● Each country is a unique chapter in the BOOK OF HUMANITY, written in the sweat and blood of people whose PAGES will now remain forever ● 每个国家都是《人类之书》中独特的一章，由人们的汗水与鲜血写就，而他们的篇章如今将永世留存 ● Каждая страна — уникальная глава КНИГИ ЧЕЛОВЕЧЕСТВА, написанная потом и кровью людей, чьи СТРАНИЦЫ теперь будут оставаться навсегда ●
Qatar - Government
Based on the etymology of Qatar, it was the name may derive from the Arabic word katran, meaning "tar" or "resin" in reference to the area's oil and natural gas reserves. The Government system in this country is the absolute monarchy type and the different Administrative divisions includes: 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
National symbols
A white serrated band with nine white points on top of a maroon field.
The flag
The National flag of Qatar has no official description available.
The National Anthem
| Title | N/A |
|---|---|
| Lyric/music | N/A |
More about the government of Qatar
| Date of 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) |
| Legal system | mixed 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 |
| Constitution | |
| History | Previous 1972 (provisional); latest drafted 2 July 2002, approved by referendum 29 April 2003, endorsed 8 June 2004, effective 9 June 2005 |
| Amendment process | 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 |
| 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 |
| Executive Branch | |
| Chief of state | Amir TAMIM bin Hamad Al Thani (since 25 June 2013) |
| Head of government | Prime Minister and Foreign Minister MUHAMMAD bin Abd al-Rahman Al Thani (since 7 March 2023) |
| Cabinet | Council of Ministers appointed by the amir |
| Election/appointment process | the monarchy is hereditary; prime minister appointed by the amir |
| Legislative branch | |
| Legislature name | Shura Council (Majlis Al-Shura) |
| Legislative structure | Unicameral |
| Number of seats | 49 (all appointed) |
| Electoral system | Plurality/majority |
| Scope of elections | Full renewal |
| Term in office | 4 years |
| Most recent election date | 10/9/2025 |
| Percentage of women in chamber | 6.1% |
| Expected date of next election | September 2029 |
| Judicial branch | |
| Highest court(s) | 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 |
| Diplomatic representation in the US | |
| Chief of mission | Ambassador Meshal bin Hamad 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/home |
| Consulate(s) general | Houston, Los Angeles, New York |
| Diplomatic representation from the US | |
| Chief of mission | Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d’Affaires Stefanie ALTMAN-WINANS (since June 2025) |
| 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/ |
| National heritage | |
| Total World Heritage Sites | 1 (cultural) |
| Selected World Heritage Site locales | Al Zubarah Archaeological Site |
Key Political parties and their leaders in Qatar
Info
No additional political notes.
International organization participation
All Important Facts about Qatar
Want to know more about Qatar? Check all different factbooks for Qatar below.
