Qatar
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Name: The State of Qatar Introduction: Qatar was dominated by Persians for thousands of years and from 1876 to 1916 ,it was part of Ottoman Empire, after which it passed into British protection till 1971, when it became independent. Since 1868 this country has been ruled by Sheikhs of al–Thani family and the head of the state uses the title of Emir. Location: Middle East Peninsula, in the Persian Gulf. Borders: It is surrounded by Persian Gulf and Saudi Arabia is to the South. Terrain: Qatar is a Peninsula and has some small islands; the most well-known of these are the Hawar Islands. Most of the land is flat, barren desert covered with loose sand and gravel. It has salt marshes in the south and only natural vegetation is in the hills of the north coast. Climate: Arid, hot, pleasant winter very hot humid summers with temperature ranging between 25°C and 45°C. Annual rainfall is about 5 inches. Ethnic Group: Mostly Muslim Arab whose tribes who migrated to the area in the 18th century form the basis of the population. Immigration of foreign workers has also added to the population. Arab 40%, Indian 18%, Pakistani 18%, Iranian 10% and other 14%. Religion: Muslim 95%, other 5%. The country adopted Islam in the 7th century and has remained committed devout to the faith since then and vast majority of Qatari’s are Sunni Muslims. Area: 11,437 sq km Coastline: 563 km Population: 907,229 (July 2007 est.) Population Growth Rate: 2.386% (2007 est.) Life Expectancy: 74.14 years Nationality: Qatari Language: Arabic (official) and English commonly used as a second language. Literacy: Total population: - 89%, male – 89.1% and female – 88.65. Capital: Doha Currency: Riyal (QAR) Internet TLD: .qa Calling Code: +974 Independence: 3 September 1971 (from UK) Constitution: Ratified by public referendum on 29 April 2003, endorsed by the Emir on 8 June 2004 and effective on 9 June 2005. Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Government: Constitutional Monarchy (Traditional Emirate) Executive Branch: Emir Hamad bin Khalifa al- Thani is the Chief of the State and he also holds the positions of the minister of defense and commander–in–chief of the armed forces. Prime minister is the head of the government and the Cabinet consists of the Council of minister who are appointed by the monarch. Legislative Branch: Unicameral Advisory Council or Majlis al-Shura (35 seats; members appointed). Judicial Branch: Court of Appeal, but under a judiciary law issued in 2003, the former two court systems, civil and Islamic law, were merged under a higher court, the Court of Cassation were established for appeals. Military Branches: Qatari Amiri Land Force (QALF), Qatari Amiri Navy (QAN) and Qatari Amiri Air Force (QAAF) (2007) Legal System: System of law controlled by the Amir, although civil codes are being implemented; Islamic law dominates family and personal matters. National Flag: The flag was adopted on July 9, 1971 is maroon with a broad white serrated band (nine white points) on the hoist side.The nine point serrated line indicates that Qatar is the 9th member of the "reconciled Emirates" of the Persian Gulf in the wake of concluding the Qatari-British treaty in 1916.The white color of the flag reflects the internationally recognised symbol of peace and marron symbolizes the bloodshed during the wars Qatar has fought. National Anthem: As Salam al Amiri National Holiday: Independence Day, 3 September (1971) Coat of Arm: It was adopted in 1878 Economy: In 1949, after oil exploitation began Qatar became rich and since then oil and gas account for more than 60% of the GDP, 85% of export earring and 70% of the government revenue. In 1981, the per capita GNP was $ 27,720, one of the highest in the world and in 2006, it equaled to that of EU. Qatar is also trying to attract foreign investment in the development of its non-energy projects by further liberalizing the economy. GDP Total: $ 37.85 billion (2005 est) GDP Per Capita: $29,400 (2006 est.) GDP Growth Rate: 7.1% (2006 est.) Exports: Liquefied natural gas (LNG), petroleum products, fertilizers and steel. Imports: Machinery and transport equipment, food and chemicals. |