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Compare Qatar (2001) - Iceland (2003)

Compare Qatar (2001) z Iceland (2003)

 Qatar (2001)Iceland (2003)
 QatarIceland
Administrative divisions 9 municipalities (baladiyat, singular - baladiyah); Ad Dawhah, Al Ghuwayriyah, Al Jumayliyah, Al Khawr, Al Wakrah, Ar Rayyan, Jarayan al Batinah, Madinat ash Shamal, Umm Salal 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
Age structure 0-14 years:
25.77% (male 101,155; female 97,086)

15-64 years:
71.75% (male 391,178; female 160,665)

65 years and over:
2.48% (male 13,625; female 5,443) (2001 est.)
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.)
Agriculture - products fruits, vegetables; poultry, dairy products, beef; fish potatoes, green vegetables, chicken, pork, mutton; fish
Airports 4 (2000 est.) 86 (2002)
Airports - with paved runways total:
2

over 3,047 m:
2 (2000 est.)
total: 13


over 3,047 m: 1


1,524 to 2,437 m: 4


914 to 1,523 m: 8 (2002)
Airports - with unpaved runways total:
2

914 to 1,523 m:
1

under 914 m:
1 (2000 est.)
total: 73


1,524 to 2,437 m: 3


914 to 1,523 m: 21


under 914 m: 49 (2002)
Area total:
11,437 sq km

land:
11,437 sq km

water:
0 sq km
total: 103,000 sq km


land: 100,250 sq km


water: 2,750 sq km
Area - comparative slightly smaller than Connecticut slightly smaller than Kentucky
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. He was overthrown by his son, the current Amir HAMAD bin Khalifa Al Thani, 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 a per capita income not far below the leading industrial countries of Western Europe. 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.
Birth rate 15.91 births/1,000 population (2001 est.) 14.13 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Budget revenues:
$3.9 billion

expenditures:
$4 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1999 est.)
revenues: $3.5 billion


expenditures: $3.3 billion, including capital expenditures of $467 million (1999)
Capital Doha Reykjavik
Climate desert; hot, dry; humid and sultry in summer temperate; moderated by North Atlantic Current; mild, windy winters; damp, cool summers
Coastline 563 km 4,988 km
Constitution provisional constitution enacted 19 April 1972; in July 1999 Amir HAMAD issued a decree forming a committee to draft a permanent constitution 16 June 1944, effective 17 June 1944
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
conventional long form: Republic of Iceland


conventional short form: Iceland


local long form: Lydhveldidh Island


local short form: Island
Currency Qatari rial (QAR) Icelandic krona (ISK)
Death rate 4.26 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.) 6.95 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Debt - external $13.1 billion (2000 est.) $2.6 billion (1999)
Diplomatic representation from the US chief of mission:
Ambassador Elizabeth Davenport MCKUNE

embassy:
22 February Road, Doha

mailing address:
P. O. Box 2399, Doha

telephone:
[974] 488 4101

FAX:
[974] 488 4298

note:
workweek is Saturday-Wednesday
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
Diplomatic representation in the US chief of mission:
Ambassador Badr Umar al-DAFA

chancery:
4200 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016

telephone:
[1] (202) 274-1600

FAX:
[1] (202) 237-0061

consulate(s) general:
Houston
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
Disputes - international in March of 2001, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) awarded the Hawar Islands to Bahrain and adjusted its maritime boundary with Qatar; a final border resolution was agreed to with Saudi Arabia in March of 2001 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
Economic aid - donor - $NA
Economic aid - recipient $NA -
Economy - overview Oil accounts for more than 30% of GDP, roughly 80% of export earnings, and 66% of government revenues. Proved oil reserves of 3.7 billion barrels should ensure continued output at current levels for 23 years. Oil has given Qatar a per capita GDP comparable to that of the leading West European industrial countries. Qatar's proved reserves of natural gas exceed 7 trillion cubic meters, more than 5% of the world total, third largest in the world. Production and export of natural gas are becoming increasingly important. Long-term goals feature the development of offshore petroleum and the diversification of the economy. In 2000, Qatar posted its highest ever trade surplus of $6 billion, due mainly to high oil prices and increased natural gas exports. 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%.
Electricity - consumption 8.37 billion kWh (1999) 7.341 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (1999) 0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (1999) 0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - production 9 billion kWh (1999) 7.894 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - production by source fossil fuel:
100%

hydro:
0%

nuclear:
0%

other:
0% (1999)
fossil fuel: 0.1%


hydro: 82.5%


nuclear: 0%


other: 17.5% (2001)
Elevation extremes lowest point:
Persian Gulf 0 m

highest point:
Qurayn Abu al Bawl 103 m
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m


highest point: Hvannadalshnukur 2,119 m (at Vatnajokull glacier)
Environment - current issues limited natural fresh water resources are increasing dependence on large-scale desalination facilities water pollution from fertilizer runoff; inadequate wastewater treatment
Environment - international agreements party to:
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection

signed, but not ratified:
Law of the Sea
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
Ethnic groups Arab 40%, Pakistani 18%, Indian 18%, Iranian 10%, other 14% homogeneous mixture of descendants of Norse and Celts 94%, population of foreign origin 6%
Exchange rates Qatari rials per US dollar - 3.6400 (fixed rate) Icelandic kronur per US dollar - 91.66 (2002), 97.42 (2001), 78.62 (2000), 72.34 (1999), 70.96 (1998)
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); 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)

cabinet:
Council of Ministers appointed by the monarch

elections:
none; the monarch is hereditary

note:
in March 1999 Qatar held nationwide elections for a 29-member Central Municipal Council, which has consultative powers aimed at improving the provision of municipal services
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
Exports $9.8 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.) 0 bbl/day (2001)
Exports - commodities petroleum products 80%, fertilizers, steel fish and fish products 70%, animal products, aluminum, diatomite, ferrosilicon
Exports - partners Japan 52%, Singapore 9%, South Korea 8%, US, UAE (1998) 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)
Fiscal year 1 April - 31 March calendar year
Flag description maroon with a broad white serrated band (nine white points) on the hoist side 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)
GDP purchasing power parity - $15.1 billion (2000 est.) purchasing power parity - $8.444 billion (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture:
1%

industry:
49%

services:
50% (1996 est.)
agriculture: 14% (includes fishing 12%)


industry: 21%


services: 65% (2001 est.)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $20,300 (2000 est.) purchasing power parity - $30,200 (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 4% (2000 est.) -0.6% (2002 est.)
Geographic coordinates 25 30 N, 51 15 E 65 00 N, 18 00 W
Geography - note strategic location in central Persian Gulf near major petroleum deposits 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
Heliports 1 (2000 est.) -
Highways total:
1,230 km

paved:
1,107 km

unpaved:
123 km (1996)
total: 12,955 km


paved/oiled gravel: 3,863 km


unpaved: 9,092 km (2003)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%:
NA%

highest 10%:
NA%
lowest 10%: NA%


highest 10%: NA%
Imports $3.8 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.) 15,470 bbl/day (2001)
Imports - commodities machinery and transport equipment, food, chemicals machinery and equipment, petroleum products; foodstuffs, textiles
Imports - partners UK 10%, Japan 8%, Germany 6%, US 6%, Italy 6% (1998) US 10.9%, Germany 10.7%, Denmark 8.5%, Norway 8%, UK 7.5%, Netherlands 6%, Sweden 5.9% (2002)
Independence 3 September 1971 (from UK) 1 December 1918 (became a sovereign state under the Danish Crown); 17 June 1944 (from Denmark)
Industrial production growth rate NA% 0.2% (2002 est.)
Industries crude oil production and refining, fertilizers, petrochemicals, steel reinforcing bars, cement fish processing; aluminum smelting, ferrosilicon production, geothermal power; tourism
Infant mortality rate 21.44 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 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.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2.5% (2000) 5.2% (2002 est.)
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 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
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) 1 (2000) 20 (2001)
Irrigated land 80 sq km (1993 est.) NA sq km
Judicial branch Court of Appeal 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)
Labor force 233,000 (1993 est.) 159,000 (2000)
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 total:
60 km

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

permanent crops:
0%

permanent pastures:
5%

forests and woodland:
0%

other:
94% (1993 est.)
arable land: 1%


permanent crops: 0%


permanent pastures: 28%


forest and woodlands: 1%


other: 70% (2001 est.)
Languages Arabic (official), English commonly used as a second language Icelandic, English, Nordic languages, German widely spoken
Legal system discretionary system of law controlled by the amir, although civil codes are being implemented; Islamic law is significant in personal matters civil law system based on Danish law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Legislative branch unicameral Advisory Council or Majlis al-Shura (35 seats; members appointed)

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 their terms extended every four years since
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
Life expectancy at birth total population:
72.62 years

male:
70.16 years

female:
75.21 years (2001 est.)
total population: 79.8 years


male: 77.54 years


female: 82.22 years (2003 est.)
Literacy definition:
age 15 and over can read and write

total population:
79%

male:
79%

female:
80% (1995 est.)
definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 99.9% (1997 est.)


male: NA%


female: NA%
Location Middle East, peninsula bordering the Persian Gulf and Saudi Arabia Northern Europe, island between the Greenland Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, northwest of the UK
Map references Middle East Arctic Region
Maritime claims contiguous zone:
24 NM

exclusive economic zone:
as determined by bilateral agreements or the median line

territorial sea:
12 NM
continental shelf: 200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin


exclusive economic zone: 200 NM


territorial sea: 12 NM
Merchant marine total:
25 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 677,992 GRT/1,049,447 DWT

ships by type:
cargo 10, combination ore/oil 2, container 7, petroleum tanker 6 (2000 est.)
total: 1 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 3,500 GRT/5,000 DWT


ships by type: chemical tanker 1 (2002 est.)
Military - note - defense is provided by the US-manned Icelandic Defense Force (IDF) headquartered at Keflavik
Military branches Army, Navy, Air Force, Public Security no regular armed forces; Police, Coast Guard
Military expenditures - dollar figure $723 million (FY00/01) $0
Military expenditures - percent of GDP 10% (FY00/01) -
Military manpower - availability males age 15-49:
312,116

note:
includes non-nationals (2001 est.)
males age 15-49: 71,157 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service males age 15-49:
163,642 (2001 est.)
males age 15-49: 62,552 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - military age 18 years of age -
Military manpower - reaching military age annually males:
6,797 (2001 est.)
-
National holiday Independence Day, 3 September (1971) Independence Day, 17 June (1944)
Nationality noun:
Qatari(s)

adjective:
Qatari
noun: Icelander(s)


adjective: Icelandic
Natural hazards haze, dust storms, sandstorms common earthquakes and volcanic activity
Natural resources petroleum, natural gas, fish fish, hydropower, geothermal power, diatomite
Net migration rate 20.12 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) -2.26 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Pipelines crude oil 235 km; natural gas 400 km -
Political parties and leaders none 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]
Political pressure groups and leaders none NA
Population 769,152 (July 2001 est.) 280,798 (July 2003 est.)
Population below poverty line NA% NA%
Population growth rate 3.18% (2001 est.) 0.49% (2003 est.)
Ports and harbors Doha, Halul Island, Umm Sa'id (Musay'id) Akureyri, Hornafjordhur, Isafjordhur, Keflavik, Raufarhofn, Reykjavik, Seydhisfjordhur, Straumsvik, Vesttmannaeyjar
Radio broadcast stations AM 6, FM 5, shortwave 1 (1998) AM 3, FM about 70 (including repeaters), shortwave 1 (1998)
Radios 256,000 (1997) -
Railways 0 km 0 km
Religions Muslim 95% Evangelical Lutheran 87.1%, other Protestant 4.1%, Roman Catholic 1.7%, other 7.1% (2002)
Sex ratio at birth:
1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years:
1.04 male(s)/female

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

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

total population:
1.92 male(s)/female (2001 est.)
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.)
Suffrage suffrage is limited to municipal elections 18 years of age; universal
Telephone system general assessment:
modern system centered in Doha

domestic:
NA

international:
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
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)
Telephones - main lines in use 142,000 (1997) 196,984 (2001)
Telephones - mobile cellular 43,476 (1997) 248,131 (221,231 GSM, 26,900 NMT) (2001)
Television broadcast stations 2 (plus three repeaters) (1997) 14 (plus 156 low-power repeaters) (1997)
Terrain mostly flat and barren desert covered with loose sand and gravel mostly plateau interspersed with mountain peaks, icefields; coast deeply indented by bays and fiords
Total fertility rate 3.17 children born/woman (2001 est.) 1.98 children born/woman (2003 est.)
Unemployment rate NA% 2.8% (2002 est.)
Waterways none none
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