Part 165

Chapter 1653,751 wordsPublic domain

Supreme Court; Appellate Court; Court of First Instance composed of two sections: a Superior Court and a Municipal Court (justices for all these courts appointed by the governor with the consent of the Senate)

Political parties and leaders:

National Democratic Party [Roberto PRATS]; National Republican Party of Puerto Rico [Dr. Tiody FERRE]; New Progressive Party or PNP [Pedro ROSSELLO] (pro-US statehood); Popular Democratic Party or PPD [Anibal ACEVEDO-VILA] (pro-commonwealth); Puerto Rican Independence Party or PIP [Ruben BERRIOS Martinez] (pro-independence)

Political pressure groups and leaders:

Boricua Popular Army or EPB (a revolutionary group also known as Los Macheteros); note - the following radical groups are considered dormant by Federal law enforcement: Armed Forces for National Liberation or FALN, Armed Forces of Popular Resistance, Volunteers of the Puerto Rican Revolution

International organization participation:

Caricom (observer), Interpol (subbureau), IOC, ITUC, UNWTO (associate), UPU

Diplomatic representation in the US:

none (territory of the US with commonwealth status)

Diplomatic representation from the US:

none (territory of the US with commonwealth status)

Flag description:

five equal horizontal bands of red (top and bottom) alternating with 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:

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

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@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:

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

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:

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:

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)