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Mission
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Central Intelligence Agency
The Work of a Nation. The Center of Intelligence
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| page last updated on October 16, 2012 |
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(CONTAINS DESCRIPTION)
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Click flag or map to enlarge 
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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 him in a bloodless coup in 1995. In 2001, 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 the level of unrest or violence seen in other Near Eastern and North African countries in 2010-11, due in part to its immense wealth. Qatar's international image is bolstered in part by the Doha-based Al Jazirah news network, which has provided comprehensive coverage of the Near East and North African Arab revolutions. Additionally, Qatar played a significant role in the Libyan revolution by pressing the Gulf Cooperation Council and the Arab League to assist the Libyan rebel movement.
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Middle East, peninsula bordering the Persian Gulf and Saudi Arabia
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25 30 N, 51 15 E
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total: 11,586 sq km
country comparison to the world: 166
land:
11,586 sq km
water:
0 sq km
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slightly smaller than Connecticut
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total: 60 km
border countries:
Saudi Arabia 60 km
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563 km
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territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone:
24 nm
exclusive economic zone:
as determined by bilateral agreements or the median line
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arid; mild, pleasant winters; very hot, humid summers
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mostly flat and barren desert covered with loose sand and gravel
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lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m
highest point:
Tuwayyir al Hamir 103 m
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petroleum, natural gas, fish
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arable land: 1.64%
permanent crops:
0.27%
other:
98.09% (2005)
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130 sq km (2002)
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0.1 cu km (1997)
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total: 0.29 cu km/yr (24%/3%/72%)
per capita:
358 cu m/yr (2000)
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haze, dust storms, sandstorms common
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limited natural freshwater resources are increasing dependence on large-scale desalination facilities
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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
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strategic location in central Persian Gulf near major petroleum deposits
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noun: Qatari(s)
adjective:
Qatari
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Arab 40%, Indian 18%, Pakistani 18%, Iranian 10%, other 14%
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Arabic (official), English commonly used as a second language
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Muslim 77.5%, Christian 8.5%, other 14% (2004 census)
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1,951,591 (July 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 147
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0-14 years: 12.5% (male 124,303/ female 120,568)
15-64 years:
86.7% (male 1,362,994/ female 328,223)
65 years and over:
0.8% (male 9,312/ female 6,191) (2012 est.)
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total: 32.2 years
male:
33.2 years
female:
27.8 years (2012 est.)
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4.93% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 1
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10.23 births/1,000 population (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 189
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1.55 deaths/1,000 population (July 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 224
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40.62 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 1
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urban population: 96% of total population (2010)
rate of urbanization:
1.6% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
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DOHA (capital) 427,000 (2009)
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at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female
under 15 years:
1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years:
4.15 male(s)/female
65 years and over:
1.5 male(s)/female
total population:
3.29 male(s)/female (2011 est.)
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7 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)
country comparison to the world: 167
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total: 6.81 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 165
male:
7.08 deaths/1,000 live births
female:
6.53 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)
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total population: 78.09 years
country comparison to the world: 55
male:
76.11 years
female:
80.12 years (2012 est.)
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1.93 children born/woman (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 136
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2.5% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 184
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2.757 physicians/1,000 population (2006)
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1.4 beds/1,000 population (2008)
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less than 0.1% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 149
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fewer than 200 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 158
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fewer than 100 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 128
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3.3% of GDP (2005)
country comparison to the world: 120
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definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population:
96.3%
male:
96.5%
female:
95.4% (2010 est.)
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total: 12 years
male:
11 years
female:
14 years (2009)
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total: 1.6%
country comparison to the world: 129
male:
0.7%
female:
7.5% (2007)
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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
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emirate
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name: Doha
geographic coordinates:
25 17 N, 51 32 E
time difference:
UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
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7 municipalities (baladiyat, singular - baladiyah); Ad Dawhah, Al Khawr wa adh Dhakhirah, Al Wakrah, Ar Rayyan, Ash Shamal, Az Za'ayin, Umm Salal
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3 September 1971 (from the UK)
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Independence Day, 3 September (1971); also observed is National Day, 18 December (1878) (anniversary of Al Thani family accession to the throne)
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ratified by public referendum 29 April 2003; endorsed by the Amir 8 June 2004, effective 9 June 2005
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mixed legal system of civil law and Islamic law (in family and personal matters)
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has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
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18 years of age; universal
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chief of state: Amir HAMAD bin Khalifa Al Thani (since 27 June 1995); 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 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 )
elections:
the position of amir is hereditary
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unicameral Advisory Council or Majlis al-Shura (45 seats; 15 members appointed; 30 members elected by popular vote)
note:
the Advisory Council has limited legislative authority to draft and approve laws, but the amir has final say on all matters; 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 have been rescheduled for 2013; 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
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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
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none
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none
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ABEDA, 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, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
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chief of mission: Ambassador Muhammad bin Abdallah bin Mitib al-RUMAYHI
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
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chief of mission: Ambassador Susan L. ZIADEH
embassy:
Al-Luqta District, 22 February Road, Doha
mailing address:
P. O. Box 2399, Doha
telephone:
[974] 488 4161
FAX:
[974] 488 4150
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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
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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
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Qatar has prospered in the last several years with continued high real GDP growth in 2011. Qatari authorities throughout the financial crisis sought to protect the local banking sector with direct investments into domestic banks. GDP rebounded 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. 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 likely have made Qatar the second highest per-capita income country - behind Liechtenstein - 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 and the Qatar-Bahrain causeway.
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$184.3 billion (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 57
$155.1 billion (2010 est.)
$133 billion (2009 est.)
note:
data are in 2011 US dollars
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$173.8 billion (2011 est.)
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18.8% (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 1
16.6% (2010 est.)
12% (2009 est.)
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$104,300 (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 2
$91,300 (2010 est.)
$81,200 (2009 est.)
note:
data are in 2011 US dollars
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agriculture: 0.1%
industry:
73%
services:
26.9% (2011 est.)
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1.241 million (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 137
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0.4% (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 2
0.5% (2010 est.)
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NA%
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lowest 10%: 1.3%
highest 10%:
35.9% (2007)
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27.8% of GDP (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 24
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revenues: $74.29 billion
expenditures:
$51.21 billion (2011 est.)
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42.7% of GDP (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 39
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13.3% of GDP (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 7
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33.1% of GDP (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 105
29% of GDP (2010 est.)
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1.9% (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 22
-2.4% (2010 est.)
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3.5% (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 65
5.5% (31 December 2009 est.)
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5.49% (31 December 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 128
7.34% (31 December 2010 est.)
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$31.13 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 58
$18.77 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
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$85.16 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 57
$72.72 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
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$121.5 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 48
$89.61 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
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$125.4 billion (31 December 2011)
country comparison to the world: 38
$123.6 billion (31 December 2010)
$87.86 billion (31 December 2009)
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fruits, vegetables; poultry, dairy products, beef; fish
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liquefied natural gas, crude oil production and refining, ammonia, fertilizers, petrochemicals, steel reinforcing bars, cement, commercial ship repair
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27.1% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 2
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$53.57 billion (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 11
$21.03 billion (2010 est.)
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$107 billion (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 37
$72.04 billion (2010 est.)
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liquefied natural gas (LNG), petroleum products, fertilizers, steel
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Japan 26.6%, South Korea 18.3%, India 8.1%, Singapore 6.6%, UK 6.5%, China 4.1% (2011)
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$23.08 billion (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 70
$20.94 billion (2010 est.)
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machinery and transport equipment, food, chemicals
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US 12.9%, UAE 12.5%, Saudi Arabia 9.4%, UK 6.2%, China 5.5%, Germany 5.2%, Japan 4.7%, France 4.6%, Italy 4.5% (2011)
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$16.82 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 65
$31.19 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
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$125.3 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 38
$108.3 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
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$38.6 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 58
$32.79 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
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$30.54 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 39
$25.54 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
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Qatari rials (QAR) per US dollar -
3.64 (2011 est.)
3.64 (2010 est.)
3.64 (2009)
3.64 (2008)
3.64 (2007)
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1 April - 31 March
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22.28 billion kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 69
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17.33 billion kWh (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 72
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0 kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 120
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0 kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 123
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3.893 million kW (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 81
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100% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 33
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0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 165
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0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 192
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0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 177
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1.631 million bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 19
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704,300 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 18
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0 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 113
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25.38 billion bbl (1 January 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 13
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153,800 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 66
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169,900 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 64
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53,230 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 56
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11,940 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 129
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116.7 billion cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 7
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21.8 billion cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 35
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94.9 billion cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 4
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0 cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 121
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25.2 trillion cu m (1 January 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 4
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64.68 million Mt (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 52
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306,700 (2011)
country comparison to the world: 114
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2.302 million (2011)
country comparison to the world: 136
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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
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TV and radio broadcast media are state controlled; home of the satellite TV channel Al-Jazeera, which was originally owned and financed by the Qatari Government; Al-Jazeera claims editorial independence in broadcasting; transmissions of several international broadcasters are accessible on FM in Doha (2007)
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.qa
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887 (2010)
country comparison to the world: 173
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563,800 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 117
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6 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 173
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total: 4
over 3,047 m:
3
1,524 to 2,437 m:
1 (2012)
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total: 2
914 to 1,523 m:
1
under 914 m:
1 (2012)
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1 (2012)
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condensate 145 km; condensate/gas 132 km; gas 980 km; liquid petroleum gas 90 km; oil 382 km (2010)
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total: 7,790 km (2006)
country comparison to the world: 144
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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)
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Doha, Mesaieed (Umaieed), Ra's Laffan
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Qatari Emiri Land Force (QELF), Qatari Emiri Navy (QEN), Qatari Emiri Air Force (QEAF) (2012)
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18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2010)
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males age 16-49: 389,487
females age 16-49:
165,572 (2010 est.)
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males age 16-49: 321,974
females age 16-49:
140,176 (2010 est.)
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male: 6,429
female:
5,162 (2010 est.)
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10% of GDP (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 2
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| Transnational Issues ::Qatar |
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none
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