white; a blue isosceles triangle based on the hoist side bears a
large, white, five-pointed star in the center; the white star
symbolizes Puerto Rico; the three sides of the triangle signify the
executive, legislative and judicial parts of the government; blue
stands for the sky and the coastal waters; red symbolizes the blood
shed by warriors, while white represents liberty, victory, and peace
note: design initially influenced by the US flag, but similar to the
Cuban flag, with the colors of the bands and triangle reversed
National anthem:
name: "La Borinquena" (The Puerto Rican)
lyrics/music: Manuel Fernandez JUNCOS/Felix Astol ARTES
note: music adopted 1952, lyrics adopted 1977; the local anthem's
name is a reference to the indigenous name of the island, Borinquen;
the music was originally composed as a dance in 1867 and gained
popularity in the early 20th century; there is some evidence that
the music was written by Francisco RAMIREZ; as a commonwealth of the
United States, "The Star-Spangled Banner" is official (see United
States)
Economy ::Puerto Rico
Economy - overview:
Puerto Rico has one of the most dynamic economies in the Caribbean
region. A diverse industrial sector has far surpassed agriculture as
the primary locus of economic activity and income. Encouraged by
duty-free access to the US and by tax incentives, US firms have
invested heavily in Puerto Rico since the 1950s. US minimum wage
laws apply. Sugar production has lost out to dairy production and
other livestock products as the main source of income in the
agricultural sector. Tourism has traditionally been an important
source of income with estimated arrivals of more than 3.6 million
tourists in 2008.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$64.84 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 83
$68.84 billion (2009 est.)
$71.51 billion (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$93.52 billion (2010 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
-5.8% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 212
-3.7% (2009 est.)
-2.8% (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$16,300 (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 69
$17,400 (2009 est.)
$18,100 (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 1%
industry: 45%
services: 54% (2005 est.)
Labor force:
1.479 million (2007)
country comparison to the world: 133
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 2.1%
industry: 19%
services: 79% (2005 est.)
Unemployment rate:
12% (2002)
country comparison to the world: 129
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
6.5% (2003 est.)
country comparison to the world: 170
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA
Agriculture - products:
sugarcane, coffee, pineapples, plantains, bananas; livestock
products, chickens
Industries:
pharmaceuticals, electronics, apparel, food products, tourism
Industrial production growth rate:
NA%
Electricity - production:
23.72 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 68
Electricity - consumption:
22.06 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 67
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
1,783 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 103
Oil - consumption:
164,100 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 63
Oil - exports:
16,520 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 93
Oil - imports:
225,000 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 41
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 134
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 141
Natural gas - consumption:
806.6 million cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 90
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 140
Natural gas - imports:
806.6 million cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 56
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 109
Exports:
$46.9 billion (2001)
country comparison to the world: 55
Exports - commodities:
chemicals, electronics, apparel, canned tuna, rum, beverage
concentrates, medical equipment
Imports:
$29.1 billion (2001)
country comparison to the world: 61
Imports - commodities:
chemicals, machinery and equipment, clothing, food, fish, petroleum
products
Debt - external:
$NA
Exchange rates:
the US dollar is used
Communications ::Puerto Rico
Telephones - main lines in use:
870,100 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 83
Telephones - mobile cellular:
2.716 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 118
Telephone system:
general assessment: modern system integrated with that of the US by
high-capacity submarine cable and Intelsat with high-speed data
capability
domestic: digital telephone system; mobile-cellular services
international: country code - 1-787, 939; submarine cables provide
connectivity to the US, Caribbean, Central and South America;
satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat
Broadcast media:
more than 30 television stations operating; cable TV subscription
services are available; roughly 125 radio stations operating (2007)
Internet country code:
.pr
Internet hosts:
482 (2010)
country comparison to the world: 182
Internet users:
1 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 100
Transportation ::Puerto Rico
Airports:
29 (2010)
country comparison to the world: 117
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 17
over 3,047 m: 3
1,524 to 2,437 m: 2
914 to 1,523 m: 7
under 914 m: 5 (2010)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 12
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m: 10 (2010)
Roadways:
total: 26,670 km
country comparison to the world: 102
paved: 25,337 km (includes 427 km of expressways)
unpaved: 1,333 km (2008)
Merchant marine:
total: 3
country comparison to the world: 138
by type: roll on/roll off 3
foreign-owned: 3 (US 3)
registered in other countries: 1 (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
1) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Ensenada Honda, Mayaguez, Playa de Guayanilla, Playa de Ponce, San
Juan
Military ::Puerto Rico
Military branches:
no regular indigenous military forces; paramilitary National Guard,
Police Force
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 704,833
females age 16-49: 788,234 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 30,616
female: 29,196 (2010 est.)
Military - note:
defense is the responsibility of the US
Transnational Issues ::Puerto Rico
Disputes - international:
increasing numbers of illegal migrants from the Dominican Republic
cross the Mona Passage to Puerto Rico each year looking for work
page last updated on January 11, 2011
======================================================================
@Qatar (Middle East)
Introduction ::Qatar
Background:
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 second-highest per capita
income in the world.
Geography ::Qatar
Location:
Middle East, peninsula bordering the Persian Gulf and Saudi Arabia
Geographic coordinates:
25 30 N, 51 15 E
Map references:
Middle East
Area:
total: 11,586 sq km
country comparison to the world: 165
land: 11,586 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than Connecticut
Land boundaries:
total: 60 km
border countries: Saudi Arabia 60 km
Coastline:
563 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: as determined by bilateral agreements or
the median line
Climate:
arid; mild, pleasant winters; very hot, humid summers
Terrain:
mostly flat and barren desert covered with loose sand and gravel
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m
highest point: Tuwayyir al Hamir 103 m
Natural resources:
petroleum, natural gas, fish
Land use:
arable land: 1.64%
permanent crops: 0.27%
other: 98.09% (2005)
Irrigated land:
130 sq km (2002)
Total renewable water resources:
0.1 cu km (1997)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 0.29 cu km/yr (24%/3%/72%)
per capita: 358 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
haze, dust storms, sandstorms common
Environment - current issues:
limited natural fresh water resources are increasing dependence on
large-scale desalination facilities
Environment - international agreements:
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:
strategic location in central Persian Gulf near major petroleum
deposits
People ::Qatar
Population:
840,926 (July 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 159
Age structure:
0-14 years: 21.8% (male 93,805/female 88,040)
15-64 years: 76.8% (male 454,714/female 185,004)
65 years and over: 1.4% (male 6,792/female 4,930) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 30.8 years
male: 32.9 years
female: 25.4 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.869% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 130
Birth rate:
15.54 births/1,000 population (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 134
Death rate:
2.44 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 223
Net migration rate:
-4.41 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 197
Urbanization:
urban population: 96% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 2.2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.056 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 2.44 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.36 male(s)/female
total population: 1.99 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 12.24 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 137
male: 13.02 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 11.41 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 75.51 years
country comparison to the world: 83
male: 73.78 years
female: 77.33 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.44 children born/woman (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 94
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.1% (2001 est.)
country comparison to the world: 161
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: 12 years
female: 15 years (2008)
Education expenditures:
3.3% of GDP (2005)
country comparison to the world: 140
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:
7 municipalities (baladiyat, singular - baladiyah); Ad Dawhah, Al
Khawr wa adh Dhakhirah, Al Wakrah, Ar Rayyan, Ash Shamal, Az
Za'ayin, 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: Council of Ministers appointed by the amir
(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, 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, UNMIS, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, 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; 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:
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 ::Qatar
Economy - overview:
Despite the global financial crisis, Qatar has prospered in the last
several years - in 2010 Qatar had the world's highest growth rate.
Qatari authorities throughout the 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.
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 likely the country
with the lowest unemployment. Proved oil reserves of 15 billion
barrels should enable continued output at current levels for 37
years. Qatar's proved reserves of natural gas exceed 25 trillion
cubic meters, about 14% 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.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$122.2 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 61
$102.3 billion (2009 est.)
$93.44 billion (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$126.5 billion (2010 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
19.4% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 1
9.5% (2009 est.)
11.7% (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$145,300 (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 1
$122,800 (2009 est.)
$113,300 (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 0.1%
industry: 78.8%
services: 21.1% (2010 est.)
Labor force:
1.254 million (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 137
Unemployment rate:
0.5% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 2
0.5% (2009 est.)
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Investment (gross fixed):
33% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 12
Public debt:
10.3% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 122
14% of GDP (2009 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
1.1% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 23
-4.9% (2009 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
5.5% (31 December 2009)
country comparison to the world: 80
5.5% (31 December 2008)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
7.04% (31 December 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 131
6.84% (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$15.98 billion (31 December 2010 est)
country comparison to the world: 66
$14.59 billion (31 December 2009 est)
Stock of broad money:
$65.95 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 61
$59.09 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of domestic credit:
$70.9 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 57
$69.21 billion (31 December 2009)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$87.86 billion (31 December 2009)
country comparison to the world: 42
$76.31 billion (31 December 2008)
$95.49 billion (31 December 2007)
Agriculture - products:
fruits, vegetables; poultry, dairy products, beef; fish
Industries:
liquefied natural gas, crude oil production and refining, ammonia,
fertilizers, petrochemicals, steel reinforcing bars, cement,
commercial ship repair
Industrial production growth rate:
27.1% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 1
Electricity - production:
15.11 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 80
Electricity - consumption:
13.73 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 78
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
1.213 million bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 21
Oil - consumption:
142,000 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 69
Oil - exports:
753,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 22
Oil - imports:
0 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 208
Oil - proved reserves:
25.41 billion bbl (1 January 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 12
Natural gas - production:
76.98 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 11
Natural gas - consumption:
20.2 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 33
Natural gas - exports:
56.78 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 5
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 144
Natural gas - proved reserves:
25.47 trillion cu m (1 January 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 3
Current account balance:
$20.11 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 17
$809 million (2009 est.)
Exports:
$57.82 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 48
$33.28 billion (2009 est.)
Exports - commodities:
liquefied natural gas (LNG), petroleum products, fertilizers, steel
Exports - partners:
Japan 34.68%, South Korea 22.44%, Singapore 10.03%, India 4.86%
(2009)
Imports:
$23.38 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 66
$20.89 billion (2009 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery and transport equipment, food, chemicals
Imports - partners:
US 13.43%, Italy 8.34%, South Korea 8.33%, Japan 8.04%, Germany
7.31%, France 6.26%, UK 5.59%, China 5%, UAE 4.67%, Saudi Arabia
3.96% (2009)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$22.41 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 40
$18.81 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Debt - external:
$71.38 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 44
$70.37 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$26.38 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 63
$20.75 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$19.49 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 42
$14.27 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Exchange rates:
Qatari rials (QAR) per US dollar - 3.64 (2010), 3.64 (2009), 3.64
(2008), 3.64 (2007), 3.64 (2006)
Communications ::Qatar
Telephones - main lines in use:
285,300 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 116
Telephones - mobile cellular:
2.472 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 122
Telephone system:
general assessment: modern system centered in Doha
domestic: combined fixed and mobile-cellular telephone
subscribership exceeds 300 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 (2009)
Broadcast media:
television 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)
Internet country code:
.qa
Internet hosts:
822 (2010)
country comparison to the world: 170
Internet users:
563,800 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 117
Transportation ::Qatar
Airports:
6 (2010)
country comparison to the world: 173
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 4
over 3,047 m: 3
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2010)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 2
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m: 1 (2010)
Heliports:
1 (2010)
Pipelines: