Middle East > Qatar > Government

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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
Ambassadors from Finland > Current Finnish Ambassadors > Ambassador	Esa Hurtig
Capital city	Doha
Capital city > Geographic coordinates	25 17 N, 51 32 E
Capital city > Name	Doha
Capital city > Time difference UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Constitution ratified by public referendum on 29 April 2003, endorsed by the Amir on 8 June 2004, effective on 9 June 2005
Copyright > Reference	s. 15,
Corruption	5.9		[32nd of 160]
countries' copyright length > Usual term of copyright protection	50 pma
Diplomatic representation from the US > Chief of mission Ambassador Joseph E. LEBARON
Diplomatic representation from the US > Embassy Al-Luqta District, 22 February Road, Doha
Diplomatic representation from the US > FAX	[974] 488 4150
Diplomatic representation from the US > Mailing address	P. O. Box 2399, Doha
Diplomatic representation from the US > Telephone	[974] 488 4161
Diplomatic representation in the US > Chancery 2555 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20037
Diplomatic representation in the US > Chief of mission Ambassador Ali Fahad al-Shahwany al-HAJRI
Diplomatic representation in the US > Consulate(s) general	Houston
Diplomatic representation in the US > FAX	[1] (202) 237-0061
Diplomatic representation in the US > Telephone [1] (202) 274-1600 and 274-1603
Executive branch > A note in March 1999, Qatar held nationwide elections for a 29-member Central Municipal Council, which has consultative powers aimed at improving the provision of municipal services
Executive branch > Cabinet Council of Ministers appointed by the monarch
Executive branch > Chief of state Amir HAMAD bin Khalifa Al-Thani (since 27 June 1995 when, as heir apparent, he ousted his father, Amir KHALIFA bin Hamad Al-Thani, in a bloodless coup); Heir Apparent TAMIM bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, fourth son of the monarch (selected Heir Apparent by the monarch on 5 August 2003); note - Amir HAMAD also holds the positions of Minister of Defense and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces
Executive branch > Elections	the monarch is hereditary
Executive branch > Head of government Prime Minister HAMAD bin Jasim bin Jabir Al-Thani (since 3 April 2007); Deputy Prime Minister Abdallah bin Hamad al-ATIYAH (since 3 April 2007)
Executive branch > Note in April 2007, Qatar held nationwide elections for a 29-member Central Municipal Council (CMC), which has limited consultative powers aimed at improving the provision of municipal services; the first election for the CMC was held in March 1999
Flag description maroon with a broad white serrated band (nine white points) on the hoist side
Flag modification	9		[137th of 197]
Foreign relations > Croatia > Date of Establishment	December 5, 1992
Foreign relations > Nepal > Date of Establishment	January 21, 1977
General government final consumption expenditure > current LCU	17769000000
General government final consumption expenditure > current US$	4,881,593,000 $		[56th of 169]
General government final consumption expenditure > current US$ (per $ GDP)	0.115 $ per $1 of GDP		[99th of 184]
General government final consumption expenditure > current US$ (per capita)	6,005.587 $ per capita		[14th of 184]
Government type	emirate
Heads of Missions from the United Kingdom	Simon Collis
Heads of Missions from the United Kingdom > Resident Heads of Missions > Type	Embassy
Independence 3 September 1971 (from UK)
Independence Day > Date	September 3
International organization participation ABEDA, ACC, AFESD, AMF, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Judicial branch Courts of First Instance, Appeal, and Cassation; an Administrative Court and a Constitutional Court were established in 2007; note - all judges are appointed by Amiri Decree based on the recommendation of the Supreme Judiciary Council for renewable three-year terms
Legal system based on Islamic and civil law codes; discretionary system of law controlled by the Amir, although civil codes are being implemented; Islamic law dominates family and personal matters; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Legislative branch unicameral 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 year since the new constitution came into force on 9 June 2005; the constitution provides for a new 45-member Advisory Council or Majlis al-Shura; the public would elect two-thirds of the Majlis al-Shura; the Amir would appoint the remaining members; preparations are underway to conduct elections to the Majlis al-Shura
Legislative branch > A note the constitution calls for elections for part of this consultative body, but no elections have been held since 1970, when there were partial elections to the body; Council members have had their terms extended every four years since
National holiday Independence Day, 3 September
Political parties and leaders	none
Political pressure groups and leaders	none
Prime minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifah Al Thani
Status	absolute monarchy
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal
Trademarks, nonresidents	664		[57th of 99]
Trademarks, nonresidents (per capita)	1,473.947 per 1 million people		[21st of 146]
Trademarks, residents	57		[63rd of 98]
Trademarks, residents (per capita)	126.529 per 1 million people		[63rd of 142]
Transnational Issues > Disputes > International	none
UN membership date	21 Sep. 1971
United Nations mission http://english.mofa.gov.qa/
Washington, D.C. embassies > Neighborhood West End

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