Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 75.35 years
country comparison to the world: 80
male: 73.66 years
female: 77.14 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.45 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 100
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.09% (2001 est.)
country comparison to the world: 166
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
NA
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
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 89%
male: 89.1%
female: 88.6% (2004 census)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 13 years
male: 13 years
female: 14 years (2006)
Education expenditures:
3.3% of GDP (2005)
country comparison to the world: 136
Government ::Qatar
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
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 monarch (selected Heir Apparent
by the monarch 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: Council of Ministers appointed by the monarch
elections: the monarch 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
two-thirds of the Majlis al-Shura; the Amir would appoint the
remaining members; preparations are underway to conduct elections to
the Majlis al-Shura
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, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM,
IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC,
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
Economy ::Qatar
Economy - overview:
Qatar has experienced rapid economic growth over the last several
years on the back of high oil prices, and in 2008 posted its eighth
consecutive budget surplus. 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
second highest per-capita income country - following Liechtenstein -
and one of the world's fastest growing. Proved oil reserves of 15
billion barrels should enable continued output at current levels for
37 years. Qatar's proved reserves of natural gas are nearly 26
trillion cubic meters, about 14% of the world total and third
largest in the world. The drop in oil prices in late 2008 and the
global financial crisis will reduce Qatar's budget surplus and may
slow the pace of investment and development projects in 2009.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$91.55 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 69
$80.73 billion (2007 est.)
$68.82 billion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$102.3 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
13.4% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 3
17.3% (2007 est.)
12.2% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$111,000 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 2
$99,100 (2007 est.)
$85,800 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 0.1%
industry: 74.9%
services: 25.1% (2008 est.)
Labor force:
1.119 million (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 136
Unemployment rate:
0.4% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 3
0.7% (2007 est.)
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Investment (gross fixed):
32.1% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 18
Budget:
revenues: $36.59 billion
expenditures: $27.14 billion (2008 est.)
Public debt:
5.1% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 121
11% of GDP (2007 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
15.2% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 191
13.7% (2007 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
5.5% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 79
5.5% (31 December 2007)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
6.84% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 115
7.43% (31 December 2007)
Stock of money:
$13.98 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 41
$9.718 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$36.58 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 32
$22.6 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$59.43 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 45
$30.52 billion (31 December 2007)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$76.31 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 49
$95.49 billion (31 December 2007)
$61.56 billion (31 December 2006)
Agriculture - products:
fruits, vegetables; poultry, dairy products, beef; fish
Industries:
crude oil production and refining, ammonia, fertilizers,
petrochemicals, steel reinforcing bars, cement, commercial ship
repair
Industrial production growth rate:
13% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 3
Electricity - production:
15.11 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 78
Electricity - consumption:
13.73 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 74
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
1.208 million bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 21
Oil - consumption:
129,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 69
Oil - exports:
1.043 million bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 21
Oil - imports:
0 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 207
Oil - proved reserves:
15.21 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 14
Natural gas - production:
76.98 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 10
Natural gas - consumption:
20.2 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 36
Natural gas - exports:
56.78 billion cu m (2008)
country comparison to the world: 6
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 142
Natural gas - proved reserves:
25.26 trillion cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 3
Current account balance:
$15.07 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 23
$10.45 billion (2007 est.)
Exports:
$55.73 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 55
$42.02 billion (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities:
liquefied natural gas (LNG), petroleum products, fertilizers, steel
Exports - partners:
Japan 38.5%, South Korea 20.9%, Singapore 11.1%, India 4.5%,
Thailand 4.4% (2008)
Imports:
$25.11 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 68
$19.82 billion (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery and transport equipment, food, chemicals
Imports - partners:
US 12.1%, Germany 9%, Italy 8.9%, Japan 8%, South Korea 7.5%, France
6.2%, UAE 5.5%, UK 4.9%, Saudi Arabia 4.6%, Turkey 4.2%, China 4.2%
(2008)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$9.998 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 66
$9.752 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Debt - external:
$57.37 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 49
$33.09 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$3.627 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 91
$2.601 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$5.363 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 55
$6.993 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Exchange rates:
Qatari rials (QAR) per US dollar - 3.64 (2008 est.), 3.64 (2007),
3.64 (2006), 3.64 (2005), 3.64 (2004)
Communications ::Qatar
Telephones - main lines in use:
263,400 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 117
Telephones - mobile cellular:
1.683 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 128
Telephone system:
general assessment: modern system centered in Doha
domestic: combined fixed and mobile-cellular telephone
subscribership exceeds 200 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 (2008)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 6, FM 5, shortwave 1 (1998)
Television broadcast stations:
1 (plus 3 repeaters) (2001)
Internet country code:
.qa
Internet hosts:
722 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 166
Internet users:
436,000 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 111
Transportation ::Qatar
Airports:
5 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 178
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 3
over 3,047 m: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 2
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m: 1 (2009)
Heliports:
1 (2009)
Pipelines:
condensate 145 km; condensate/gas 132 km; gas 978 km; liquid
petroleum gas 90 km; oil 382 km (2008)
Roadways:
total: 7,790 km (2006)
country comparison to the world: 143
Merchant marine:
total: 22
country comparison to the world: 96
by type: bulk carrier 2, cargo 2, chemical tanker 2, container 8,
liquefied gas 4, petroleum tanker 4
foreign-owned: 7 (Kuwait 7)
registered in other countries: 5 (Liberia 4, Panama 1) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Doha, Ra's Laffan
Military ::Qatar
Military branches:
Qatari Amiri Land Force (QALF), Qatari Amiri Navy (QAN), Qatari
Amiri Air Force (QAAF) (2009)
Military service age and obligation:
18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription
(2008)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 320,383
females age 16-49: 167,475 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 318,388
females age 16-49: 136,841 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 6,337
female: 5,059 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
10% of GDP (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 2
Transnational Issues ::Qatar
Disputes - international:
none
Trafficking in persons:
current situation: Qatar is a destination country for men and women
from South and Southeast Asia who migrate willingly, but are
subsequently trafficked into involuntary servitude as domestic
workers and laborers, and, to a lesser extent, commercial sexual
exploitation; the most common offense was forcing workers to accept
worse contract terms than those under which they were recruited;
other conditions include bonded labor, withholding of pay,
restrictions on movement, arbitrary detention, and physical, mental,
and sexual abuse
tier rating: Tier 3 - Qatar failed, for the second consecutive year,
to enforce criminal laws against traffickers, or to provide an
effective mechanism to identify and protect victims; it continues to
detain and deport victims rather than providing them protection; the
government made little progress to increase prosecutions for
trafficking in a meaningful way in 2007; workers complaining of
working conditions or non-payment of wages were sometimes penalized
(2008)
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@Romania (Europe)
Introduction ::Romania
Background:
The principalities of Wallachia and Moldavia - for centuries under
the suzerainty of the Turkish Ottoman Empire - secured their
autonomy in 1856; they united in 1859 and a few years later adopted
the new name of Romania. The country gained recognition of its
independence in 1878. It joined the Allied Powers in World War I and
acquired new territories - most notably Transylvania - following the
conflict. In 1940, Romania allied with the Axis powers and
participated in the 1941 German invasion of the USSR. Three years
later, overrun by the Soviets, Romania signed an armistice. The
post-war Soviet occupation led to the formation of a Communist
"people's republic" in 1947 and the abdication of the king. The
decades-long rule of dictator Nicolae CEAUSESCU, who took power in
1965, and his Securitate police state became increasingly oppressive
and draconian through the 1980s. CEAUSESCU was overthrown and
executed in late 1989. Former Communists dominated the government
until 1996 when they were swept from power. Romania joined NATO in
2004 and the EU in 2007.
Geography ::Romania
Location:
Southeastern Europe, bordering the Black Sea, between Bulgaria and
Ukraine
Geographic coordinates:
46 00 N, 25 00 E
Map references:
Europe
Area:
total: 238,391 sq km
country comparison to the world: 82
land: 229,891 sq km
water: 8,500 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than Oregon
Land boundaries:
total: 2,508 km
border countries: Bulgaria 608 km, Hungary 443 km, Moldova 450 km,
Serbia 476 km, Ukraine (north) 362 km, Ukraine (east) 169 km
Coastline:
225 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Climate:
temperate; cold, cloudy winters with frequent snow and fog; sunny
summers with frequent showers and thunderstorms
Terrain:
central Transylvanian Basin is separated from the Moldavian Plateau
on the east by the Eastern Carpathian Mountains and separated from
the Walachian Plain on the south by the Transylvanian Alps
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Black Sea 0 m
highest point: Moldoveanu 2,544 m
Natural resources:
petroleum (reserves declining), timber, natural gas, coal, iron ore,
salt, arable land, hydropower
Land use:
arable land: 39.49%
permanent crops: 1.92%
other: 58.59% (2005)
Irrigated land:
30,770 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
42.3 cu km (2003)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 6.5 cu km/yr (9%/34%/57%)
per capita: 299 cu m/yr (2003)
Natural hazards:
earthquakes, most severe in south and southwest; geologic structure
and climate promote landslides
Environment - current issues:
soil erosion and degradation; water pollution; air pollution in
south from industrial effluents; contamination of Danube delta
wetlands
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic
Pollutants, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty,
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol,
Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification,
Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship
Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
controls most easily traversable land route between the Balkans,
Moldova, and Ukraine
People ::Romania
Population:
22,215,421 (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 51
Age structure:
0-14 years: 15.5% (male 1,772,583/female 1,681,539)
15-64 years: 69.7% (male 7,711,062/female 7,784,041)
65 years and over: 14.7% (male 1,332,120/female 1,934,076) (2009
est.)
Median age:
total: 37.7 years
male: 36.3 years
female: 39.2 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
-0.147% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 216
Birth rate:
10.53 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 185
Death rate:
11.88 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 39
Net migration rate:
-0.13 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 94
Urbanization:
urban population: 54% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: -0.1% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female
total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 22.9 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 95
male: 25.94 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 19.66 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 72.45 years
country comparison to the world: 117
male: 68.95 years
female: 76.16 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.39 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 197
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
less than 0.1% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 126
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
15,000 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 87
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
350 (2001 est.)
country comparison to the world: 102
Nationality:
noun: Romanian(s)
adjective: Romanian
Ethnic groups:
Romanian 89.5%, Hungarian 6.6%, Roma 2.5%, Ukrainian 0.3%, German
0.3%, Russian 0.2%, Turkish 0.2%, other 0.4% (2002 census)
Religions:
Eastern Orthodox (including all sub-denominations) 86.8%, Protestant
(various denominations including Reformate and Pentecostal) 7.5%,
Roman Catholic 4.7%, other (mostly Muslim) and unspecified 0.9%,
none 0.1% (2002 census)
Languages:
Romanian 91% (official), Hungarian 6.7%, Romany (Gypsy) 1.1%, other
1.2%
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 97.3%
male: 98.4%
female: 96.3% (2002 census)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 14 years
male: 14 years
female: 14 years (2006)
Education expenditures:
3.5% of GDP (2005)
country comparison to the world: 129
Government ::Romania
Country name:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Romania
local long form: none
local short form: Romania
Government type:
republic
Capital:
name: Bucharest
geographic coordinates: 44 26 N, 26 06 E
time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last
Sunday in October
Administrative divisions:
41 counties (judete, singular - judet) and 1 municipality*
(municipiu); Alba, Arad, Arges, Bacau, Bihor, Bistrita-Nasaud,
Botosani, Braila, Brasov, Bucuresti (Bucharest)*, Buzau, Calarasi,
Caras-Severin, Cluj, Constanta, Covasna, Dimbovita, Dolj, Galati,
Gorj, Giurgiu, Harghita, Hunedoara, Ialomita, Iasi, Ilfov,
Maramures, Mehedinti, Mures, Neamt, Olt, Prahova, Salaj, Satu Mare,
Sibiu, Suceava, Teleorman, Timis, Tulcea, Vaslui, Vilcea, Vrancea
Independence:
9 May 1877 (independence proclaimed from the Ottoman Empire;
independence recognized 13 July 1878 by the Treaty of Berlin); 26
March 1881 (kingdom proclaimed); 30 December 1947 (republic
proclaimed)
National holiday:
Unification Day (of Romania and Transylvania), 1 December (1918)
Constitution:
8 December 1991; revised 29 October 2003
Legal system:
based on civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ
jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Traian BASESCU (since 20 December 2004);
note - President Traian BASESCU was suspended by vote of parliament
on 19 April 2007, but resumed his duties on 23 May 2007 after a
popular referendum confirmed that his impeachment should not stand
head of government: Prime Minister Emil BOC (since 22 December 2008)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister
elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term
(eligible for a second term); election last held 28 November 2004
with runoff between the top two candidates held 12 December 2004
(next to be held in November-December 2009); prime minister
appointed by the president with the consent of the Parliament
election results: percent of vote - Traian BASESCU 51.23%, Adrian
NASTASE 48.77%
Legislative branch:
bicameral Parliament or Parlament consists of the Senate or Senat
(137 seats; members are elected by popular vote in a mixed electoral
system to serve four-year terms) and the Chamber of Deputies or
Camera Deputatilor (334 seats; members are elected by popular vote
in a mixed electoral system to serve four-year terms)
elections: Senate - last held 30 November 2008 (next expected to be
held in November 2012); Chamber of Deputies - last held 30 November
2008 (next expected to be held November 2012)
election results: Senate - percent of vote by alliance/party -
PSD-PC 34.2%, PDL 33.6%, PNL 18.7%, UDMR 6.4%, other 7.1%; seats by
alliance/party - PSD-PC 49, PDL 51, PNL 28, UDMR 9; Chamber of
Deputies - percent of vote by alliance/party - PSD-PC 33.1%, PDL
32.4%, PNL 18.6%, UDMR 6.2%, ethnic minorities 3.6%, other 6.1%;
seats by alliance/party - PSD-PC 114, PDL 115, PNL 65, UDMR 22,
ethnic minorities 18
Judicial branch: