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Compare British Virgin Islands (2005) - Qatar (2007)

Compare British Virgin Islands (2005) z Qatar (2007)

 British Virgin Islands (2005)Qatar (2007)
 British Virgin IslandsQatar
Administrative divisions none (overseas territory of the UK) 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
Age structure 0-14 years: 21% (male 2,400/female 2,358)


15-64 years: 73.9% (male 8,607/female 8,115)


65 years and over: 5.1% (male 614/female 549) (2005 est.)
0-14 years: 23.1% (male 106,853/female 102,713)


15-64 years: 72.9% (male 455,631/female 206,099)


65 years and over: 4% (male 26,689/female 9,244) (2007 est.)
Agriculture - products fruits, vegetables; livestock, poultry; fish fruits, vegetables; poultry, dairy products, beef; fish
Airports 3 (2004 est.) 5 (2007)
Airports - with paved runways total: 2


914 to 1,523 m: 1


under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)
total: 3


over 3,047 m: 2


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2007)
Airports - with unpaved runways total: 1


914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2004 est.)
total: 2


914 to 1,523 m: 1


under 914 m: 1 (2007)
Area total: 153 sq km


land: 153 sq km


water: 0 sq km


note: comprised of 16 inhabited and more than 20 uninhabited islands; includes the island of Anegada
total: 11,437 sq km


land: 11,437 sq km


water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative about 0.9 times the size of Washington, DC slightly smaller than Connecticut
Background First settled by the Dutch in 1648, the islands were annexed in 1672 by the English. The economy is closely tied to the larger and more populous US Virgin Islands to the west; the US dollar is the legal currency. 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. Oil and natural gas revenues enable Qatar to have one of the highest per capita incomes in the world.
Birth rate 14.96 births/1,000 population (2005 est.) 15.56 births/1,000 population (2007 est.)
Budget revenues: $121.5 million


expenditures: $115.5 million, including capital expenditures of NA (1997)
revenues: $20.84 billion


expenditures: $16.89 billion (2006 est.)
Capital Road Town name: Doha


geographic coordinates: 25 17 N, 51 32 E


time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Climate subtropical; humid; temperatures moderated by trade winds arid; mild, pleasant winters; very hot, humid summers
Coastline 80 km 563 km
Constitution 1 June 1977 ratified by public referendum on 29 April 2003, endorsed by the amir on 8 June 2004, effective on 9 June 2005
Country name conventional long form: none


conventional short form: British Virgin Islands


abbreviation: BVI
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
Death rate 4.42 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.) 4.82 deaths/1,000 population (2007 est.)
Debt - external $36.1 million (1997) $25.7 billion (2006 est.)
Dependency status overseas territory of the UK; internal self-governing -
Diplomatic representation from the US none (overseas territory of the UK) chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); charge d'Affaires Michael A. RATNEY


embassy: Al-Luqta District, 22 February Road, Doha


mailing address: P. O. Box 2399, Doha


telephone: [974] 488 4298


FAX: [974] 488 4176
Diplomatic representation in the US none (overseas territory of the UK) chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant)


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
Disputes - international none none
Economic aid - recipient NA $NA (2004)
Economy - overview The economy, one of the most stable and prosperous in the Caribbean, is highly dependent on tourism, generating an estimated 45% of the national income. An estimated 350,000 tourists, mainly from the US, visited the islands in 1998. Tourism suffered in 2002 because of the lackluster US economy. In the mid-1980s, the government began offering offshore registration to companies wishing to incorporate in the islands, and incorporation fees now generate substantial revenues. Roughly 400,000 companies were on the offshore registry by yearend 2000. The adoption of a comprehensive insurance law in late 1994, which provides a blanket of confidentiality with regulated statutory gateways for investigation of criminal offenses, is expected to make the British Virgin Islands even more attractive to international business. Livestock raising is the most important agricultural activity; poor soils limit the islands' ability to meet domestic food requirements. Because of traditionally close links with the US Virgin Islands, the British Virgin Islands has used the dollar as its currency since 1959. Oil and gas account for more than 60% of GDP, roughly 85% of export earnings, and 70% of government revenues. Oil and gas have made Qatar one of the world's faster growing and higher per-capita income countries - in 2006 per-capita income equaled that of the EU. Sustained high oil prices and increased natural gas exports in recent years have helped build Qatar's budget and trade surpluses and foreign reserves. Proved oil reserves of more than 15 billion barrels should ensure continued output at current levels for 23 years. Qatar's proved reserves of natural gas exceed 25 trillion cubic meters, more than 5% of the world total and third largest in the world. Qatar has permitted substantial foreign investment in the development of its gas fields during the last decade and is expected to become the world's top liquefied natural gas (LNG) exporter in 2007. Qatar is also trying to attract foreign investment in the development of its non-energy projects by further liberalizing the economy.
Electricity - consumption 33.74 million kWh (2002) 12.52 billion kWh (2005)
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (2002) 0 kWh (2005)
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (2002) 0 kWh (2005)
Electricity - production 36.28 million kWh (2002) 13.54 billion kWh (2005)
Elevation extremes lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m


highest point: Mount Sage 521 m
lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m


highest point: Qurayn Abu al Bawl 103 m
Environment - current issues limited natural fresh water resources (except for a few seasonal streams and springs on Tortola, most of the islands' water supply comes from wells and rainwater catchments) 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
Ethnic groups black 83%, white, Indian, Asian and mixed Arab 40%, Indian 18%, Pakistani 18%, Iranian 10%, other 14%
Exchange rates the US dollar is used Qatari rials per US dollar - 3.64 (2006), 3.64 (2005), 3.64 (2004), 3.64 (2003), 3.64 (2002)
Executive branch chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor Tom MACAN (since 14 October 2002)


head of government: Chief Minister Orlando D. SMITH (since 17 June 2003)


cabinet: Executive Council appointed by the governor from members of the Legislative Council


elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed chief minister by the governor
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 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: none; the monarch is hereditary


note: in April 2003, Qatar held nationwide elections for a 29-member Central Municipal Council (CMC), which has consultative powers aimed at improving the provision of municipal services; the first election for the CMC was held in March 1999
Exports NA NA bbl/day
Exports - commodities rum, fresh fish, fruits, animals; gravel, sand liquefied natural gas (LNG), petroleum products, fertilizers, steel
Exports - partners Virgin Islands (US), Puerto Rico, US Japan 40.5%, South Korea 16.5%, Singapore 6.6%, Thailand 4.2% (2006)
Fiscal year 1 April - 31 March 1 April - 31 March
Flag description blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Virgin Islander coat of arms centered in the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms depicts a woman flanked on either side by a vertical column of six oil lamps above a scroll bearing the Latin word VIGILATE (Be Watchful) maroon with a broad white serrated band (nine white points) on the hoist side
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 1.8%


industry: 6.2%


services: 92% (1996 est.)
agriculture: 0.1%


industry: 75.8%


services: 24.1% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $38,500 (2004 est.) -
GDP - real growth rate 1% (2002 est.) 7.1% (2006 est.)
Geographic coordinates 18 30 N, 64 30 W 25 30 N, 51 15 E
Geography - note strong ties to nearby US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico strategic location in central Persian Gulf near major petroleum deposits
Heliports - 1 (2007)
Highways total: 177 km


paved: 177 km


unpaved: 0 km (2000)
-
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: NA


highest 10%: NA
lowest 10%: NA%


highest 10%: NA%
Illicit drugs transshipment point for South American narcotics destined for the US and Europe; large offshore financial center makes it vulnerable to money laundering -
Imports NA NA bbl/day
Imports - commodities building materials, automobiles, foodstuffs, machinery machinery and transport equipment, food, chemicals
Imports - partners Virgin Islands (US), Puerto Rico, US France 13.4%, Japan 10.2%, US 9.3%, Italy 8.9%, Germany 7.8%, UK 6.3%, Saudi Arabia 5.8%, South Korea 4.7% (2006)
Independence none (overseas territory of the UK) 3 September 1971 (from UK)
Industrial production growth rate NA% 10% (2003 est.)
Industries tourism, light industry, construction, rum, concrete block, offshore financial center crude oil production and refining, ammonia, fertilizers, petrochemicals, steel reinforcing bars, cement, commercial ship repair
Infant mortality rate total: 18.05 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 21.02 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 14.95 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)
total: 17.46 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 20.6 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 14.16 deaths/1,000 live births (2007 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2.5% (2003) 11.8% (2006 est.)
International organization participation Caricom (associate), CDB, Interpol (subbureau), IOC, OECS (associate), UNESCO (associate), UPU ABEDA, ACC, AFESD, AMF, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDB, IFAD, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Irrigated land NA 130 sq km (2002)
Judicial branch Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, consisting of the High Court of Justice and the Court of Appeal (one judge of the Supreme Court is a resident of the islands and presides over the High Court); Magistrate's Court; Juvenile Court; Court of Summary Jurisdiction Courts of First Instance, Appeal, and Cassation; note - the Amir appoints all judges - based on the recommendation of the Supreme Judiciary Council - for renewable three-year terms
Labor force 12,770 (2004) 508,000 (2006 est.)
Labor force - by occupation agriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA% -
Land boundaries 0 km total: 60 km


border countries: Saudi Arabia 60 km
Land use arable land: 20%


permanent crops: 6.67%


other: 73.33% (2001)
arable land: 1.64%


permanent crops: 0.27%


other: 98.09% (2005)
Languages English (official) Arabic (official), English commonly used as a second language
Legal system English law 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
Legislative branch unicameral Legislative Council (13 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote, one member from each of 9 electoral districts, four at-large members; members serve four-year terms)


elections: last held 16 May 2003 (next to be held NA 2007)


election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NDP 8, VIP 5
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 four years since; the new constitution, which came into force on 9 June 2005, provides for a 45-member Consultative 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 in late 2007
Life expectancy at birth total population: 76.49 years


male: 75.41 years


female: 77.62 years (2005 est.)
total population: 74.14 years


male: 71.6 years


female: 76.82 years (2007 est.)
Literacy definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 97.8% (1991 est.)


male: NA%


female: NA%
definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 89%


male: 89.1%


female: 88.6% (2004 census)
Location Caribbean, between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico Middle East, peninsula bordering the Persian Gulf and Saudi Arabia
Map references Central America and the Caribbean Middle East
Maritime claims territorial sea: 3 nm


exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm


contiguous zone: 24 nm


exclusive economic zone: as determined by bilateral agreements or the median line
Merchant marine total: 1 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 83,825 GRT/155,909 DWT


by type: cargo 1


registered in other countries: 7 (2005)
total: 20 ships (1000 GRT or over) 574,969 GRT/856,057 DWT


by type: bulk carrier 1, cargo 2, chemical tanker 2, container 8, liquefied gas 2, petroleum tanker 4, roll on/roll off 1


foreign-owned: 7 (Kuwait 7)


registered in other countries: 3 (Liberia 2, Panama 1) (2007)
Military - note defense is the responsibility of the UK -
Military branches - Qatari Amiri Land Force (QALF), Qatari Amiri Navy (QAN), Qatari Amiri Air Force (QAAF) (2007)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP - 10% (2005 est.)
National holiday Territory Day, 1 July Independence Day, 3 September (1971)
Nationality noun: British Virgin Islander(s)


adjective: British Virgin Islander
noun: Qatari(s)


adjective: Qatari
Natural hazards hurricanes and tropical storms (July to October) haze, dust storms, sandstorms common
Natural resources NEGL petroleum, natural gas, fish
Net migration rate 10.01 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.) 13.12 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2007 est.)
Pipelines - condensate 319 km; condensate/gas 209 km; gas 1,024 km; liquid petroleum gas 87 km; oil 844 km (2006)
Political parties and leaders Concerned Citizens Movement or CCM [Ethlyn SMITH]; National Democratic Party or NDP [Orlando SMITH]; United Party or UP [Gregory MADURO]; Virgin Islands Party or VIP [Ralph T. O'NEAL] none
Political pressure groups and leaders NA none
Population 22,643 (July 2005 est.) 907,229 (July 2007 est.)
Population below poverty line NA NA%
Population growth rate 2.06% (2005 est.) 2.386% (2007 est.)
Ports and harbors Road Town -
Radio broadcast stations AM 1, FM 5, shortwave 0 (2004) AM 6, FM 5, shortwave 1 (1998)
Religions Protestant 86% (Methodist 33%, Anglican 17%, Church of God 9%, Seventh-Day Adventist 6%, Baptist 4%, Jehovah's Witnesses 2%, other 15%), Roman Catholic 10%, none 2%, other 2% (1991) Muslim 77.5%, Christian 8.5%, other 14% (2004 census)
Sex ratio at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 1.12 male(s)/female


total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2005 est.)
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 2.211 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 2.887 male(s)/female


total population: 1.852 male(s)/female (2007 est.)
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal 18 years of age; universal
Telephone system general assessment: worldwide telephone service


domestic: NA


international: country code - 1-284; submarine cable to Bermuda
general assessment: modern system centered in Doha


domestic: NA


international: country code - 974; tropospheric scatter to Bahrain; microwave radio relay to Saudi Arabia and UAE; submarine cable to Bahrain and UAE; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean) and 1 Arabsat
Telephones - main lines in use 11,700 (2002) 228,300 (2006)
Telephones - mobile cellular 8,000 (2002) 919,800 (2006)
Television broadcast stations 1 (plus one cable company) (1997) 1 (plus 3 repeaters) (2001)
Terrain coral islands relatively flat; volcanic islands steep, hilly mostly flat and barren desert covered with loose sand and gravel
Total fertility rate 1.72 children born/woman (2005 est.) 2.75 children born/woman (2007 est.)
Unemployment rate 3% (1995) 3.2% (2006 est.)
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