Country	Qatar
Capital	Doha
Continent	Asia
Currency	Riyal(QAR)
Languages	Arabic

Locaion

Middle East, peninsula bordering the Persian Gulf and Saudi Arabia

Geographic Co ordinates

25 30 N, 51 15 E

Land Boundries

Total:60 km
Border countries:Saudi Arabia 60 km

Geography - note

strategic location in central Persian Gulf near major petroleum deposits

Population

840,926 (July 2010 est.)
Country comparison to the world:159

Nationality

Noun:Qatari(s)
Adjective:Qatari

Ethnic groups

Arab 40%, Indian 18%, Pakistani 18%, Iranian 10%, other 14%

Religions

Muslim 77.5%, Christian 8.5%, other 14% (2004 census)

Languages

Arabic (official), English commonly used as a second language

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

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 the UK)

National Holiday

Independence Day, 3 September (1971); also observed is National Day, 18 December (anniversary of Al Thani family accession to the throne)

Constitution

ratified by public referendum on 29 April 2003, endorsed by the Amir on 8 June 2004, effective on 9 June 2005

Legal system

based on Islamic and civil law codes; discretionary system of law controlled by the Amir, although civil codes are being implemented; Islamic law dominates family and personal matters; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch

Chief of state:Amir HAMAD bin Khalifa al-Thani (since 27 June 1995 when, as heir apparent, he ousted his father, Amir KHALIFA bin Hamad al-Thani, in a bloodless coup); Heir Apparent TAMIM bin Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, fourth son of the amir (selected Heir Apparent by the amir 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 HAMAD bin Jasim bin Jabir al-Thani (since 3 April 2007); Deputy Prime Minister Abdallah bin Hamad al-ATIYAH (since 3 April 2007)
Cabinet:Prime Minister HAMAD bin Jasim bin Jabir al-Thani (since 3 April 2007); Deputy Prime Minister Abdallah bin Hamad al-ATIYAH (since 3 April 2007)
(For more information visit the World Leaders website)
Elections:the amir is hereditary
note: in April 2007, Qatar held nationwide elections for a 29-member Central Municipal Council (CMC), which has limited consultative powers aimed at improving the provision of municipal services; the first election for the CMC was held in March 1999

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 year since the new constitution came into force on 9 June 2005; the constitution provides for a new 45-member Advisory Council or Majlis al-Shura; the public would elect 30 members and the Amir would appoint 15; elections to the Majlis al-Shura are tentatively scheduled for June 2010

Judicial branch

Courts of First Instance, Appeal, and Cassation; an Administrative Court and a Constitutional Court were established in 2007; note - all judges are appointed by Amiri Decree based on the recommendation of the Supreme Judiciary Council for renewable three-year terms

Political Parties and Leaders

none

Political pressure groups and leaders

none

International organization participation

ABEDA, ACC, AFESD, AMF, CICA (observer), FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, 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, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US

Chief of mission:Ambassador Ali Fahad al-Shahwany al-HAJRI
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

Chief of mission:Ambassador Joseph E. LEBARON
Embassy:Al-Luqta District, 22 February Road, Doha
Mailing address:P. O. Box 2399, Doha
Telephone:[974] 488 4161
FAX:[974] 488 4150

Flag description

maroon with a broad white serrated band (nine white points) on the hoist side

Video

View Larger Map

Government - Government- Qatar Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ministry Of Education
Newspapers -  Gulf Times Qatar Journal Qatar News Agency The Peninsula Al Jazeera
                              Al-Rayah Al Watan Al-Sharq
Tourism -         Ministry Of Tourism

Google News

This RSS feed URL is deprecatedThis RSS feed URL is deprecated, please update. New URLs can be found in the footers at https://news.google.com/news Samuel Eto'o: Qatar Sports Club announce signing of former Barcelona player - BBC Sport BBC Sport Samuel Eto'o: Qatar Sports Club announce signing of former Barcelona player BBC Sport Former Cameroon captain Samuel Eto'o has signed for Qatar Sports Club. The Qatari top-flight club announced the signing on their Twitter account, saying they would hold a "press conference to present the international star Samuel Eto'o" on Tuesday. Eto'o signs for Qatar league sideSportstarlive Samuel Eto'o signs for Qatar league sideVanguard all 119 news articles » The Blockade on Qatar Opens the Door for Competition - STRATFOR The Blockade on Qatar Opens the Door for Competition STRATFOR Because Qatar has so far weathered the blockade against it without conceding to the demands of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt, the standoff will probably continue indefinitely. The United States' neutrality in the dispute has ... Qatar expresses solidarity with Jordan - Gulf Times Gulf Times Qatar expresses solidarity with Jordan Gulf Times The Amir expressed Qatar's solidarity with Jordan and its support for any measures taken to protect its security and stability, wishing the wounded a speedy recovery. HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa ... and more » Walk in the park as Qatar beat Malaysia 64-11 - Gulf Times Free Malaysia Today Walk in the park as Qatar beat Malaysia 64-11 Gulf Times Qatar began their campaign in the Asian Games handball tournament with a walk-in-the-park victory over Malaysia in their opening group A game yesterday. The defending Asian Games champions and three-times Asian Cup winners were expecting an easy ... Qatar thump Malaysia in openerThe Peninsula Qatar Asian Games: Qatar thrashes Malaysia in men's handball matchFree Malaysia Today all 374 news articles » Qatar face Thailand in Asian Games opening match today - Gulf Times - Gulf Times Gulf Times Qatar face Thailand in Asian Games opening match today - Gulf Times Gulf Times Qatar 's Under-23 football team will kick off their campaign at the Asian Games today, with a match against Thailand. Al Anabi, who are in Group B, will play. Qatar Airways appointed Asian Games official airline - Business ...Jakarta Post Qatar Airways backs Asian GamesSportBusiness No fearing Qatar, says Thai coachBangkok Post all 11 news articles » Qatar on track to receive Apaches from 2019 - IHS Jane's 360 IHS Jane's 360 Qatar on track to receive Apaches from 2019 IHS Jane's 360 Qatar first requested the Apache helicopters in July 2012. Weapons requested in the original Foreign Military Sales notification included AGM-114R Hellfire laser-guided missiles, FIM-92H Stinger missiles with air-to-air launchers, and 70 mm Hydra ... More Korean companies to operate in Qatar: envoy - Gulf Times Gulf Times More Korean companies to operate in Qatar: envoy Gulf Times More Korean companies are expected to come to Qatar in the lead up to the 2022 FIFA World Cup and beyond, all aimed at contributing to the country's development, according to South Korea's new ambassador, Kim Chang-mo. “After the blockade last year, ... Huge potential to enhance Qatar-Korea tiesThe Peninsula Qatar all 437 news articles » Gambling haven Macau to topple Qatar as the richest place on Earth by 2020 - Moneycontrol.com Moneycontrol.com Gambling haven Macau to topple Qatar as the richest place on Earth by 2020 Moneycontrol.com Macau which is also known as the gambling capital of the world will topple Qatar as world's richest place in 2020, data released by the International Monetary Fund estimates. According to IMF's projections, the per capita gross-domestic-product of ... Macau Set To Overtake Qatar As World's Richest Place By 2020India Times Macau to displace Qatar as world's richest place by 2020NewsBytes all 10 news articles » Qatar hoopsters to clash with Hong Kong - Gulf Times Gulf Times Qatar hoopsters to clash with Hong Kong Gulf Times Qatar captain Mohamed Yousuf has exuded confidence his team have the resources to beat Hong Kong today in their opening match of the Asian Games basketball competition. “We do not have an easy game against Hong Kong. We respect them but we are ... and more » Locations of the eight roads in Qatar with mobile radars (Tuesday, August 14, 2018) - The Peninsula Qatar The Peninsula Qatar Locations of the eight roads in Qatar with mobile radars (Tuesday, August 14, 2018) The Peninsula Qatar There are two changes today in the locations of mobile radars. Instead of Al Refaa and University Road, it is F Ring Road and Al Wakrah. Keep an eye on your speedometer to avoid fine and also to reach safe. Here are the locations for the radars today ...