<hdr>The World Factbook 1994: Qatar<nl>Government</hdr><body>
<list>
<item><hi format=bold>Names:</hi>
<list style=hang>
<item>• <hi format=ital>conventional long form:</hi> State of Qatar
<item>• <hi format=ital>conventional short form:</hi> Qatar
<item>• <hi format=ital>local long form:</hi> Dawlat Qatar
<item>• <hi format=ital>local short form:</hi> Qatar
</list>
<item><hi format=bold>Digraph:</hi> QA
<item><hi format=bold>Type:</hi> traditional monarchy
<item><hi format=bold>Capital:</hi> Doha
<item><hi format=bold>Administrative divisions:</hi> there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 9 municipalities (baladiyat, singular—baladiyah); Ad Dawhah, Al Ghuwayriyah, Al Jumayliyah, Al Khawr, Al Rayyan, Al Wakrah, Ash Shamal, Jarayan al Batnah, Umm Salal
<item><hi format=bold>Independence:</hi> 3 September 1971 (from UK)
<item><hi format=bold>National holiday:</hi> Independence Day, 3 September (1971)
<item><hi format=bold>Constitution:</hi> provisional constitution enacted 2 April 1970
<item><hi format=bold>Legal system:</hi> discretionary system of law controlled by the amir, although civil codes are being implemented; Islamic law is significant in personal matters
<item><hi format=bold>Suffrage:</hi> none
<item><hi format=bold>Executive branch:</hi>
<list style=hang>
<item>• <hi format=ital>chief of state and head of government:</hi> Amir and Prime Minister KHALIFA bin Hamad Al Thani (since 22 February 1972); Crown Prince HAMAD bin Khalifa Al Thani (appointed 31 May 1977; son of Amir and Minister of Defense)
<item>• <hi format=ital>cabinet:</hi> Council of Ministers; appointed by the amir
<item><hi format=bold>Advisory Council (Majlis al-Shura):</hi> constitution calls for elections for part of this consultative body, but no elections have been held; seats—(30 total)
<item><hi format=bold>Judicial branch:</hi> Court of Appeal
<item><hi format=bold>Political parties and leaders:</hi> none