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Compare Qatar (2004) - Iceland (2002)

Compare Qatar (2004) z Iceland (2002)

 Qatar (2004)Iceland (2002)
 QatarIceland
Administrative divisions 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 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: 24.2% (male 103,660; female 99,597)


15-64 years: 72.7% (male 426,559; female 184,067)


65 years and over: 3.1% (male 19,306; female 7,101) (2004 est.)
0-14 years: 23% (male 33,189; female 31,155)


15-64 years: 65.1% (male 91,704; female 90,199)


65 years and over: 11.9% (male 14,828; female 18,309) (2002 est.)
Agriculture - products fruits, vegetables; poultry, dairy products, beef; fish potatoes, turnips; cattle, sheep; fish
Airports 4 (2003 est.) 86 (2001)
Airports - with paved runways total: 2


over 3,047 m: 2 (2004 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 (2004 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 one of the highest per capita incomes in the world. 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 15.6 births/1,000 population (2004 est.) 14.37 births/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Budget revenues: $8.202 billion


expenditures: $6.981 billion, including capital expenditures of $2.2 billion (2003 est.)
revenues: $3.5 billion


expenditures: $3.3 billion, including capital expenditures of $467 million (1999)
Capital Doha Reykjavik
Climate arid; mild, pleasant winters; very hot, humid summers 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; in the 29 April 2003 referendum, 96.6% of Qatari voters approved the new constitution; on 8 June 2004 the new constitution came into force 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 4.52 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.) 6.93 deaths/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Debt - external $17.5 billion (2003 est.) $2.6 billion (1999)
Diplomatic representation from the US 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
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] 5629139
Diplomatic representation in the US chief of mission: Ambassador Badr Umar al-DAFA


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
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 none 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 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 14.5 billion barrels should ensure continued output at current levels for 23 years. Qatar's proved reserves of natural gas exceed 17.9 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. Since 2000, Qatar has consistently posted trade surpluses largely because of high oil prices and increased natural gas exports. Iceland's Scandinavian-type economy is basically capitalistic, yet with an extensive welfare system, 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, providing 70% of export earnings and employing 12% of the work force. The economy remains sensitive to declining fish stocks as well as to drops in world prices for its main exports: fish and fish products, aluminum, and ferrosilicon. The center-right government plans to continue its policies of 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. Consumption, investment, and exports should recover moderately in 2003.
Electricity - consumption 8.616 billion kWh (2001) 7.02 billion kWh (2000)
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (2001) 0 kWh (2000)
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (2001) 0 kWh (2000)
Electricity - production 9.264 billion kWh (2001) 7.549 billion kWh (2000)
Electricity - production by source - fossil fuel: 0%


hydro: 83%


nuclear: 0%


other: 17% (2000)
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
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, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection


signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship 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 - 3.64 (2003), 3.64 (2002), 3.64 (2001), 3.64 (2000), 3.64 (1999) Icelandic kronur per US dollar - 102.430 (January 2002), 97.425 (2001), 78.616 (2000), 72.335 (1999), 70.958 (1998), 70.904 (1997)
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 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
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 NA (2001) $2 billion f.o.b. (2002)
Exports - commodities petroleum products, fertilizers, steel fish and fish products 70%, animal products, aluminum, diatomite, ferrosilicon
Exports - partners Japan 46%, South Korea 18.5%, Singapore 9.5% (2003) UK 18.2%, Germany 14.9%, Netherlands 10.9, US 10.3%, Portugal 5.5%, Spain 5.4%, Norway 5.3% (2001)
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 - $17.54 billion (2003 est.) purchasing power parity - $7.7 billion (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 0.4%


industry: 70.8%


services: 28.8% (2003 est.)
agriculture: 14% (includes fishing 12%)


industry: 21%


services: 65% (2001 est.)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $21,500 (2003 est.) purchasing power parity - $27,100 (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 8.5% (2003 est.) -0.7% (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 (2003 est.) -
Highways total: 1,230 km


paved: 1,107 km


unpaved: 123 km (1999 est.)
total: 12,691 km


paved: 3,262 km


unpaved: 9,429 km (1999)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: NA


highest 10%: NA
lowest 10%: NA%


highest 10%: NA%
Imports NA (2001) $2 billion (2002)
Imports - commodities machinery and transport equipment, food, chemicals machinery and equipment, petroleum products; foodstuffs, textiles
Imports - partners US 12.2%, Japan 10.5%, Germany 9.6%, UK 8%, Italy 7.4%, UAE 6.7%, Saudi Arabia 5.9%, South Korea 5% (2003) Germany 12.2%, US 11.1%, Denmark 8.6%, Norway 7.8%, UK 7.5%, Netherlands 6.6% (2001)
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 10% (2003 est.) 0.2% (2001 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 total: 19.32 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 22.77 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 15.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.)
3.53 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2.3% (2003) 5% (2001 est.)
International organization participation 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, WToO, WTO Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CCC, CE, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EFTA, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, 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, WEU (associate), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) - 20 (2001)
Irrigated land 130 sq km (1998 est.) NA sq km
Judicial branch Court of Appeal


note: under the new judiciary law issued in 2003, the former two court systems, civil and Islamic law, have been merged under a higher court, the Court of Cassation, to be established for appeals
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 140,000 (2003 est.) 159,000 (2000)
Labor force - by occupation - agriculture 5%, fishing and fish processing 12%, manufacturing 13%, construction 11%, other services 60% (1999)
Land boundaries total: 60 km


border countries: Saudi Arabia 60 km
0 km
Land use arable land: 1.64%


permanent crops: 0.27%


other: 98.09% (2001)
arable land: 0.06%


permanent crops: 0%


other: 99.94% (23% permanent pastures) (1998 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 dominates family and 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: 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
unicameral Parliament or Althing (63 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)


elections: last held 8 May 1999 (next to be held by April 2003)


election results: percent of vote by party - Independence Party 40.7%, Social Democratic Alliance (PA, Social Democratic Party, Women's List) 26.8%, Progressive Party 18.4%, Left-Green Alliance 9.1%, Liberal Party 4.2%; seats by party - Independence Party 26, Social Democratic Alliance 17, Progressive Party 12, Left-Green Alliance 6, Liberal Party 2
Life expectancy at birth total population: 73.4 years


male: 70.9 years


female: 76.04 years (2004 est.)
total population: 79.66 years


male: 77.42 years


female: 82.07 years (2002 est.)
Literacy definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 82.5%


male: 81.4%


female: 85% (2003 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 territorial sea: 12 nm


contiguous zone: 24 nm


exclusive economic zone: as determined by bilateral agreements or the median line
continental shelf: 200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin


exclusive economic zone: 200 NM


territorial sea: 12 NM
Merchant marine total: 22 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 525,051 GRT/772,635 DWT


by type: cargo 4, chemical tanker 4, container 8, petroleum tanker 5, roll on/roll off 1


foreign-owned: Cambodia 1, Kuwait 1 (2004 est.)
total: 1 ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,816 GRT/2,500 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 Land Force, Qatari Amiri Navy (QAN), Amiri Air Force no regular armed forces; Police, Coast Guard
Military expenditures - dollar figure $723 million (FY00) $0
Military expenditures - percent of GDP 10% (FY00) -
Military manpower - availability males age 15-49: 324,001


note: includes non-nationals (2004 est.)
males age 15-49: 71,142 (2002 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service males age 15-49: 170,266 (2004 est.) males age 15-49: 62,556 (2002 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually males: 7,496 (2004 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 16.29 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2004 est.) -2.27 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 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 none Independence Party or IP [David ODDSSON]; Left-Green Alliance or LGP [Steingrimur SIGFUSSON]; Liberal Party or LP [Sverrir HERMANNSSON]; 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 840,290 (July 2004 est.) 279,384 (July 2002 est.)
Population below poverty line NA NA%
Population growth rate 2.74% (2004 est.) 0.52% (2002 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 - 260,000 (1997)
Railways - 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: 2.32 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 2.72 male(s)/female


total population: 1.89 male(s)/female (2004 est.)
at birth: 1.08 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.07 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 (2002 est.)
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal 18 years of age; universal
Telephone system 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
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 184,500 (2003) 196,984 (2001)
Telephones - mobile cellular 376,500 (2003) 248,131 (221,231 GSM, 26,900 NMT) (2001)
Television broadcast stations 1 (plus three repeaters) (2001) 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 2.95 children born/woman (2004 est.) 1.99 children born/woman (2002 est.)
Unemployment rate 2.7% (2001) 2.8% (2002 est.)
Waterways - none
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