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Compare Iceland (2003) - Qatar (2005)

Compare Iceland (2003) z Qatar (2005)

 Iceland (2003)Qatar (2005)
 IcelandQatar
Administrative divisions 23 counties (syslur, singular - sysla) and 14 independent towns* (kaupstadhir, singular - kaupstadhur); Akranes*, Akureyri*, Arnessysla, Austur-Bardhastrandarsysla, Austur-Hunavatnssysla, Austur-Skaftafellssysla, Borgarfjardharsysla, Dalasysla, Eyjafjardharsysla, Gullbringusysla, Hafnarfjordhur*, Husavik*, Isafjordhur*, Keflavik*, Kjosarsysla, Kopavogur*, Myrasysla, Neskaupstadhur*, Nordhur-Isafjardharsysla, Nordhur-Mulasys-la, Nordhur-Thingeyjarsysla, Olafsfjordhur*, Rangarvallasysla, Reykjavik*, Saudharkrokur*, Seydhisfjordhur*, Siglufjordhur*, Skagafjardharsysla, Snaefellsnes-og Hnappadalssysla, Strandasysla, Sudhur-Mulasysla, Sudhur-Thingeyjarsysla, Vesttmannaeyjar*, Vestur-Bardhastrandarsysla, Vestur-Hunavatnssysla, Vestur-Isafjardharsysla, Vestur-Skaftafellssysla


note: there may be four other counties
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: 22.7% (male 32,902; female 30,952)


15-64 years: 65.4% (male 92,519; female 91,000)


65 years and over: 11.9% (male 14,973; female 18,452) (2003 est.)
0-14 years: 23.7% (male 104,453/female 100,295)


15-64 years: 72.9% (male 437,118/female 191,830)


65 years and over: 3.4% (male 21,599/female 7,756) (2005 est.)
Agriculture - products potatoes, green vegetables, chicken, pork, mutton; fish fruits, vegetables; poultry, dairy products, beef; fish
Airports 86 (2002) 4 (2004 est.)
Airports - with paved runways total: 13


over 3,047 m: 1


1,524 to 2,437 m: 4


914 to 1,523 m: 8 (2002)
total: 2


over 3,047 m: 2 (2004 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways total: 73


1,524 to 2,437 m: 3


914 to 1,523 m: 21


under 914 m: 49 (2002)
total: 2


914 to 1,523 m: 1


under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)
Area total: 103,000 sq km


land: 100,250 sq km


water: 2,750 sq km
total: 11,437 sq km


land: 11,437 sq km


water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative slightly smaller than Kentucky slightly smaller than Connecticut
Background Settled by Norwegian and Celtic (Scottish and Irish) immigrants during the late 9th and 10th centuries A.D., Iceland boasts the world's oldest functioning legislative assembly, the Althing, established in 930. Independent for over 300 years, Iceland was subsequently ruled by Norway and Denmark. Fallout from the Askja volcano of 1875 devastated the Icelandic economy and caused widespread famine. Over the next quarter century, 20% of the island's population emigrated, mostly to Canada and the US. Limited home rule from Denmark was granted in 1874 and complete independence attained in 1944. Literacy, longevity, income, and social cohesion are first-rate by world standards. 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 14.13 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) 15.54 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Budget revenues: $3.5 billion


expenditures: $3.3 billion, including capital expenditures of $467 million (1999)
revenues: $10.17 billion


expenditures: $7.61 billion, including capital expenditures of $2.2 billion (2004 est.)
Capital Reykjavik Doha
Climate temperate; moderated by North Atlantic Current; mild, windy winters; damp, cool summers arid; mild, pleasant winters; very hot, humid summers
Coastline 4,988 km 563 km
Constitution 16 June 1944, effective 17 June 1944 ratified by public referendum on 29 April 2003, endorsed by the Emir on 8 June 2004, effective on 9 June 2005
Country name conventional long form: Republic of Iceland


conventional short form: Iceland


local long form: Lydhveldidh Island


local short form: Island
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
Currency Icelandic krona (ISK) -
Death rate 6.95 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) 4.61 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Debt - external $2.6 billion (1999) $18.62 billion (2004 est.)
Diplomatic representation from the US chief of mission: Ambassador James I. GADSDEN


embassy: Laufasvegur 21, 101 Reykjavik


mailing address: US Embassy, PSC 1003, Box 40, FPO AE 09728-0340


telephone: [354] 5629100


FAX: [354] 5629118
chief of mission: Ambassador Chase UNTERMEYER


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


mailing address: P. O. Box 2399, Doha


telephone: [974] 488 4101


FAX: [974] 488 4298
Diplomatic representation in the US chief of mission: Ambassador Helgi AGUSTSSON


chancery: Suite 1200, 1156 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005-1704


telephone: [1] (202) 265-6653


FAX: [1] (202) 265-6656


consulate(s) general: New York
chief of mission: Ambassador Nasir bin Hamad bin Mubarak al-KHALIFA


chancery: 4200 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20016


telephone: [1] (202) 274-1600 and 274-1603


FAX: [1] (202) 237-0061


consulate(s) general: Houston
Disputes - international Rockall continental shelf dispute involving Denmark, Iceland, and the UK (Ireland and the UK have signed a boundary agreement in the Rockall area); dispute with Denmark over the Faroe Islands' fisheries median line boundary within 200 NM; disputes with Denmark, the UK, and Ireland over the Faroe Islands continental shelf boundary outside 200 NM none
Economic aid - donor $NA -
Economic aid - recipient - NA
Economy - overview Iceland's Scandinavian-type economy is basically capitalistic, yet with an extensive welfare system (including generous housing subsidies), low unemployment, and remarkably even distribution of income. In the absence of other natural resources (except for abundant hydrothermal and geothermal power), the economy depends heavily on the fishing industry, which provides 70% of export earnings and employs 12% of the work force. The economy remains sensitive to declining fish stocks as well as to fluctuations in world prices for its main exports: fish and fish products, aluminum, and ferrosilicon. Government policies include reducing the budget and current account deficits, limiting foreign borrowing, containing inflation, revising agricultural and fishing policies, diversifying the economy, and privatizing state-owned industries. The government remains opposed to EU membership, primarily because of Icelanders' concern about losing control over their fishing resources. Iceland's economy has been diversifying into manufacturing and service industries in the last decade, and new developments in software production, biotechnology, and financial services are taking place. The tourism sector is also expanding, with the recent trends in ecotourism and whale watching. Growth had been remarkably steady in 1996-2001 at 3%-5%, but could not be sustained in 2002 in an environment of global recession. Growth resumed in 2003, and inflation dropped back from 5% to 2%. Oil and gas account for more than 55% of GDP, roughly 85% of export earnings, and 70% of government revenues. Oil and gas have given Qatar a per capita GDP about 80% of that of the leading West European industrial countries. Proved oil reserves of 16 billion barrels should ensure continued output at current levels for 23 years. Qatar's proved reserves of natural gas exceed 14 trillion cubic meters, more than 5% of the world total and third largest in the world. Long-term goals feature the development of offshore natural gas reserves to offset the ultimate decline in oil production. In recent years, Qatar has consistently posted trade surpluses largely because of high oil prices and increased natural gas exports, becoming one of the world's fastest growing and highest per-capita income countries.
Electricity - consumption 7.341 billion kWh (2001) 9.046 billion kWh (2002)
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (2001) 0 kWh (2002)
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (2001) 0 kWh (2002)
Electricity - production 7.894 billion kWh (2001) 9.727 billion kWh (2002)
Electricity - production by source fossil fuel: 0.1%


hydro: 82.5%


nuclear: 0%


other: 17.5% (2001)
-
Elevation extremes lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m


highest point: Hvannadalshnukur 2,119 m (at Vatnajokull glacier)
lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m


highest point: Qurayn Abu al Bawl 103 m
Environment - current issues water pollution from fertilizer runoff; inadequate wastewater treatment limited natural fresh water resources are increasing dependence on large-scale desalination facilities
Environment - international agreements party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Environmental Protection through Criminal Law, Hazardous Wastes, Kyoto Protocol, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Oil Pollution, Ozone Layer Protection, Persistent Organic Pollutants, Ship Pollution, Transboundary Air Pollution, Wetlands


signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Environmental Modification, Marine Life Conservation
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection


signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Ethnic groups homogeneous mixture of descendants of Norse and Celts 94%, population of foreign origin 6% Arab 40%, Pakistani 18%, Indian 18%, Iranian 10%, other 14%
Exchange rates Icelandic kronur per US dollar - 91.66 (2002), 97.42 (2001), 78.62 (2000), 72.34 (1999), 70.96 (1998) Qatari rials per US dollar - 3.64 (2004), 3.64 (2003), 3.64 (2002), 3.64 (2001), 3.64 (2000)
Executive branch chief of state: President Olafur Ragnar GRIMSSON (since 1 August 1996)


head of government: Prime Minister David ODDSSON (since 30 April 1991)


cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister and approved by Parliament


elections: president, which is largely a ceremonial post, elected by popular vote for a four-year term; election last held 29 June 1996 (next to be held NA June 2004); President GRIMSSON ran unopposed in June 2000 so there were no elections; prime minister appointed by the president


election results: Olafur Ragnar GRIMSSON ran unopposed in 2000 and was reelected
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, third 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 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); First Deputy Prime Minister HAMAD bin JASIM bin JABIR al-Thani (since 16 September 2003; also Foreign Minister since 1992); Second Deputy Prime Minister Abdallah bin Hamad al-ATTIYAH (since 16 September 2003; also Energy Minister since NA 1992)


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 0 bbl/day (2001) NA
Exports - commodities fish and fish products 70%, animal products, aluminum, diatomite, ferrosilicon liquefied natural gas (LNG), petroleum products, fertilizers, steel
Exports - partners Germany 18.5%, UK 17.5%, Netherlands 11.4%, US 10.9%, Spain 5.2%, Denmark 4.6%, Portugal 4.3%, Norway 4.2% (2002) Japan 41.9%, South Korea 15.8%, Singapore 9.1%, India 5.4% (2004)
Fiscal year calendar year 1 April - 31 March
Flag description blue with a red cross outlined in white extending to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag) maroon with a broad white serrated band (nine white points) on the hoist side
GDP purchasing power parity - $8.444 billion (2002 est.) -
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 14% (includes fishing 12%)


industry: 21%


services: 65% (2001 est.)
agriculture: 0.3%


industry: 58.2%


services: 41.5% (2004 est.)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $30,200 (2002 est.) purchasing power parity - $23,200 (2004 est.)
GDP - real growth rate -0.6% (2002 est.) 8.7% (2004 est.)
Geographic coordinates 65 00 N, 18 00 W 25 30 N, 51 15 E
Geography - note strategic location between Greenland and Europe; westernmost European country; Reykjavik is the northernmost national capital in the world; more land covered by glaciers than in all of continental Europe strategic location in central Persian Gulf near major petroleum deposits
Heliports - 1 (2004 est.)
Highways total: 12,955 km


paved/oiled gravel: 3,863 km


unpaved: 9,092 km (2003)
total: 1,230 km


paved: 1,107 km


unpaved: 123 km (1999 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: NA%


highest 10%: NA%
lowest 10%: NA


highest 10%: NA
Imports 15,470 bbl/day (2001) NA
Imports - commodities machinery and equipment, petroleum products; foodstuffs, textiles machinery and transport equipment, food, chemicals
Imports - partners US 10.9%, Germany 10.7%, Denmark 8.5%, Norway 8%, UK 7.5%, Netherlands 6%, Sweden 5.9% (2002) France 26.6%, US 9.5%, Saudi Arabia 9.4%, UAE 6.3%, Germany 5.2%, Japan 5.2%, UK 5.1% (2004)
Independence 1 December 1918 (became a sovereign state under the Danish Crown); 17 June 1944 (from Denmark) 3 September 1971 (from UK)
Industrial production growth rate 0.2% (2002 est.) 10% (2003 est.)
Industries fish processing; aluminum smelting, ferrosilicon production, geothermal power; tourism crude oil production and refining, ammonia, fertilizers, petrochemicals, steel reinforcing bars, cement, commercial ship repair
Infant mortality rate total: 3.5 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 3.79 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 3.19 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)
total: 18.61 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 21.95 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 15.11 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 5.2% (2002 est.) 3% (2004 est.)
International organization participation Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CE, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EFTA, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA (observer), IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, NATO, NC, NEA, NIB, OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNU, UPU, WCO, WEU (associate), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO ABEDA, AFESD, AMF, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDB, IFAD, IFRCS, IHO (pending member), ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, OPEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, WToO
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) 20 (2001) -
Irrigated land NA sq km 130 sq km (1998 est.)
Judicial branch Supreme Court or Haestirettur (justices are appointed for life by the Minister of Justice); eight district courts (justices are appointed for life by the Minister of Justice) Court of Appeal


note: under the new judiciary law issued in 2003, the former two court systems, civil and Islamic law, were merged under a higher court, the Court of Cassation, established for appeals
Labor force 159,000 (2000) 140,000 (2004 est.)
Labor force - by occupation agriculture 5.1%, fishing and fish processing 11.8%, manufacturing 12.9%, construction 10.7%, other services 59.5% (1999) -
Land boundaries 0 km total: 60 km


border countries: Saudi Arabia 60 km
Land use arable land: 1%


permanent crops: 0%


permanent pastures: 28%


forest and woodlands: 1%


other: 70% (2001 est.)
arable land: 1.64%


permanent crops: 0.27%


other: 98.09% (2001)
Languages Icelandic, English, Nordic languages, German widely spoken Arabic (official), English commonly used as a second language
Legal system civil law system based on Danish law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction discretionary system of law controlled by the amir, although civil codes are being implemented; Islamic law dominates family and personal matters
Legislative branch unicameral Parliament or Althing (63 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)


elections: last held 10 May 2003 (next to be held by May 2007)


election results: percent of vote by party - Independence Party 33.7%, Social Democratic Alliance 31.0%, Progressive Party 17.7%, Left-Green Alliance 8.8%, Liberal Party 7.4%; seats by party - Independence Party 22, Social Democratic Alliance 20, Progressive Party 12, Left-Green Alliance 5, Liberal Party 4
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 8 June 2004, 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
Life expectancy at birth total population: 79.8 years


male: 77.54 years


female: 82.22 years (2003 est.)
total population: 73.67 years


male: 71.15 years


female: 76.32 years (2005 est.)
Literacy definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 99.9% (1997 est.)


male: NA%


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


total population: 89%


male: 89.1%


female: 88.6% (2004 est.)
Location Northern Europe, island between the Greenland Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, northwest of the UK Middle East, peninsula bordering the Persian Gulf and Saudi Arabia
Map references Arctic Region Middle East
Maritime claims continental shelf: 200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin


exclusive economic zone: 200 NM


territorial sea: 12 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) 3,500 GRT/5,000 DWT


ships by type: chemical tanker 1 (2002 est.)
total: 22 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 525,051 GRT/772,635 DWT


by type: cargo 3, chemical tanker 5, container 8, liquefied gas 2, petroleum tanker 3, roll on/roll off 1


foreign-owned: 6 (Kuwait 6) (2005)
Military - note defense is provided by the US-manned Icelandic Defense Force (IDF) headquartered at Keflavik -
Military branches no regular armed forces; Police, Coast Guard Qatari Amiri Land Force (QALF), Qatari Amiri Navy (QAN), Qatari Amiri Air Force (QAAF)
Military expenditures - dollar figure $0 $723 million (FY00)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP - 10% (FY00)
Military manpower - availability males age 15-49: 71,157 (2003 est.) -
Military manpower - fit for military service males age 15-49: 62,552 (2003 est.) -
National holiday Independence Day, 17 June (1944) Independence Day, 3 September (1971)
Nationality noun: Icelander(s)


adjective: Icelandic
noun: Qatari(s)


adjective: Qatari
Natural hazards earthquakes and volcanic activity haze, dust storms, sandstorms common
Natural resources fish, hydropower, geothermal power, diatomite petroleum, natural gas, fish
Net migration rate -2.26 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) 15.17 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Pipelines - condensate 319 km; condensate/gas 209 km; gas 1,024 km; liquid petroleum gas 87 km; oil 702 km; oil/gas/water 41 km (2004)
Political parties and leaders Independence Party or IP [David ODDSSON]; Left-Green Alliance or LGP [Steingrimur SIGFUSSON]; Liberal Party or LP [Gudjon KRISTJANSSON]; Progressive Party or PP [Halldor ASGRIMSSON]; Social Democratic Alliance (includes People's Alliance or PA, Social Democratic Party or SDP, Women's List)or SDA [Ossur SKARPHEDINSSON]; Social Democratic Party or SDP [Sighvatur BJORGVINSSON]; Women's List or WL [Kristin ASTGEIRSDOTTIR] none
Political pressure groups and leaders NA none
Population 280,798 (July 2003 est.) 863,051 (July 2005 est.)
Population below poverty line NA% NA
Population growth rate 0.49% (2003 est.) 2.61% (2005 est.)
Ports and harbors Akureyri, Hornafjordhur, Isafjordhur, Keflavik, Raufarhofn, Reykjavik, Seydhisfjordhur, Straumsvik, Vesttmannaeyjar Doha
Radio broadcast stations AM 3, FM about 70 (including repeaters), shortwave 1 (1998) AM 6, FM 5, shortwave 1 (1998)
Railways 0 km -
Religions Evangelical Lutheran 87.1%, other Protestant 4.1%, Roman Catholic 1.7%, other 7.1% (2002) Muslim 95%
Sex ratio at birth: 1.08 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.81 male(s)/female


total population: 1 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 2.28 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 2.78 male(s)/female


total population: 1.88 male(s)/female (2005 est.)
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal 18 years of age; universal
Telephone system general assessment: extensive domestic service


domestic: the trunk network consists of coaxial and fiber-optic cables and microwave radio relay links


international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean), 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions); note - Iceland shares the Inmarsat earth station with the other Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden)
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 196,984 (2001) 184,500 (2003)
Telephones - mobile cellular 248,131 (221,231 GSM, 26,900 NMT) (2001) 376,500 (2003)
Television broadcast stations 14 (plus 156 low-power repeaters) (1997) 1 (plus three repeaters) (2001)
Terrain mostly plateau interspersed with mountain peaks, icefields; coast deeply indented by bays and fiords mostly flat and barren desert covered with loose sand and gravel
Total fertility rate 1.98 children born/woman (2003 est.) 2.87 children born/woman (2005 est.)
Unemployment rate 2.8% (2002 est.) 2.7% (2001)
Waterways none -
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