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
Data code:
QA
Government type:
traditional monarchy
Capital:
Doha
Administrative divisions:
9 municipalities (baladiyat, singularbaladiyah); Ad Dawhah, Al
Ghuwayriyah, Al Jumayliyah, Al Khawr, Al Wakrah, Ar Rayyan, Jarayan al
Batinah, Madinat ash Shamal, Umm Salal
Independence:
3 September 1971 (from UK)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 3 September (1971)
Constitution:
provisional constitution enacted 19 April 1972
Legal system:
discretionary system of law controlled by the amir, although civil codes
are being implemented; Islamic law is significant in personal matters
Suffrage:
none
Executive branch:
chief of state:
Amir HAMAD bin Khalifa Al Thani (since 27 June 1995 when, as crown prince,
he ousted his father, Amir KHALIFA bin Hamad Al Thani, in a bloodless
coup); Crown Prince JASSIM bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, third son of the
monarch (selected crown prince by the monarch 22 October 1996); noteAmir
HAMAD also holds the positions of minister of defense and
commander-in-chief of the armed forces
head of government:
Prime Minister ABDALLAH bin Khalifa Al Thani, brother of the monarch (since
30 October 1996); Deputy Prime Minister MUHAMMAD bin Khalifa Al Thani,
brother of the monarch (since 20 January 1998)
cabinet:
Council of Ministers appointed by the monarch
elections:
none; the monarch is hereditary
Legislative branch:
unicameral Advisory Council or Majlis al-Shura (35 seats; members appointed
by the monarch)
note:
the constitution calls for elections for part of this consultative body,
but no elections have been held since 1970, when there were partial
elections to the body; Council members have had their terms extended every
four years since
Judicial branch:
Court of Appeal
Political parties and leaders:
none
International organization participation:
ABEDA, AFESD, AL, AMF, CCC, ESCWA, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM,
IDB, IFAD, IFRCS, IHO (pending member), ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat,
Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, UN,
UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Saad Muhammad al-KUBAYSI
chancery:
Suite 200, 4200 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016
telephone:
[1] (202) 274-1600
consulate(s) general:
Houston
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Elizabeth MCKUNE
embassy:
149 Ahmed Bin Ali St., Fariq Bin Omran (opposite the television station),
Doha
mailing address:
P. O. Box 2399, Doha
telephone:
[974] 864701 through 864703
FAX:
[974] 861669
note:
work week is Saturday-Wednesday
Flag description:
maroon with a broad white serrated band (nine white points) on the hoist
side