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; seats - (30 total)

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, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO
(correspondent), ITU, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,
UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO

Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador ABD AL-RAHMAN bin Saud bin Fahd Al Thani
chancery: Suite 1180, 600 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC
20037
telephone: [1] (202) 338-0111

US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Patrick N. THEROS
embassy: 149 Armed 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

Flag: maroon with a broad white serrated band (nine white points)
on the hoist side

Economy
-------

Economic overview: Oil is the backbone of the economy and accounts
for more than 30% of GDP, roughly 75% of export earnings, and 70% of
government revenues. Proved oil reserves of 3.3 billion barrels
should ensure continued output at current levels for about 25 years.
Oil has given Qatar a per capita GDP comparable to the leading West
European industrial countries. Production and export of natural gas
are becoming increasingly important. Long-term goals feature the
development of off-shore petroleum and the diversification of the
economy.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $10.7 billion (1994 est.)

GDP real growth rate: -1% (1994 est.)

GDP per capita: $20,820 (1994 est.)

GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 1%
industry: 50%
services: 49% (1993 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3% (1993 est.)

Labor force: 233,000 (1993 est.)

Unemployment rate: NA%

Budget:
revenues: $2.5 billion
expenditures: $3.5 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(FY95/96)

Industries: crude oil production and refining, fertilizers,
petrochemicals, steel reinforcing bars, cement

Industrial production growth rate: NA%

Electricity:
capacity: 1,520,000 kW
produ