Topic: Abbreviations

Topic: Acronyms

Topic: Administrative divisions

Topic: Age structure

Topic: Agricultural products

Topic: Air pollutantsThis entry refers to specified gases and particulates released by various sources of animals, plants, goods, and processes that can contribute to global warming, poor air quality, pollution, and climate change.

particulate matter emissions - This entry provides the modeled annual mean concentration of particulate matter of less than 2.5 microns in diameter (PM2.5) measured in micrograms per cubic meter of air. Exposure to PM2.5 pollutants should not exceed an annual mean concentration of 10 micrograms per cubic meter, according to World Health Organization guidelines. Particulate matter are inhalable and respirable particles composed of sulphate, nitrates, ammonia, sodium chloride, black carbon, mineral dust, and water. Fine particles less than 2.5 microns pose the greatest health risks because they can penetrate the lungs and enter the bloodstream. Sources include combustion engines, solid-fuel combustion, and other industrial activities. Exposure to high concentrations of particulate matter is associated with increased mortality and morbidity, although even low concentrations of particulate matter can impact health. By reducing air pollution levels, countries can decrease the burden of disease from stroke, heart disease, lung cancer, and both chronic and acute respiratory diseases, including asthma.

carbon dioxide emissions - This entry provides the annual quantity of carbon dioxide emissions for a country, as measured in megatons.  Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas emitted through human-influenced and natural processes. Human-influenced sources include the burning of fossil fuels (including coal, natural gas, and oil), solid waste, trees, and other biological materials, as well as certain chemical processes, such as cement production. Natural sources include decomposition, ocean release, and respiration. Carbon dioxide is a major contributor to climate warming, air quality, global warming, and pollution.

methane emissions - This entry provides the annual quantity of methane emissions for a country, as measured in megatons. Methane is a greenhouse gas emitted from the breakdown of organic material from human-influenced and natural processes. Human-influenced sources include the production and transport of coal, natural gas, and oil; the decay of organic waste in landfills; agricultural activities; stationary and mobile combustion; waste water treatment; and certain industrial processes. Natural sources include the decay of plant material in wetlands, the seepage of gas from underground deposits, and the digestion of food by ruminants. Methane emissions cause poor air quality, health issues for animals and humans, and reduced crop yields, and are a contributor to climate change.

Topic: Airports

Topic: Airports - with paved runways

Topic: Airports - with unpaved runways

Topic: Appendixes

Topic: Area

Topic: Area - comparative


This entry refers to the economic profits, expressed as a percentage of a country's GDP, from the extraction of coal. These profits equal coal gross revenues minus cost(s) to extract the coal. Other sources may refer to this field as coal rents.

Topic: Afghanistancoal revenues: 0.45% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Albaniacoal revenues: 0.03% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Algeriacoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: American Samoacoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Angolacoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Antigua and Barbudacoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Argentinacoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Armeniacoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Australiacoal revenues: 0.78% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Austriacoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Azerbaijancoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Bahamas, Thecoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Bahraincoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Bangladeshcoal revenues: 0.02% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Barbadoscoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Belaruscoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Belgiumcoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Belizecoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Benincoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Bhutancoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Boliviacoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Bosnia and Herzegovinacoal revenues: 0.34% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Botswanacoal revenues: 0.45% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Brazilcoal revenues: 0.01% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Bruneicoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Bulgariacoal revenues: 0.14% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Burkina Fasocoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Burmacoal revenues: 0.01% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Burundicoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Cabo Verdecoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Cambodiacoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Camerooncoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Canadacoal revenues: 0.08% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Cayman Islandscoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Central African Republiccoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Chadcoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Chilecoal revenues: 0.01% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Chinacoal revenues: 0.57% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Colombiacoal revenues: 0.75% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Comoroscoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of thecoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Congo, Republic of thecoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Costa Ricacoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Cote d'Ivoirecoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Croatiacoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Cubacoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Curacaocoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Cypruscoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Czechiacoal revenues: 0.14% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Denmarkcoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Djibouticoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Dominicacoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Dominican Republiccoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Ecuadorcoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: El Salvadorcoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Equatorial Guineacoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Estoniacoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Eswatinicoal revenues: 0.1% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Ethiopiacoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: European Unioncoal revenues: 0.02% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Fijicoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Finlandcoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Francecoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Gaboncoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Gambia, Thecoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Georgiacoal revenues: 0.01% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Germanycoal revenues: 0.02% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Ghanacoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Greececoal revenues: 0.04% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Greenlandcoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Grenadacoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Guamcoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Guatemalacoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Guineacoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Guinea-Bissaucoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Guyanacoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Haiticoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Hondurascoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Hong Kongcoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Hungarycoal revenues: 0.01% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Icelandcoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Indiacoal revenues: 1.15% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Indonesiacoal revenues: 1.06% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Irancoal revenues: 0.01% of GDP (2017 est.)

Topic: Iraqcoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Irelandcoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Israelcoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Italycoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Jamaicacoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Japancoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Jordancoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Kazakhstancoal revenues: 0.99% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Kenyacoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Kiribaticoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Korea, Southcoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Kosovocoal revenues: 0.31% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Kuwaitcoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Kyrgyzstancoal revenues: 0.21% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Latviacoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Lebanoncoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Lesothocoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Liberiacoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Libyacoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Lithuaniacoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Luxembourgcoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Macaucoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Madagascarcoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Malawicoal revenues: 0.03% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Malaysiacoal revenues: 0.02% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Maldivescoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Malicoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Maltacoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Mauritaniacoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Mauritiuscoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Mexicocoal revenues: 0.03% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Moldovacoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Mongoliacoal revenues: 8.62% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Montenegrocoal revenues: 0.12% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Moroccocoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Mozambiquecoal revenues: 4.17% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Namibiacoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Nepalcoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Netherlandscoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: New Zealandcoal revenues: 0.03% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Nicaraguacoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Nigercoal revenues: 0.03% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Nigeriacoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: North Macedoniacoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Norwaycoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Omancoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Pakistancoal revenues: 0.06% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Panamacoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Papua New Guineacoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Paraguaycoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Perucoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Philippinescoal revenues: 0.07% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Polandcoal revenues: 0.27% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Portugalcoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Puerto Ricocoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Qatarcoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Romaniacoal revenues: 0.03% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Russiacoal revenues: 0.53% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Rwandacoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Saint Kitts and Neviscoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Saint Luciacoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Saint Vincent and the Grenadinescoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Samoacoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Sao Tome and Principecoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Saudi Arabiacoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Senegalcoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Serbiacoal revenues: 0.25% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Seychellescoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Sierra Leonecoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Singaporecoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Slovakiacoal revenues: 0.01% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Sloveniacoal revenues: 0.03% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Solomon Islandscoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: South Africacoal revenues: 2.4% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Spaincoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Sri Lankacoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Sudancoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Surinamecoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Swedencoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Switzerlandcoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Tajikistancoal revenues: 0.54% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Tanzaniacoal revenues: 0.02% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Thailandcoal revenues: 0.03% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Timor-Lestecoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Togocoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Tongacoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Trinidad and Tobagocoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Tunisiacoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Turkeycoal revenues: 0.05% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Turkmenistancoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Turks and Caicos Islandscoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Ugandacoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Ukrainecoal revenues: 0.42% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: United Arab Emiratescoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: United Kingdomcoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: United Statescoal revenues: 0.2% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Uruguaycoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Uzbekistancoal revenues: 0.06% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Vanuatucoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Vietnamcoal revenues: 0.35% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Yemencoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Zambiacoal revenues: 0.04% of GDP (2018 est.)

Topic: Zimbabwecoal revenues: 0.4% of GDP (2018 est.)


Topic: Afghanistan

Topic: Albania

Topic: Algeria

Topic: American Samoa

Topic: Andorra

Topic: Angola

Topic: Anguilla

Topic: Antigua and Barbuda

Topic: Argentina

Topic: Armenia

Topic: Aruba

Topic: Australia


Topic: Introduction
Background: Algeria was heavily colonized by the French in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. A bloody eight-year struggle culminated in Algerian independence in 1962.Algeria was heavily colonized by the French in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. A bloody eight-year struggle culminated in Algerian independence in 1962.

Topic: Geography
Area: total: 2,381,740 sq km

land: 2,381,740 sq km

water: 0 sq km
Climate: arid to semiarid; mild, wet winters with hot, dry summers along coast; drier with cold winters and hot summers on high plateau; sirocco is a hot, dust/sand-laden wind especially common in summer
Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, phosphates, uranium, lead, zinc

Topic: People and Society
Population: 44,178,884 (2022 est.)
Ethnic groups: Arab-Berber 99%, European less than 1%
Languages: Arabic (official), French (lingua franca), Berber or Tamazight (official); dialects include Kabyle Berber (Taqbaylit), Shawiya Berber (Tacawit), Mzab Berber, Tuareg Berber (Tamahaq)
Religions: Muslim (official; predominantly Sunni) 99%, other (includes Christian, Jewish, Ahmadi Muslims, Shia Muslims, Ibadi  Muslims) <1% (2012 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.34% (2022 est.)

Topic: Government
Government type: presidential republic
Capital: name: Algiers
Executive branch: chief of state: President Abdelmadjid TEBBOUNE (since 12 December 2019)

head of government: Prime Minister Ayman BENABDERRAHMANE (since 7 July 2021); note - President TEBBOUNE appointed BENABDERRAHMANE as prime minister following the resignation of Prime Minister Abdelaziz DJERAD on 24 June 2021     Abdelaziz DJERAD (since 28 December 2019)
Legislative branch: description: bicameral Parliament or Barlaman consists of:
Council of the Nation or Majlis al-Umma (174 seats; two-thirds of members indirectly elected by simple majority vote by an electoral college composed of local assemblies within each wilaya, and one-third of members appointed by the president; members serve 6-year terms with one-half of the membership renewed every 3 years)
National People's Assembly or al-Majlis al-Sha'abi al-Watani (407 seats including 8 seats for Algerian diaspora); members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by open-list proportional representation vote to serve 5-year terms); note - in March 2021, President TEBBOUNE ordered the number of Assembly seats be reduced to 407 from 462

Topic: Economy
Economic overview: suffering oil and gas economy; lack of sector and market diversification; political instability chilling domestic consumption; poor credit access and declines in business confidence; COVID-19 austerity policies; delayed promised socio-economic reformssuffering oil and gas economy; lack of sector and market diversification; political instability chilling domestic consumption; poor credit access and declines in business confidence; COVID-19 austerity policies; delayed promised socio-economic reforms
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $468.4 billion (2020 est.)
Real GDP per capita: $10,700 (2020 est.)
Agricultural products: potatoes, wheat, milk, watermelons, barley, onions, tomatoes, oranges, dates, vegetables
Industries: petroleum, natural gas, light industries, mining, electrical, petrochemical, food processing
Exports: $38.32 billion (2019 est.)
Exports - partners: Italy 13%, France 13%, Spain 12%, United States 7%, United Kingdom 7%, India 5%, South Korea 5% (2019)
Exports - commodities: crude petroleum, natural gas, refined petroleum, fertilizers, ammonia (2019)
Imports: $54.26 billion (2019 est.)
Imports - partners: China 18%, France 14%, Italy 8%, Spain 8%, Germany 5%, Turkey 5% (2019)
Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, wheat, packaged medical supplies, milk, vehicle parts (2019)Page last updated: Wednesday, Jun 15, 2022


Topic: Photos of Qatar

Topic: Introduction
Background: Ruled by the Al Thani family since the mid-1800s, Qatar within the last 60 years transformed itself from a poor British protectorate noted mainly for pearling into an independent state with significant oil and natural gas revenues. Former Amir HAMAD bin Khalifa Al Thani, who overthrew his father in a bloodless coup in 1995, ushered in wide-sweeping political and media reforms, unprecedented economic investment, and a growing Qatari regional leadership role, in part through the creation of the pan-Arab satellite news network Al-Jazeera and Qatar's mediation of some regional conflicts. In the 2000s, Qatar resolved its longstanding border disputes with both Bahrain and Saudi Arabia and by 2007 had attained the highest per capita income in the world. Qatar did not experience domestic unrest or violence like that seen in other Near Eastern and North African countries in 2011, due in part to its immense wealth and patronage network. In mid-2013, HAMAD peacefully abdicated, transferring power to his son, the current Amir TAMIM bin Hamad. TAMIM is popular with the Qatari public, for his role in shepherding the country through an economic embargo by some other regional countries, for his efforts to improve the country's healthcare and education systems, and for his expansion of the country's infrastructure in anticipation of Doha's hosting of the 2022 FIFA Men’s World Cup. Following the outbreak of regional unrest in 2011, Doha prided itself on its support for many popular revolutions, particularly in Libya and Syria. This stance was to the detriment of Qatar’s relations with Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which temporarily recalled their respective ambassadors from Doha in March 2014. TAMIM later oversaw a warming of Qatar’s relations with Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE in November 2014 following Kuwaiti mediation and signing of the Riyadh Agreement. This reconciliation, however, was short-lived. In June 2017, Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE (the "Quartet") cut diplomatic and economic ties with Qatar in response to alleged violations of the agreement, among other complaints. They restored ties in January 2021 after signing a declaration at the Gulf Cooperation Council Summit in Al Ula, Saudi Arabia.  Ruled by the Al Thani family since the mid-1800s, Qatar within the last 60 years transformed itself from a poor British protectorate noted mainly for pearling into an independent state with significant oil and natural gas revenues. Former Amir HAMAD bin Khalifa Al Thani, who overthrew his father in a bloodless coup in 1995, ushered in wide-sweeping political and media reforms, unprecedented economic investment, and a growing Qatari regional leadership role, in part through the creation of the pan-Arab satellite news network Al-Jazeera and Qatar's mediation of some regional conflicts. In the 2000s, Qatar resolved its longstanding border disputes with both Bahrain and Saudi Arabia and by 2007 had attained the highest per capita income in the world. Qatar did not experience domestic unrest or violence like that seen in other Near Eastern and North African countries in 2011, due in part to its immense wealth and patronage network. In mid-2013, HAMAD peacefully abdicated, transferring power to his son, the current Amir TAMIM bin Hamad. TAMIM is popular with the Qatari public, for his role in shepherding the country through an economic embargo by some other regional countries, for his efforts to improve the country's healthcare and education systems, and for his expansion of the country's infrastructure in anticipation of Doha's hosting of the 2022 FIFA Men’s World Cup. Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.

Topic: Geography
Location: Middle East, peninsula bordering the Persian Gulf and Saudi Arabia
Geographic coordinates: 25 30 N, 51 15 E
Map references: Middle East
Area: total: 11,586 sq km

land: 11,586 sq km

water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative: almost twice the size of Delaware; slightly smaller than Connecticut
Land boundaries: total: 87 km

border countries (1): Saudi Arabia 87 km
Coastline: 563 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: as determined by bilateral agreements or the median line
Climate: arid; mild, pleasant winters; very hot, humid summers
Terrain: mostly flat and barren desert
Elevation: highest point: Tuwayyir al Hamir 103 m

lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m

mean elevation: 28 m
Natural resources: petroleum, fish, natural gas
Land use: agricultural land: 5.6% (2018 est.)

arable land: 1.1% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 0.2% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 4.3% (2018 est.)

forest: 0% (2018 est.)

other: 94.4% (2018 est.)
Irrigated land: 130 sq km (2012)
Major aquifers: Arabian Aquifer System
Population distribution: most of the population is clustered in or around the capital of Doha on the eastern side of the peninsula
Natural hazards: haze, dust storms, sandstorms common
Geography - note: the peninsula occupies a strategic location in the central Persian Gulf near major petroleum deposits
Map description: Qatar map showing major population centers and neighboring countries of this peninsular country that extends into the Persian Gulf.Qatar map showing major population centers and neighboring countries of this peninsular country that extends into the Persian Gulf.

Topic: People and Society
Population: 2,508,182 (2022 est.)
Nationality: noun: Qatari(s)

adjective: Qatari
Ethnic groups: non-Qatari 88.4%, Qatari 11.6% (2015 est.)
Languages: Arabic (official), English commonly used as a second language

major-language sample(s):
كتاب حقائق العالم، المصدر الذي لا يمكن الاستغناء عنه للمعلومات الأساسية (Arabic)

The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Religions: Muslim 65.2%, Christian 13.7%, Hindu 15.9%, Buddhist 3.8%, folk religion <0.1%, Jewish <0.1%, other <1%, unaffiliated <1% (2020 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 12.84% (male 158,702/female 155,211)

15-24 years: 11.78% (male 203,703/female 84,323)

25-54 years: 70.66% (male 1,439,364/female 287,575)

55-64 years: 3.53% (male 66,561/female 19,600)

65 years and over: 1.19% (2020 est.) (male 19,067/female 10,068)
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 18.1

youth dependency ratio: 16.1

elderly dependency ratio: 2

potential support ratio: 50.1 (2020 est.)
Median age: total: 33.7 years

male: 35 years

female: 28.2 years (2020 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.04% (2022 est.)
Birth rate: 9.33 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Death rate: 1.42 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Net migration rate: 2.45 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Population distribution: most of the population is clustered in or around the capital of Doha on the eastern side of the peninsula
Urbanization: urban population: 99.3% of total population (2022)

rate of urbanization: 1.66% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population: Ar-Rayyan 779,000, 652,000 DOHA (capital) (2022)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

15-24 years: 2.26 male(s)/female

25-54 years: 5.45 male(s)/female

55-64 years: 3.42 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 1.13 male(s)/female

total population: 3.36 male(s)/female (2022 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio: 9 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 6.62 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 7.25 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 5.96 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 79.81 years

male: 77.7 years

female: 81.96 years (2022 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.9 children born/woman (2022 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rate: 37.5% (2012)
Drinking water source: improved: urban: NA

rural: NA

total: 99.6% of population

unimproved: urban: NA

rural: NA

total: 0.4% of population (2020 est.)
Current Health Expenditure: 2.9% (2019)
Physicians density: 2.49 physicians/1,000 population (2018)
Hospital bed density: 1.3 beds/1,000 population (2017)
Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: NA

rural: NA

total: 100% of population

unimproved: urban: NA

rural: NA

total: 0% of population (2020 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: (2020 est.) <.1%
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: (2020 est.) <200
HIV/AIDS - deaths: (2020 est.) <100
Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 35.1% (2016)
Tobacco use: total: 11.8% (2020 est.)

male: 21.7% (2020 est.)

female: 1.9% (2020 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight: NA
Education expenditures: 3.2% of GDP (2020 est.)
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 93.5%

male: 92.4%

female: 94.7% (2017)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 13 years

male: 12 years

female: 15 years (2020)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 0.4%

male: 0.2%

female: 1.5% (2018 est.)

Topic: Environment
Environment - current issues: air, land, and water pollution are significant environmental issues; limited natural freshwater resources are increasing dependence on large-scale desalination facilities; other issues include conservation of oil supplies and preservation of the natural wildlife heritage
Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 90.35 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.)

carbon dioxide emissions: 103.26 megatons (2016 est.)

methane emissions: 8.34 megatons (2020 est.)
Climate: arid; mild, pleasant winters; very hot, humid summers
Land use: agricultural land: 5.6% (2018 est.)

arable land: 1.1% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 0.2% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 4.3% (2018 est.)

forest: 0% (2018 est.)

other: 94.4% (2018 est.)
Urbanization: urban population: 99.3% of total population (2022)

rate of urbanization: 1.66% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)
Revenue from coal: coal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)
Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 1,000,990 tons (2012 est.)

municipal solid waste recycled annually: 30,030 tons (2014 est.)

percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 3% (2014 est.)
Major aquifers: Arabian Aquifer System
Total water withdrawal: municipal: 477.2 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

industrial: 143.7 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

agricultural: 291.7 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
Total renewable water resources: 58 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

Topic: Government
Country name: conventional long form: State of Qatar

conventional short form: Qatar

local long form: Dawlat Qatar

local short form: Qatar

etymology: the origin of the name is uncertain, but it dates back at least 2,000 years since a term "Catharrei" was used to describe the inhabitants of the peninsula by Pliny the Elder (1st century A.D.), and a "Catara" peninsula is depicted on a map by Ptolemy (2nd century A.D.)

note: closest approximation of the native pronunciation is gat-tar or cot-tar
Government type: absolute monarchy
Capital: name: Doha

geographic coordinates: 25 17 N, 51 32 E

time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

etymology: derives from the Arabic term "dohat," meaning "roundness," and refers to the small rounded bays along the area's coastline
Administrative divisions: 8 municipalities (baladiyat, singular - baladiyah); Ad Dawhah, Al Khawr wa adh Dhakhirah, Al Wakrah, Ar Rayyan, Ash Shamal, Ash Shihaniyah, Az Za'ayin, Umm Salal
Independence: 3 September 1971 (from the UK)
National holiday: National Day, 18 December (1878), anniversary of Al Thani family accession to the throne; Independence Day, 3 September (1971)
Constitution: history: previous 1972 (provisional); latest drafted 2 July 2002, approved by referendum 29 April 2003, endorsed 8 June 2004, effective 9 June 2005

amendments: proposed by the Amir or by one third of Advisory Council members; passage requires two-thirds majority vote of Advisory Council members and approval and promulgation by the emir; articles pertaining to the rule of state and its inheritance, functions of the emir, and citizen rights and liberties cannot be amended
Legal system: mixed legal system of civil law and Islamic (sharia) law (in family and personal matters)
International law organization participation: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
Citizenship: citizenship by birth: no

citizenship by descent only: the father must be a citizen of Qatar

dual citizenship recognized: no

residency requirement for naturalization: 20 years; 15 years if an Arab national
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: Amir TAMIM bin Hamad Al Thani (since 25 June 2013)

head of government: Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh KHALID bin Khalifa bin Abdul Aziz Al Thani (since 28 January 2020);  Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defense Affairs KHALID bin Mohamed AL Attiyah (since 14 November 2017); Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs MOHAMED bin Abdulrahman Al Thani (since 14 November 2017)

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the amir

elections/appointments: the monarchy is hereditary; prime minister and deputy prime minister appointed by the amir
Legislative branch: description: unicameral Advisory Council or Majlis al-Shura (45 seats; 30 members directly elected by popular vote for 4-year re-electable terms; 15 members appointed by the monarch to serve until resignation or until relieved; note - legislative drafting authority rests with the Council of Ministers and is reviewed by the Advisory Council

elections: first election held for 30 elected members on 2 October 2021 (next to be held in 2025); date of appointed members - 14 October 2021 (next appointments - NA)

election results: 30 nonpartisan members elected; composition - men 30, women 0
15 appointed members; composition men 13, women 2, percent of women 13.3%
Judicial branch: highest courts: Supreme Court or Court of Cassation (consists of the court president and several judges); Supreme Constitutional Court (consists of the chief justice and 6 members)

judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court judges nominated by the Supreme Judiciary Council, a 9-member independent body consisting of judiciary heads appointed by the Amir; judges appointed for 3-year renewable terms; Supreme Constitutional Court members nominated by the Supreme Judiciary Council and appointed by the monarch; term of appointment NA

subordinate courts: Courts of Appeal; Administrative Court; Courts of First Instance; sharia courts; Courts of Justice; Qatar International Court and Dispute Resolution Center, established in 2009, provides dispute resolution services for institutions and bodies in Qatar, as well as internationally
Political parties and leaders: political parties are banned
International organization participation: ABEDA, AFESD, AMF, CAEU, CD, CICA (observer), EITI (implementing country), FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OIC, OIF, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador MISHAL bin Hamad bin Muhammad Al Thani (since 24 April 2017)

chancery: 2555 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20037

telephone: [1] (202) 274-1600

FAX: [1] (202) 237-0682

email address and website:
info.dc@mofa.gov.qa

https://washington.embassy.qa/en

consulate(s) general: Houston, Los Angeles
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Evyenia SIDEREAS

embassy: 22 February Street, Al Luqta District, P.O. Box 2399, Doha

mailing address: 6130 Doha Place, Washington DC  20521-6130

telephone: [974] 4496-6000

FAX: [974] 4488-4298

email address and website:
PasDoha@state.gov

https://qa.usembassy.gov/
Flag description: maroon with a broad white serrated band (nine white points) on the hoist side; maroon represents the blood shed in Qatari wars, white stands for peace; the nine-pointed serrated edge signifies Qatar as the ninth member of the "reconciled emirates" in the wake of the Qatari-British treaty of 1916

note: the other eight emirates are the seven that compose the UAE and Bahrain; according to some sources, the dominant color was formerly red, but this darkened to maroon upon exposure to the sun and the new shade was eventually adopted
National symbol(s): a maroon field surmounted by a white serrated band with nine white points; national colors: maroon, white
National anthem: name: "Al-Salam Al-Amiri" (The Amiri Salute)

lyrics/music: Sheikh MUBARAK bin Saif al-Thani/Abdul Aziz Nasser OBAIDAN

note: adopted 1996; anthem first performed that year at a meeting of the Gulf Cooperative Council hosted by Qatar
National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 1 (cultural)

selected World Heritage Site locales: Al Zubarah Archaeological Site

Topic: Economy
Economic overview: Qatar’s oil and natural gas resources are the country’s main economic engine and government revenue source, driving Qatar’s high economic growth and per capita income levels, robust state spending on public entitlements, and booming construction spending, particularly as Qatar prepares to host the World Cup in 2022. Although the government has maintained high capital spending levels for ongoing infrastructure projects, low oil and natural gas prices in recent years have led the Qatari Government to tighten some spending to help stem its budget deficit.   Qatar’s reliance on oil and natural gas is likely to persist for the foreseeable future. Proved natural gas reserves exceed 25 trillion cubic meters - 13% of the world total and, among countries, third largest in the world. Proved oil reserves exceed 25 billion barrels, allowing production to continue at current levels for about 56 years. Despite the dominance of oil and natural gas, Qatar has made significant gains in strengthening non-oil sectors, such as manufacturing, construction, and financial services, leading non-oil GDP to steadily rise in recent years to just over half the total.   Following trade restriction imposed by Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, and Egypt in 2017, Qatar established new trade routes with other countries to maintain access to imports.Qatar’s oil and natural gas resources are the country’s main economic engine and government revenue source, driving Qatar’s high economic growth and per capita income levels, robust state spending on public entitlements, and booming construction spending, particularly as Qatar prepares to host the World Cup in 2022. Although the government has maintained high capital spending levels for ongoing infrastructure projects, low oil and natural gas prices in recent years have led the Qatari Government to tighten some spending to help stem its budget deficit. Qatar’s reliance on oil and natural gas is likely to persist for the foreseeable future. Proved natural gas reserves exceed 25 trillion cubic meters - 13% of the world total and, among countries, third largest in the world. Proved oil reserves exceed 25 billion barrels, allowing production to continue at current levels for about 56 years. Despite the dominance of oil and natural gas, Qatar has made significant gains in strengthening non-oil sectors, such as manufacturing, construction, and financial services, leading non-oil GDP to steadily rise in recent years to just over half the total. Following trade restriction imposed by Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, and Egypt in 2017, Qatar established new trade routes with other countries to maintain access to imports.
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $245.66 billion (2020 est.)

$255.01 billion (2019 est.)

$253.05 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars
Real GDP growth rate: 1.6% (2017 est.)

2.1% (2016 est.)

3.7% (2015 est.)
Real GDP per capita: $85,300 (2020 est.)

$90,000 (2019 est.)

$91,000 (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars
GDP (official exchange rate): $191.29 billion (2018 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): -0.6% (2019 est.)

0.2% (2018 est.)

0.3% (2017 est.)
Credit ratings: Fitch rating: AA- (2017)

Moody's rating: Aa3 (2017)

Standard & Poors rating: AA- (2017)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 0.2% (2017 est.)

industry: 50.3% (2017 est.)

services: 49.5% (2017 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 24.6% (2017 est.)

government consumption: 17% (2017 est.)

investment in fixed capital: 43.1% (2017 est.)

investment in inventories: 1.5% (2017 est.)

exports of goods and services: 51% (2017 est.)

imports of goods and services: -37.3% (2017 est.)
Agricultural products: tomatoes, dates, camel milk, sheep milk, goat milk, pumpkins/gourds, mutton, poultry, milk, eggplants
Industries: liquefied natural gas, crude oil production and refining, ammonia, fertilizer, petrochemicals, steel reinforcing bars, cement, commercial ship repair
Industrial production growth rate: 3% (2017 est.)
Labor force: 1.953 million (2017 est.)
Unemployment rate: 8.9% (2017 est.)

11.1% (2016 est.)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 0.4%

male: 0.2%

female: 1.5% (2018 est.)
Population below poverty line: NA
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 41.1 (2007)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.3%

highest 10%: 35.9% (2007)
Budget: revenues: 44.1 billion (2017 est.)

expenditures: 53.82 billion (2017 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -5.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Public debt: 53.8% of GDP (2017 est.)

46.7% of GDP (2016 est.)
Taxes and other revenues: 26.4% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March
Current account balance: $6.426 billion (2017 est.)

-$8.27 billion (2016 est.)
Exports: $70.93 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

$92.05 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

$102.56 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
Exports - partners: Japan 17%, South Korea 16%, India 14%, China 13%, Singapore 7% (2019)
Exports - commodities: natural gas, crude petroleum, refined petroleum, ethylene polymers, fertilizers (2019)
Imports: $59.06 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

$66.77 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

$65.81 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
Imports - partners: United States 15%, France 13%, United Kingdom 9%, China 9%, Germany 5%, Italy 5% (2019)
Imports - commodities: aircraft, gas turbines, cars, jewelry, iron piping (2019)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $15.01 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$31.89 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Debt - external: $167.8 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$157.9 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Exchange rates: Qatari rials (QAR) per US dollar -

3.641 (2020 est.)

3.641 (2019 est.)

3.641 (2018 est.)

3.64 (2014 est.)

3.64 (2013 est.)

Topic: Energy
Electricity access: electrification - total population: 100% (2020)
Electricity: installed generating capacity: 10.633 million kW (2020 est.)

consumption: 44,116,984,000 kWh (2019 est.)

exports: 0 kWh (2019 est.)

imports: 0 kWh (2019 est.)

transmission/distribution losses: 2.772 billion kWh (2019 est.)
Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 100% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

solar: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

wind: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

hydroelectricity: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

biomass and waste: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
Coal: production: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)

consumption: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)

exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)

imports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)

proven reserves: 0 metric tons (2019 est.)
Petroleum: total petroleum production: 1,815,100 bbl/day (2021 est.)

refined petroleum consumption: 293,800 bbl/day (2019 est.)

crude oil and lease condensate exports: 1,264,400 barrels/day (2018 est.)

crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)

crude oil estimated reserves: 25.244 billion barrels (2021 est.)
Refined petroleum products - production: 273,800 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - exports: 485,000 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - imports: 12,300 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Natural gas: production: 167,460,996,000 cubic meters (2019 est.)

consumption: 37,701,809,000 cubic meters (2019 est.)

exports: 126,749,621,000 cubic meters (2019 est.)

imports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)

proven reserves: 23,860,500,000,000 cubic meters (2021 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions: 111.922 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)

from coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)

from petroleum and other liquids: 33.44 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)

from consumed natural gas: 78.482 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
Energy consumption per capita: 723.582 million Btu/person (2019 est.)

Topic: Communications
Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 454,701 (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 16 (2020 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 3,798,514 (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 132 (2020 est.)
Telecommunication systems: general assessment: Qatar had developed a mature telecom sector which has been able to absorb the additional data demands made on it during the pandemic; mobile services based on LTE are universally available, and this has helped the two operators Ooredoo Qatar and Vodafone Qatar to migrate to 5G; in combination with a strong fiber rollout, the country is aiming to provide gigabit services nationally; 5G services are largely based on 3.5GHz spectrum made available following an auction in early 2019. (2022)

domestic: fixed-line nearly 16 per 100 and mobile-cellular telephone subscribership nearly 132 telephones per 100 persons (2020)

international: country code - 974; landing points for the Qatar-UAE Submarine Cable System, AAE-1, FOG, GBICS/East North Africa MENA and the FALCON submarine cable network that provides links to Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Europe and Southeast Asia; tropospheric scatter to Bahrain; microwave radio relay to Saudi Arabia and the UAE; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean) and 1 Arabsat; retains full ownership of two commercial satellites, Es'hailSat 1 and 2 (2019)

note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced a downturn, particularly in mobile device production; progress towards 5G implementation has resumed, as well as upgrades to infrastructure; consumer spending on telecom services has increased due to the surge in demand for capacity and bandwidth; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home is still evident, and the spike in this area has seen growth opportunities for development of new tools and increased services
Broadcast media: TV and radio broadcast licensing and access to local media markets are state controlled; home of the satellite TV channel Al-Jazeera, which was originally owned and financed by the Qatari government but has evolved to independent corporate status; Al-Jazeera claims editorial independence in broadcasting; local radio transmissions include state, private, and international broadcasters on FM frequencies in Doha; in August 2013, Qatar's satellite company Es'hailSat launched its first communications satellite Es'hail 1 (manufactured in the US), which entered commercial service in December 2013 to provide improved television broadcasting capability and expand availability of voice and Internet; Es'hailSat launched its second commercial satellite in 2018 with aid of SpaceX (2019)
Internet country code: .qa
Internet users: total: 2,881,060 (2020 est.)

percent of population: 100% (2020 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 296,126 (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 10 (2020 est.)

Topic: Transportation
National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 3 (2020)

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 251

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 29,178,923 (2018)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 12,666,710,000 (2018) mt-km
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: A7
Airports: total: 6 (2021)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 4

over 3,047 m: 3

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2021)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 2

914 to 1,523 m: 1

under 914 m: 1 (2021)
Heliports: 1 (2021)
Pipelines: 288 km condensate, 221 km condensate/gas, 2,383 km gas, 90 km liquid petroleum gas, 745 km oil, 103 km refined products (2013)
Roadways: total: 7,039 km (2016)
Merchant marine: total: 129

by type: bulk carrier 9, container ship 4, general cargo 4, oil tanker 5, other 107 (2021)
Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Doha, Musay'id, Ra's Laffan

LNG terminal(s) (export): Ras Laffan

Topic: Military and Security
Military and security forces: Qatari Amiri Land Force (QALF, includes Emiri Guard), Qatari Amiri Navy (QAN, includes Coast Guard), Qatari Amiri Air Force (QAAF); Internal Security Forces: Mobile Gendarmerie (2022)
Military expenditures: 4% of GDP (2021 est.)

4% of GDP (2020 est.)

3.4% of GDP (2019 est.) (approximately $8.44 billion)

3.3% of GDP (2018 est.) (approximately $8.23 billion)

3.4% of GDP (2017 est.) (approximately $8.22 billion)
Military and security service personnel strengths: information varies; approximately 15,000 active duty personnel (10,000 Land Force, including Emiri Guard; 3,000 Navy; 2,000 Air Force) (2022)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the Qatari military's inventory includes a broad mix of older and modern weapons systems, mostly from the US and Europe; in the 2010s, Qatar embarked on an extensive military expansion and modernization program with large air, ground, and naval equipment purchases; since 2010, France and the US are the top suppliers (2022)
Military service age and obligation: conscription for males aged 18-35 introduced in 2013; compulsory service times range from 4-12 months, depending on the cadets educational and professional circumstances; since 2018, women have been permitted to serve in the armed forces, including as uniformed officers and pilots (2022)

note: as of 2020, the military incorporated about 2,000 conscripts annually
Military - note: Qatar hosts more than 8,000 US military forces and the regional headquarters for the US Central Command (CENTCOM; established 1983) at various military facilities, including the large Al Udeid Air Base; Qatar also hosts as many as 5,000 Turkish military forces at two bases established in 2014 and 2019

Qatar has Major Non-NATO Ally (MNNA) status with the US; MNNA is a designation under US law that provides foreign partners with certain benefits in the areas of defense trade and security cooperation; while MNNA status provides military and economic privileges, it does not entail any security commitments (2022)

Topic: Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: none identifiednone identified
Refugees and internally displaced persons: stateless persons: 1,200 (mid-year 2021)


Topic: Introduction
Background: Japan opened its ports in 1854 and began to intensively modernize and industrialize. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Japan became a regional power. After its defeat in World War II, Japan recovered to become an economic power and an ally of the US. While the emperor retains his throne as a symbol of national unity, elected politicians hold actual decision-making power.Japan opened its ports in 1854 and began to intensively modernize and industrialize. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Japan became a regional power. After its defeat in World War II, Japan recovered to become an economic power and an ally of the US. While the emperor retains his throne as a symbol of national unity, elected politicians hold actual decision-making power.

Topic: Geography
Area: total: 377,915 sq km

land: 364,485 sq km

water: 13,430 sq km
Climate: varies from tropical in south to cool temperate in north
Natural resources: negligible mineral resources, fish; note - with virtually no natural energy resources, Japan is the world's largest importer of coal and liquefied natural gas, as well as the second largest importer of oil

Topic: People and Society
Population: 124,214,766 (2022 est.)
Ethnic groups: Japanese 97.9%, Chinese 0.6%, Korean 0.4%, other 1.1% (includes Vietnamese, Filipino, and Brazilian) (2017 est.)
Languages: Japanese
Religions: Shintoism 70.5%, Buddhism 67.2%, Christianity 1.5%, other 5.9% (2019 est.)
Population growth rate: -0.39% (2022 est.)

Topic: Government
Government type: parliamentary constitutional monarchy
Capital: name: Tokyo
Executive branch: chief of state: Emperor NARUHITO (since 1 May 2019); note - succeeds his father who abdicated on 30 April 2019

head of government: Prime Minister Fumio KISHIDA (since 4 October 2021 )
Legislative branch: description: bicameral Diet or Kokkai consists of:
House of Councillors or Sangi-in (245 seats, currently 242; 146 members directly elected in multi-seat districts by simple majority vote and 96 directly elected in a single national constituency by proportional representation vote; members serve 6-year terms with half the membership renewed every 3 years); note - the number of seats increases to 248 at the July 2022 election for renewal of half the membership
House of Representatives or Shugi-in (465 seats; 289 members directly elected in single-seat districts by simple majority vote and 176 directly elected in multi-seat districts by party-list proportional representation vote; members serve 4-year terms)

Topic: Economy
Economic overview: third-largest, trade-oriented, and diversified economy; most indebted country; recent infrastructure spending, significant currency devaluations, consumption tax hikes; declining labor force; recent government stimulus largely offset COVID-19 downturnthird-largest, trade-oriented, and diversified economy; most indebted country; recent infrastructure spending, significant currency devaluations, consumption tax hikes; declining labor force; recent government stimulus largely offset COVID-19 downturn
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $5,224,850,000,000 (2019 est.)
Real GDP per capita: $41,400 (2019 est.)
Agricultural products: rice, milk, sugar beet, vegetables, eggs, poultry, potatoes, cabbages, onions, pork
Industries: among world's largest and most technologically advanced producers of motor vehicles, electronic equipment, machine tools, steel and nonferrous metals, ships, chemicals, textiles, processed foods
Exports: $793.32 billion (2020 est.)
Exports - partners: United States 19%, China 18%, South Korea 6%, Taiwan 6% (2019)
Exports - commodities: cars and vehicle parts, integrated circuits, personal appliances, ships (2019)
Imports: $799.52 billion (2020 est.)
Imports - partners: China 23%, United States 11%, Australia 6% (2019)
Imports - commodities: crude petroleum, natural gas, coal, integrated circuits, broadcasting equipment (2019)
Exchange rates: yen (JPY) per US dollar -Page last updated: Tuesday, May 31, 2022


This entry describes the major fisheries in the world's oceans in terms of the area covered, their ranking in terms of the global catch, the main producing countries, and the principal species caught. The information is provided by the Fisheries and Aquaculture Department of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

Topic: Arctic Oceanthe Arctic fishery region (Region 18) is the smallest in the world with a catch of only 515 mt in 2019, although the Food and Agriculture Organization assesses that some Arctic catches are reported in adjacent regions; Russia and Canada were historically the major producers; in 2017, Canada, Denmark (Greenland), Iceland, Norway, Russia, and the US, along with the People’s Republic of China, the European Union, Japan, and the Republic of Korea, agreed to a 16 year ban on fishing in the Central Arctic Ocean to allow for time to study the ecological system of these waters

Regional fisheries bodies: International Council for the Exploration of the Seas

Topic: Atlantic Oceanthe Atlantic Ocean fisheries are the second most important in the world accounting for 26.4%, or 21,063,495 mt, of the global catch in 2019; of the seven regions delineated by the Food and Agriculture Organization in the Atlantic basin, the most important include the following: Northeast Atlantic region (Region 27) is the fourth most important in the world producing 10.2% of the global catch or 8,116,507 mt in 2019; the region encompasses the waters north of 36º North latitude and east of 40º West longitude with the major producers including Norway (3,528,240 mt), Russia (1,044,153 mt), Iceland (933,019 mt), UK (823,669 mt), and Denmark (641,927 mt); the region includes the historically important fishing grounds of the North Sea, the Baltic Sea, and the Atlantic waters between Greenland, Iceland, and the British Isles; the principal catches include Atlantic cod, haddock, saithe (pollock), Blue Whiting, herring, and mackerel; not all fish caught are for human consumption, half of fish catches in the North Sea are processed as fish oil or fish meal, which are used in animal fodder Eastern Central Atlantic region (Region 34) is the second most important Atlantic fishery, and sixth largest in the world producing more than 6.8% of the global catch or 5,397,726 mt in 2019; the region encompasses the waters between 36º North and 6º South latitude and east of 40º West longitude off the west coast of Africa with the major producers including Morocco (1,419,872 mt), Mauritania (705,850 mt), Senegal (472,571 mt), Nigeria (451,768 mt), Ghana (303,001 mt), Cameroon (265,969 mt), and Sierra Leone (200,000 mt); the principal catches include pilchard, sardinellas, shad, and mackerel Northwest Atlantic region (Region 21) is the third most important Atlantic fishery and eighth in the world producing 2% of the global catch and 1,679,512 mt in 2019; it encompasses the waters north of 35º North latitude and west of 42º West longitude including the important fishing grounds over the continental shelf of North America such as the Grand Banks, the Georges Bank, and the Flemish Cap, as well as Baffin Bay with the major producers including the US (927,777 mt), Canada (615,651 mt), and Greenland (179,990 mt); the principal catches include sea scallops, prawns, lobster, herring, and menhaden Mediterranean and Black Sea region (Region 37) is a minor fishing region representing 1.7% or 1,385,190 mt of the world’s total capture in 2019; the region encompasses all waters east of the Strait of Gibraltar with the major producers including Turkey (686,650 mt), Italy (281,212 mt), Tunisia (129,325 mt), Spain (119,759 mt), and Russia (72,279 mt); the principal catches include European anchovy, European pilchard, Gobies, and clams

Regional fisheries bodies: Commission for the Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna, Fishery Committee for the Eastern Central Atlantic, Fisheries Committee for the West Central Gulf of Guinea, General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean, International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas, International  Council for the Exploration of the Seas, Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization, North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organization, North East Atlantic Fisheries Commission, Southeast Atlantic Fisheries Organization, Western Central Atlantic Fishery Commissionthe Atlantic Ocean fisheries are the second most important in the world accounting for 26.4%, or 21,063,495 mt, of the global catch in 2019; of the seven regions delineated by the Food and Agriculture Organization in the Atlantic basin, the most important include the following:Northeast Atlantic region (Region 27) is the fourth most important in the world producing 10.2% of the global catch or 8,116,507 mt in 2019; the region encompasses the waters north of 36º North latitude and east of 40º West longitude with the major producers including Norway (3,528,240 mt), Russia (1,044,153 mt), Iceland (933,019 mt), UK (823,669 mt), and Denmark (641,927 mt); the region includes the historically important fishing grounds of the North Sea, the Baltic Sea, and the Atlantic waters between Greenland, Iceland, and the British Isles; the principal catches include Atlantic cod, haddock, saithe (pollock), Blue Whiting, herring, and mackerel; not all fish caught are for human consumption, half of fish catches in the North Sea are processed as fish oil or fish meal, which are used in animal fodderEastern Central Atlantic region (Region 34) is the second most important Atlantic fishery, and sixth largest in the world producing more than 6.8% of the global catch or 5,397,726 mt in 2019; the region encompasses the waters between 36º North and 6º South latitude and east of 40º West longitude off the west coast of Africa with the major producers including Morocco (1,419,872 mt), Mauritania (705,850 mt), Senegal (472,571 mt), Nigeria (451,768 mt), Ghana (303,001 mt), Cameroon (265,969 mt), and Sierra Leone (200,000 mt); the principal catches include pilchard, sardinellas, shad, and mackerelNorthwest Atlantic region (Region 21) is the third most important Atlantic fishery and eighth in the world producing 2% of the global catch and 1,679,512 mt in 2019; it encompasses the waters north of 35º North latitude and west of 42º West longitude including the important fishing grounds over the continental shelf of North America such as the Grand Banks, the Georges Bank, and the Flemish Cap, as well as Baffin Bay with the major producers including the US (927,777 mt), Canada (615,651 mt), and Greenland (179,990 mt); the principal catches include sea scallops, prawns, lobster, herring, and menhadenMediterranean and Black Sea region (Region 37) is a minor fishing region representing 1.7% or 1,385,190 mt of the world’s total capture in 2019; the region encompasses all waters east of the Strait of Gibraltar with the major producers including Turkey (686,650 mt), Italy (281,212 mt), Tunisia (129,325 mt), Spain (119,759 mt), and Russia (72,279 mt); the principal catches include European anchovy, European pilchard, Gobies, and clams

Regional fisheries bodies: Commission for the Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna, Fishery Committee for the Eastern Central Atlantic, Fisheries Committee for the West Central Gulf of Guinea, General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean, International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas, International  Council for the Exploration of the Seas, Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization, North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organization, North East Atlantic Fisheries Commission, Southeast Atlantic Fisheries Organization, Western Central Atlantic Fishery Commission

Topic: Indian Oceanthe Indian Ocean fisheries are the third most important in the world accounting for 15.3%, or 12,248,064 mt of the global catch in 2019; tuna, small pelagic fish, and shrimp are important species in these regions; the Food and Agriculture Organization delineated two fishing regions in the Indian Ocean: Eastern Indian Ocean region (Region 57) is the most important region and the fifth largest producing region in the world with 8.5%, or 6,784,778 mt, of the global catch in 2019; the region encompasses the waters north of 55º South latitude and east of 80º East longitude including the Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea with the major producers including India (2,362,481 mt), Indonesia (1,940,558 mt), Burma (1,114,777 mt), Bangladesh (877,837 mt), and Sri Lanka (373,369 mt); the principal catches include shad, Skipjack tuna, mackerel, shrimp, and sardinellas Western Indian Ocean region (Region 51) is the world’s sixth largest producing region with more than 6.8% or 5,463,286 mt of the global catch in 2019; this region encompasses the waters north of 40º South latitude and west of 80º East longitude including the western Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea, Persian Gulf, and Red Sea as well as the waters along the east coast of Africa and Madagascar, the south coast of the Arabian Peninsula, and the west coast of India with major producers including India (2,207,125 mt), Oman (580,048 mt), Pakistan (341,730 mt), and Mozambique (274,791 mt); the principal catches include Skipjack and Yellowfin tuna, mackerel, sardines, shrimp, and cephalopods

Regional fisheries bodies: Indian Ocean Tuna Commission, Commission for the Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna, Regional Commission for Fisheries (Persian Gulf/Gulf of Oman), Southeast Asia Fisheries Development Center, Southwest Indian Ocean Fisheries Commission, South Indian Ocean Fisheries Agreementthe Indian Ocean fisheries are the third most important in the world accounting for 15.3%, or 12,248,064 mt of the global catch in 2019; tuna, small pelagic fish, and shrimp are important species in these regions; the Food and Agriculture Organization delineated two fishing regions in the Indian Ocean:Eastern Indian Ocean region (Region 57) is the most important region and the fifth largest producing region in the world with 8.5%, or 6,784,778 mt, of the global catch in 2019; the region encompasses the waters north of 55º South latitude and east of 80º East longitude including the Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea with the major producers including India (2,362,481 mt), Indonesia (1,940,558 mt), Burma (1,114,777 mt), Bangladesh (877,837 mt), and Sri Lanka (373,369 mt); the principal catches include shad, Skipjack tuna, mackerel, shrimp, and sardinellas

Topic: Pacific Oceanthe Pacific Ocean fisheries are the most important in the world accounting for 57.8%, or 46,144,490 mt, of the global marine capture in 2019; of the six regions delineated by the Food and Agriculture Organization in the Pacific Ocean, the following are the most important: Northwest Pacific region (Region 61) is the world’s most important fishery producing 24% of the global catch or 19,151,516 mt in 2019; it encompasses the waters north of 20º north latitude and west of 175º west longitude with the major producers including China (29,080726 mt), Japan (3,417,871 mt), South Korea (1,403,892 mt), and Taiwan (487,739 mt); the principal catches include Alaska Pollock, Japanese anchovy, chub mackerel, and scads Western Central Pacific region (Region 71) is the world’s second most important fishing region producing 17.3%, or 13,798,443 mt, of the global catch in 2019; tuna is the most important species in this region; the region includes the waters between 20º North and 25º South latitude and west of 175º West longitude with the major producers including Indonesia (6,907,932 mt), Vietnam (4,571,497 mt), Philippines (2,416,879 mt), Thailand (1,509,574 mt), and Malaysia (692,553 mt); the principal catches include Skipjack and Yellowfin tuna, sardinellas, and cephalopods Southeast Pacific region (Region 87) is the third major Pacific fishery and third largest in the world producing 9.7%, or 7,755,134 mt, of the global catch in 2019; this region includes the nutrient rich upwelling waters off the west coast of South America between 5º North and 60º South latitude and east of 120º West longitude with the major producers including Peru (4,888,730 mt), Chile (3,298,795 mt), and Ecuador (1,186,249 mt); the principal catches include Peruvian anchovy (68.5% of the catch), Jumbo flying squid, and Chilean jack mackerel Pacific Northeast region (Region 67) is the fourth largest Pacific Ocean fishery and seventh largest in the world producing 4% of the global catch or 3,160,372 mt in 2019; this region encompasses the waters north of 40º North latitude and east of 175º West longitude including the Gulf of Alaska and Bering Sea with the major producers including the US (3,009,568 mt), Canada (276,677 mt), and Russia (6,908 mt); the principal catches include Alaska pollock, Pacific cod, and North Pacific hake

Regional fisheries bodies: Commission for the Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna, Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission, International  Council for the Exploration of the Seas, North Pacific Fisheries Commission, South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organization, Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center, Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commissionthe Pacific Ocean fisheries are the most important in the world accounting for 57.8%, or 46,144,490 mt, of the global marine capture in 2019; of the six regions delineated by the Food and Agriculture Organization in the Pacific Ocean, the following are the most important:Northwest Pacific region (Region 61) is the world’s most important fishery producing 24% of the global catch or 19,151,516 mt in 2019; it encompasses the waters north of 20º north latitude and west of 175º west longitude with the major producers including China (29,080726 mt), Japan (3,417,871 mt), South Korea (1,403,892 mt), and Taiwan (487,739 mt); the principal catches include Alaska Pollock, Japanese anchovy, chub mackerel, and scadsWestern Central Pacific region (Region 71) is the world’s second most important fishing region producing 17.3%, or 13,798,443 mt, of the global catch in 2019; tuna is the most important species in this region; the region includes the waters between 20º North and 25º South latitude and west of 175º West longitude with the major producers including Indonesia (6,907,932 mt), Vietnam (4,571,497 mt), Philippines (2,416,879 mt), Thailand (1,509,574 mt), and Malaysia (692,553 mt); the principal catches include Skipjack and Yellowfin tuna, sardinellas, and cephalopodsSoutheast Pacific region (Region 87) is the third major Pacific fishery and third largest in the world producing 9.7%, or 7,755,134 mt, of the global catch in 2019; this region includes the nutrient rich upwelling waters off the west coast of South America between 5º North and 60º South latitude and east of 120º West longitude with the major producers including Peru (4,888,730 mt), Chile (3,298,795 mt), and Ecuador (1,186,249 mt); the principal catches include Peruvian anchovy (68.5% of the catch), Jumbo flying squid, and Chilean jack mackerel

Topic: Southern Oceanthe Southern Ocean fishery is relatively small with a total catch of 380,771 mt in 2019; the Food and Agriculture Organization has delineated three regions in the Southern Ocean (Regions 48, 58, 88) that generally encompass the waters south of 40° to 60° South latitude; the most important producers in these regions include Norway (230,258 mt), China (50,381 mt), and South Korea (43,336 mt); Antarctic Krill made up 96% of the total catch in 2019, while other important species include Patagonian and Antarctic toothfish

Regional fisheries bodies: Commission on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources