports and terminals:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
major seaport(s): Doha, Mesaieed (Umaieed), Ra's Laffan
Military:
Military branches:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Qatari Emiri Land Force (QELF), Qatari Emiri Navy (QEN), Qatari Emiri Air Force (QEAF) (2013)
Military service age and obligation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2013)
Manpower available for military service:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
males age 16-49: 389,487
females age 16-49: 165,572 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
males age 16-49: 321,974
females age 16-49: 140,176 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
male: 6,429
female: 5,162 (2010 est.)
Transnational Issues:
Disputes - international:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
none