Qatar

Qatar

Qatar  is a sovereign Arab state, located in Western Asia, occupying the small Qatar Peninsula on the northeasterly coast of the much larger Arabian Peninsula. Its sole land border is with Saudi Arabia to the south, with the rest of its territory surrounded by the Persian Gulf. A strait in the Persian Gulf separates Qatar from the nearby island state of Bahrain. Compaq Presario CQ42-228LA Laptop Keyboard

Qatar has been ruled as an absolute and hereditary emirate by the Al Thani family since the mid-19th century. Formerly one of the poorest Persian Gulf states, the mainly barren country was noted mainly for pearl hunting. It was a British protectorate until it gained independence in 1971. Since then, it has become one of the region's wealthiest states due to its enormous oil and natural gas revenues. COMPAQ Presario C700 Laptop Keyboard

In 1995, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani became Emir when he deposed his father, Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani, in a peaceful coup d'état.[9] The most important positions in Qatar are held by the members of the Al Thani family, or close confidants of the al-Thani family. Beginning in 1992, Qatar has built intimate military ties with the United States, and is now the location of U.S. Central Command’sForward Headquarters and the Combined Air Operations Center. HP Pavilion dv6-3056sg Laptop Keyboard

Qatar has proven reserves of oil and natural gas.[10] Qatar tops the list of the world's richest countries by Forbes. In 2010, Qatar had the world's highest GDP per capita, while the economy grew by 19%, the fastest in the world. The main drivers for this rapid growth are attributed to ongoing increases in production and exports of liquefied natural gas, oil, petrochemicals, and related industries. SAMSUNG Q330-JS02 Laptop Keyboard

Qatar has the highest human development in the Arab World.[11] In 2009, Qatar was the United States’ fifth-largest export market in the Middle East (after the UAE, Israel, Saudi Arabia and Egypt). HP Pavilion DV7-3065dx Laptop Keyboard

With a small citizen population of fewer than 250,000 people,[12] foreign workers outnumber native Qataris. Foreign expatriates come mainly from other Arab nations (20% of population), the Indian subcontinent (India 24.5%, Nepal 13%, Pakistan 7%, Sri Lanka 5%), Southeast Asia (Philippines 10%), and other countries (5%).[13] HP 640436-001 Laptop Keyboard

Recent discoveries in Wadi Debay’an, a site located a few kilometers south of Zubarah, indicate human presence from 7,500 years ago. Amongst the findings were a wall built of stone, possibly used as a fish trap.[14] Discovery of a 6th millennium BC site at Shagra, in southeastern Qatar revealed the key role the sea (the Persian Gulf) played in the lives of Shagra’s inhabitants. Excavations at Al Khor in northeastern Qatar, DELL Latitude D830 Laptop Keyboard

Bir Zekrit and Ras Abaruk, and the discovery there of pottery, flint, flint-scraper tools, and painted ceramic vessels indicates Qatar’s connection with the Al-Ubaid civilisation, which flourished in the land between the Tigris and the Euphrates rivers in present-day Iraq during the period of 5th–4th millennium BC. It is thought that Mesopotamian fisherman working the rich fishing banks off the Arabian coast visited local settlements, HP Pavilion dv6-3056sg Laptop Keyboard

bringing pottery with them and exchanging it for fresh meat in an improvised barter-based trade system.[15] The first potsherds of the Ubaid Mesopotamia were found by a Danish expedition in Al Da'asa in 1961, but not identified until later. A second expedition was held in 1973–74 led by Beatrice De Cardi.[16] Contact between the people of Mesopotamia and the eastern Arabian coast (including Qatar) continued over centuries. Lenovo 3000 C200 Laptop Keyboard

In the early 3rd millennium, Sumerians settled on Tarut Island, off the Saudi coast, approximately 100 kilometers north-west of Qatar. Later, from 2450 to 1700 BC, Dilmun, a peaceful trading civilization, was centered in Bahrain.[17] Evidence that Qatar was part of the complex trading network is found from the presence of Barbar pottery, a product of the Dilmun civilization, in Ras Abrouk.[18] DELL PVDG3 Laptop Keyboard

Qatar then emerged as one of the richest places in the Persian Gulf, with regard to the trade and commerce between the 3rd and 2nd millennium BC. This period witnessed the spread of the Bronze Age cultures and civilizations from Mesopotamia to the Indus Valley settlements of India. DELL 0PVDG3 Laptop Keyboard

Trade between Mesopotamia and Indus Valley was channeled through the Persian Gulf, with the western coast of Qatar playing a vital role in the transshipment of the commercial goods as the discovery of fragments of Barbar pottery in Ras Abaruk reveals it. Qatar also attracted seasonal migrants during the period of the Bronze Age.[15] SONY VAIO VGN-CS16G/Q Laptop Keyboard

Kassite of the Zagros Mountains, which is located in the province of Lorestan, assumed power in Babylonia after the fall of the Old Babylonian Empire after circa 1531 BC to circa 1155 BC and spread their influence throughout the Persian Gulf region including a small island on the bay of Al Khor in the north of Doha. Ceramics, which were of Kassite origin that were unearthened while excavating in Al Khor for archaeological evidences, clearly indicate the close links between Qatar and Babylonia during this period.[15] HP G62-225DX Laptop Keyboard

The Greco-Roman trade between Europe and India was carried on via the Persian Gulf during 140 BC. Archaeological evidence found in Qatar suggests the Greek and Roman influences in the peninsula, particularly at Ras Abaruk, included stone structures, such as dwellings, cairns, hearths and low mounds containing large quantities of fish bones. Excavation of the dwelling revealed two chambers; linked by a cross-wall, HP Pavilion dv6-2112sa Laptop Keyboard

with a third room open to the sea. Ras Abaruk was a temporary fishing station where periodic landing were made to dry fish during this period. In fact, pearls and dried fish were the major items for exportation from Qatar during the Greco-Roman period.[15] HP G62-225DX Laptop Keyboard

The whole Persian Gulf region afterwards emerged as the most important trade centre, linking between the West and the East, during the time of the Sassanid Persian Empire in the 3rd century AD. Cargoes of copper, spices, sandalwood, teak, blackwood, etc., arriving from the East were exchanged for shipments of purple dye, clothing, pearls, dates, gold and silver. Qatar played a pre-eminent role in that commercial activity contributing at least two of these commodities to the Sassanid trade – purple dye and precious pearls.[15] IBM Lenovo Thinkpad X201 Laptop Keyboard

Although the peninsula land mass that makes up Qatar has sustained humans for thousands of years, for the bulk of its history, the arid climate fostered only short-term settlements by Nomadic tribes. TOSHIBA Satellite L755-SP5102CL Laptop Keyboard

Islam was spread in the entire Arabian region by the end of the 7th century, resulting in the Islamization of the native Arabian pagans. With the spread of Islam in Qatar, the Islamic prophet Muhammad sent his first military envoy, Al Ala Al-Hadrami, to Al-Mundhir Ibn Sawa Al-Tamimi, the ruler of Bahrain (which extended from the coast of Kuwait to the south of Qatar, including Al-Hasa and Bahrain Islands), SONY VAIO PCG-FR315M Laptop Keyboard

in the year 628, inviting him to accept Islam as he had invited other kingdoms and empires of his time such as Byzantium and Persia. Mundhir, in response to Muhammad, announced his acceptance of Islam, and the inhabitants of Qatar became Muslim, heralding the beginning of the Islamic era in Qatar. However, it is likely that some settled populations in Qatar did not instantaneously convert. An important seventh-century saint and mystic, named Isaac of Nineveh, became a leader in the Syrian church.[15][19] Packard Bell Easynote TM81 laptop keyboard

During the Umayyad and the Abbasid rules in Damascus and Baghdad respectively, there was further growth of trade and commerce in Qatar. Yaqut Al Hamawi, an Arabhistorian and biographer, who died in 1229, considered Qatar as a village and famous for camel and horse breeding centre during the Umayyad period. During the ascendancy of the Abbasid in Baghdad, SONY VAIO VGN-N17G laptop keyboard

the pearling industry in the rich waters around Qatar developed considerably and the demand for Qatari pearl increased in the East, which extended as far as China. With the expansion of the mercantile activities on the coasts of Qatar, settlements began to grow on the north of Qatar, particularly at Murwab in the Yoghbi area between Zubarah and Umm el-Ma with more than 100 small stone built houses.[15] HP G72-150EF laptop keyboard

At the beginning of the 16th century, the Portuguese Empire enhanced their power and influence over the Persian Gulf after establishing hold over the Strait of Hormuz. The Portuguese Empire settled its commercial relations with many Persian Gulf harbors including Qatar, where it exported gold, silver, silk textiles,Dianthus, SONY VGN-FE48E laptop keyboard

all kinds of pearls, amber and horses.[15] This lasted until the Portuguese were expelled from Qatar and Oman in 1522 by the Ottoman Navy.[20]

In the 18th century, migrants established pearling and trading settlements along the coast of present-day Qatar. The Bani Khalid, HP Pavilion dv6-2020sa laptop keyboard

which established their hold over Eastern Arabia, extended their power in the area from Qatar to Kuwait in the first half of the 18th century. Zubarah, which already emerged as one of the most salient sea ports in the Persian Gulf in view of the increased exportation of pearls to the different parts of the world, became the headquarters of the Bani Khalid administration in Qatar and the principal transit port for their Eastern and the Central Arabian territories. TOSHIBA Satellite P305-S8832 laptop keyboard

The importations made from Surat of India to the port of Zubarah were Surat blue and other piece goods, cambay, chauders, shawls, bamboo, coffee, sugar, pepper, spices, iron, tin, oil, ghee, rice, etc. A part of these importations was retained at Zubarah for the consumption there and its immediate vicinities and the remainder were conveyed by means of camels to Dariyah in Nejd and to Al Hasa including the other districts under the jurisdiction of Bani Khalid.[15] HP G61-110SA laptop keyboard

In 1821, as punishment for piracy, an East India Company vessel bombarded Doha, destroying the town and forcing hundreds of residents to flee. The residents of Doha had no idea why they were being attacked. As a result, Qatari rebel groups began to emerge in order to fight the Al-Khalifas and to seek independence from Bahrain. In 1825, the House of Thani was established with Sheikh Thani bin Mohammed as the first leader.[22] Packard Bell Easynote TK85 laptop keyboard

Although Qatar had the legal status of a dependency, resentment festered against the Bahraini Al Khalifas along the eastern seaboard of the Qatari peninsula. In 1867, the Al Khalifas launched an effort to crush the Qatari rebels, sending a massive naval force to Al Wakrah. SAMSUNG NP-N145-JP02 laptop keyboard

This resulted in the maritime Qatari–Bahraini War of 1867–1868, where Bahraini forces sacked and looted Doha and Al Wakrah.[23] However, the Bahraini aggression was in violation of the 1820 Anglo-Bahraini Treaty. This attack, and the Qatari counterattack, prompted the British political agent, SONY VAIO PCG-FR315M laptop keyboard

Colonel Lewis Pelly, to impose a settlement in 1868. His mission to Bahrain and Qatar and the peace treaty that resulted were milestones in Qatar's history because they implicitly recognized the distinctness of Qatar from Bahrain and explicitly acknowledged the position of Sheikh Mohammed bin Thani, SONY VAIO VGN NR480E laptop keyboard

an important representative of the peninsula's tribes. The diplomatic response of the British to this violation set into motion the political forces that would eventuate in the founding of the state of Qatar on 18 December 1878 (for this reason, the date of 18 December is celebrated each year as Qatar National Day). In addition to censuring Bahrain for its breach of agreement, the BritishProtectorate (per Colonel Lewis Pelly) asked to negotiate with a representative from Qatar. HP G72-150EF Laptop Keyboard

The request carried with it a tacit recognition of Qatar’s status as distinct from Bahrain. The Qataris chose as their negotiator the entrepreneur and long-time resident of Doha, Muhammed bin Thani. The Al Thanis had taken relatively little part in Persian Gulf politics, but the diplomatic foray ensured their participation in the movement towards independence and their hegemony as the future ruling family, a dynasty that continues to this day. The results of the negotiations left the nation with a new-found sense of political identity, although it did not gain official standing as a British protectorate until 1916. DELL Inspiron 6400 Laptop Keyboard

Under military and political pressure from the Governor of the Ottoman Vilayet of Baghdad, Midhat Pasha, the House of Thaniin Qatar submitted to Ottoman rule in 1871.[24] By the end of that year, Ottoman rule extended from Kuwait to Qatar.[24] The Ottoman government imposed reformist (Tanzimat) measures concerning taxation and land registration to fully integrate these areas into the empire.[24]  SONY VAIO VGN-FS742/W Laptop Keyboard

In March 1893, at the Battle of Wajbah (10 miles west of Doha), Shaikh Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani defeated the Ottomans. Although Qatar did not gain full independence from the Ottoman Empire, the result of the battle forced a treaty that would later form the basis of Qatar emerging as an autonomous separate country within the empire.[25] HP 597635-001 Laptop Keyboard

The British initially sought out Qatar and the Persian Gulf as an intermediary vantage point en route to their colonial interests in India; although, the discovery of petroleum and other hydrocarbons in the early 20th century would reinvigorate their interest. During the 19th century, the time of Britain’s formative ventures into the region, the Al Khalifa clan reigned over the northern Qatari peninsula from the nearby island of Bahrain to the west. Compaq Presario CQ57 Series Laptop Keyboard

The Ottoman Empire fell into disorder after losing battles in different fronts in the Middle Eastern theatre of World War I. Qataris took part in the Arab revolt against the Ottomans. The revolt was successful and Ottoman rule in Qatar collapsed. DELL Vostro PP37L Laptop Keyboard

The United Kingdom and the Ottoman Empire accorded their recognition to Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim Al Thani and his successors' right to rule over the whole of the Qatari Peninsula. The Ottomans renounced all their rights to Qatar and following the outbreak of the First World War, Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim Al Thani, who was pro-British, forced the Ottomans to abandon Doha in 1915.[26] ACER Aspire 5742 Laptop Keyboard

As a result of the partitioning of the Ottoman Empire, Qatar became a British protectorate on 3 November 1916. On that day, the United Kingdom, in order to bring Qatar under its Trucial System of Administration, signed a treaty with Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim Al Thani. While Sheikh Abdullah agreed not to enter into any relations with any other power without prior consent of the British Government, HP Probook 4320s Laptop Keyboard

 Percy Zachariah Cox, the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, who signed the treaty on behalf of his government, guaranteed the protection of Qatar "from all aggression by sea".[26]

On 5 May 1935, Sheikh Abdullah signed another treaty, which was able to obtain Britain’s agreement for the protection of Qatar from inside as well as any attacks from external forces.[26] Oil reserves were first discovered in 1939. SONY VAIO VGN-NW50JB laptop keyboard

However, exploitation was delayed by World War II.

The reach of the British Empire diminished after World War II, especially following Indian independence in 1947. In the 1950s, oil was beginning to replace pearling and fishing as Qatar's main source of revenue. Oil revenues began to fund the expansion and modernisation of Qatar's infrastructure. HP Pavilion dv6-2190us laptop keyboard

Pressure for a British withdrawal from the Arab emirates in the Persian Gulf increased during the 1950s, and the British granted Kuwait's independence in 1961. When Britain officially announced in 1968 that it would disengage politically (though not economically) from the Persian Gulf in three years' time, Qatar joined Bahrain and seven other Trucial States in a federation. Regional disputes, however, quickly compelled Qatar to resign and declare independence from the coalition that would evolve into the United Arab Emirates. DELL Latitude D510 laptop keyboard

On 3 September 1971, Qatar officially gained its independence from the United Kingdom and became an independent sovereign state.[15] In 1972, Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani seized power in a palace coup after infighting in the ruling family. SONY VAIO VGN-FS195VP laptop keyboard

In 1991, Qatar played a significant role in the Persian Gulf War, particularly during the Battle of Khafji in which Qatari tanks rolled through the streets of the town providing fire support for Saudi Arabian National Guard units which were fighting against units of the Iraqi Army. Qatar also allowed Coalition troops from Canada to use the country as an airbase to launch aircraft on CAP duty. SONY VGN-FE21B laptop keyboard

Since 1995, Emir Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani has ruled Qatar, seizing control of the country from his father Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani while the latter vacationed in Switzerland. Under Emir Hamad, Qatar has experienced a moderate degree of liberalization, including the launch of the Al Jazeera television station (1996), Lenovo 45N2205 laptop keyboard

the endorsement of women's suffrage or right to vote in municipal elections (1999), drafting its first written constitution (2005), and inauguration of a Roman Catholic church (2008). In 2010, Qatar was selected to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup, and will be the first country in the Middle East to host the tournament. The emir says Qatar will hold its first national legislative elections in 2013. Packard Bell Easynote TK85 laptop keyboard

Qatar is increasingly active on the regional stage. It served as the US Central Command headquarters and one of the main launching sites of the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003.[27] On February 13, 2004 Zelimkhan Yandarbiyev (a Chechen writer and a politician),was killed when a bomb ripped through his SUV in the Qatari capital, Doha. Yandarbiyev was seriously wounded and died in hospital. His 13-year old son Daud was seriously injured. Some, but not all, SONY VAIO VGN-N11S laptop keyboard

reports said two of his bodyguards were killed, but this has not been confirmed.</ref> Two of the GRU agents Anatoly Yablochkov (also known as Belashkov) and Vasily Pugachyov (sometimes misspelled as Bogachyov), were charged & convicted with the assassination of Yandarbiyev,

In March 2005, a suicide bombing killed a British teacher at the Doha Players Theater, shocking for a country that had not previously experienced acts of terrorism. The bombing was carried out by Omar Ahmed Abdullah Ali, an Egyptian residing in Qatar, SONY VAIO VGN-FZ72B laptop keyboard

who had suspected ties to Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula.[28][29] In 2011, Qatar joined NATO operations in Libya and reportedly armed Libyan opposition groups.[30] It is also currently giving assistance to rebel groups in Syria. Qatar is pursuing an Afghan peace deal and in January 2012 the Afghan Taliban said they were setting up a political office in Qatar to facilitate talks.  Lenovo ThinkPad Edge E520 laptop keyboard

Qatar is a constitutional monarchy under the leadership of the Al Thani family, whose origins can be traced back to the Banu Tamim tribe. The Al Thani dynasty has been ruling Qatar since the family house was established in 1825.[31] Packard Bell Easynote TM98 laptop keyboard

The supreme chancellor has the exclusive power to appoint and remove the prime minister and cabinet ministers who, together, comprise the Council of Ministers, which is the supreme executive authority in the country.[32] The Council of Ministers also initiates legislation. Laws and decrees proposed by the Council of Ministers are referred to the Advisory Council (Majilis Al Shura) for discussion after which they are submitted to the Emir for ratification.[32] TOSHIBA Satellite M645-S4112 laptop keyboard

A Consultative Assembly or Majlis Al-Shura has limited legislative authority to draft and approve laws, but the Emir has final say on all matters.[31] No legislative elections have been held since 1970 when there were partial elections to the body.[31] Elections to the Majlis al-Shura have been announced, and then postponed, several times.[33] In 2011 the emir announced that elections to the council would be held in the second half of 2013.[34] Lenovo 3000 G430 4152 laptop keyboard

In 2003, Qatar adopted a new constitution that provided for the direct election of 30 of the 45 members of Advisory Council.[31][33] As of 2012, the Council is composed entirely of members appointed by the Emir.[31] SAMSUNG BA59-02489J laptop keyboard

An elected 29-member Central Municipal Council (CMC) has limited consultative authority aimed at improving municipal services.[31] The CMC makes recommendations to the Ministry for Municipal Affairs and Agriculture. IBM Thinkpad Z60m laptop keyboard

Disagreement between the CMC and the Ministry can be brought to the Council of Ministers for resolution.[33] Municipal elections are scheduled for every four years.[33] The most recent elections for the council were in May 2011.[31] Before 1999, members of the CMC were appointed by the government. SONY KFRMBA152A laptop keyboard、

Shari’a (Islamic law) is the main source of Qatari legislation,[35] and is applied to aspects of family law, inheritance, and certain criminal acts.[36]

Codified family law was introduced in 2006. Sharia courts were abolished in 2003 but Sharia principles are still applied in matters related to personal status (such as marriage, divorce and child custody). In some cases a woman’s testimony is worth half a man’s and in some cases a female witness is not accepted at all.[37] HP Pavilion dv6-2150es laptop keyboard

Alcohol consumption is legal in Qatar. Luxury hotels are allowed to sell alcohol to their adult customers.[38][39] Foreign nationals may obtain a permit to purchase alcohol for personal consumption. The Qatar Distribution Company (a subsidiary of Qatar Airways) is permitted to import alcohol and pork; it operates the one and only liquor store in the country, which also sells pork to holders of liquor licences.[40] HP 550 Laptop Keyboard

Until recently, restaurants on the Pearl-Qatar (a man-made island near Doha) were allowed to serve alcoholic drinks.[38][39] In December 2011, however, restaurants on the Pearl were told to stop selling alcohol.[38][41] No explanation was given for the ban.[38][39] Speculation about the reason includes the government's desire to project a more pious image in advance of the country’s first election of a royal advisory body and rumors of a financial dispute between the government and the resort’s developers.[41] Lenovo ThinkPad Edge E520 Laptop Keyboard

Many cases of ill-treatment of immigrant labour have been observed. Qatar does not maintain wage standards for its immigrant labor. Under the provisions of Qatar’s sponsorship law, sponsors have the unilateral power to cancel workers’ residency permits, deny workers’ ability to change employers, report a worker as “absconded” to police authorities, and deny permission to leave the country.[42] As a result, sponsors may restrict workers’ movements and workers may be afraid to report abuses or claim their rights.[42] HP G42-415DX Laptop Keyboard

As of 2005, certain provisions of the Qatari Criminal Code allowed punishments such as flogging and stoning to be imposed as criminal sanctions. The UN Committee Against Torture found that these practices constituted a breach of the obligations imposed by the UN Convention Against Torture.[43][44] Qatar retains the death penalty, HP Pavilion dm1-1010st Laptop Keyboard

mainly for threats against national security.

Qatar was also an early member of OPEC and a founding member of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). It is a member of theArab League. The country has not accepted compulsory International Court of Justice jurisdiction.[31] HP Pavilion DV7-3065dx Laptop Keyboard

Qatar has bilateral relationships with a variety of foreign powers. It has allowed American forces to use an air base to send supplies to Iraq and Afghanistan.[45] It has also signed a defense cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia,[46] with whom it shares the largest single non-associated gas field in the world. It was the second nation, the first being France, to have publicly announced its recognition of the Libyan opposition's National Transitional Council as the legitimate government ofLibya amidst the 2011 Libyan civil war.[47] GATEWAY NV-54 Laptop Keyboard

The history of Qatar’s alliances provides insight into the basis of their policy. Between 1760 and 1971, Qatar sought formal protection from the high transitory powers of the Ottomans, British, the Al-Khalifa’s from Bahrain, the Persians, and theWahhabis from Saudi Arabia.[48]

According to leaked documents published in The New York Times, SONY 147963021 Laptop Keyboard

Qatar's record of counter-terrorism efforts was the "worst in the region" although Qatar had been a generous host to the American military.[49] The cable suggested that Qatar’s security service was "hesitant to act against known terrorists out of concern for appearing to be aligned with the U.S. and provoking reprisals".[49] ACER Aspire 5738PZG Laptop Keyboard

Qatar has hosted academic, religious, political, and economic conferences. The 11th annual Doha Forum recently brought in key thinkers, professionals of various backgrounds, and political figures from all over the world to discuss democracy, media and information technology, free trade, and water security issues. This year was the first year the forum featured the Middle East Economic Future conference.[50] ASUS F6A Laptop Keyboard

The Qatari peninsula juts 100 miles (161 km) north into the Persian Gulf from Saudi Arabia. It lies between latitudes 24° and 27° N, and longitudes 50° and 52° E.

Much of the country consists of a low, barren plain, covered with sand. To the southeast lies the spectacularKhor al Adaid (“Inland Sea”), an area of rolling sand dunes surrounding an inlet of the Persian Gulf. There are mild winters and very hot, humid summers. HP Mini 110-1033cl Laptop Keyboard

The highest point in Qatar is Qurayn Abu al Bawl at 103 metres (338 ft)[31] in the Jebel Dukhan to the west, a range of lowlimestone outcroppings running north-south from Zikrit through Umm Bab to the southern border. The Jebel Dukhan area also contains Qatar’s main onshore oil deposits, while the natural gas fields lie offshore, to the northwest of the peninsula. ASUS X88S Laptop Keyboard

Qatar signed the Rio Convention on Biological Diversity on 11 June 1992, and became a party to the convention on 21 August 1996.[55] It has subsequently produced a National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, which was received by the convention on 18 May 2005.[56] DELL Studio 1458 Laptop Keyboard

The country's Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan states that 508 animal species have been recorded from terrestrial sites in Quatar. These comprise amphibians (1 species), birds (242 species), invertebrates (228 species), mammals (8 species) and reptiles (29 species). This count is unlikely to be exhaustive, particularly for invertebrates. FUJITSU Lifebook P1620 Laptop Keyboard

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One mammal (the Arabian oryx), and ten birds (cinereous bunting, corncrake, ferruginous duck, great snipe, greater spotted eagle, houbara bustard,lesser kestrel, pale harrier, sociable lapwing and Socotra cormorant) are treated by the plan as endangered. Lenovo ThinkPad Edge E520 Laptop Keyboard

A further 553 animal species have been recorded from marine habitats. These comprise birds (20 species), fish (136 species), invertebrates (379 species), mammals (3 species), and reptiles (15 species). Of these, 10 are treated by the plan as endangered (black finless porpoise, blacktip shark, brown shark, dugong, green turtle, hawksbill turtle, Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin, leatherback turtle, loggerhead turtle, and olive ridley turtle). SAMSUNG N140 Laptop Keyboard

A total of 142 fungal species have been recorded from Qatar.[57] Almost all of these are microscopic species isolated from soil samples, the predominating genera being Alternaria, Aspergillus, Botryotrichum, Cladosporium, Fusarium, Microascus,Penicillium, and Stachybotrys. As with animals, the list is unlikely to be exhaustive. ASUS A3H laptop keyboard

With the exception of brief comment about the importance in Qatari culture of desert truffles (species of Terfezia which live in association with Helianthemumspecies), the country's biodiversity strategy and action plan contained no mention of fungi living on animals (as symbionts or on dung), on plant material (as symbionts or saprobes), or in marine habitats. No lichen-forming fungi were mentioned. The total number of fungi actually occurring in Qatar is thus likely to be greater than the 142 species listed in the plan. Packard Bell Easynote TK85 laptop keyboard

In terrestrial habitats, Qatar has 371 species of flowering plants, belonging in 236 genera. A further 402 plant species were listed from marine habitats.

For two decades, Qatar has had the highest per-capita carbon dioxide emissions in the world, at 49.1 metric tons per person in 2008.[58] FUJITSU Lifebook P1620 laptop keyboard

This is about 60 percent more than one of the next highest per-capita emitting country, which is Kuwait at 30.7 metric tons, more than the double of the emissions of people in the United States. Other sources state that by 2007, Qatar’s emission rate increased to 69 tons per person per year. Lenovo 3000 G430 4152 laptop keyboard

These emissions are largely due to high rates of energy use in Qatar. Major uses of energy in Qatar include air conditioning, natural gas processing, water desalination, and electricity production. Between 1995 and 2011, the electricity generating capacity of Qatar will have increased to six times the previous level. The fact that Qataris do not have to pay for either their water or electricity supplies is thought to contribute to their high rate of energy use. They are also one of the highest consumers of water per capita per day, using around 400 litres.[60] ACER PK13ZLH0100 laptop keyboard

Before the discovery of oil, the economy of the Qatari region focused on fishing and pearl hunting. After the introduction of the Japanese cultured pearl onto the world market in the 1920s and 1930s, Qatar's pearling industry crashed. The discovery ofoil in the 1940s transformed the state's economy. SONY VGN-FE48E laptop keyboard

Now, the country has a high standard of living. With no income tax,[citation needed] Qatar (along with Bahrain) is one of the countries with the lowest tax rates in the world.

Qatar has the highest GDP per capita in the world as of 2012, according to the CIA World Factbook.[62] It relies heavily on foreign labor to grow its economy, to the extent that migrant workers comprise 94% of the workforce.[63] HP Pavilion dv5-1132la Laptop Keyboard

In May 2012, Qatari officials declared their intention to allow the establishment of an independent trade union.[64] Qatar also announced it will scrap its sponsor system for foreign labour, which requires that all foreign workers be sponsored by local employers, who in some cases hold workers’ passports and can deny them permission to change jobs.[64] According to theITUC, HP Pavilion dv4-1125nr Laptop Keyboard

the visa sponsorship system allows the exaction of forced labour by making it difficult for a migrant worker to leave an abusive employer or travel overseas without permission.[65] Qatar does not have national occupational health standards or guidelines, and workplace injuries are the third highest cause of accidental deaths.[66] TOSHIBA Satellite A110 Series Laptop Keyboard

The economic growth of Qatar has been almost exclusively based on its petroleum and natural gas industries, which began in 1940.[67] The country has experienced rapid growth over the last several years due to high oil prices, and in 2008 posted its eighth consecutive budget surplus. Lenovo 3000 N200 Laptop Keyboard

Economic policy is focused on developing Qatar's non-associated natural gas reserves and increasing private and foreign investment in non-energy sectors, but oil and gas still account for more than 50% of GDP; roughly 85% of export earnings, and 70% of government revenues. Proven oil reserves of 15 billion barrels should enable continued output at current levels for 37 years. Qatar's proved reserves of natural gas are nearly 26 trillion cubic metres, about 14% of the world total and the third largest in the world. COMPAQ Presario CQ60-201EP Laptop Keyboard

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While oil and gas will probably remain the backbone of Qatar’s economy for some time to come, the country seeks to stimulate the private sector and develop a “knowledge economy”. In 2004, it established the Qatar Science & Technology Park to attract and serve technology-based companies and entrepreneurs, from overseas and within Qatar.  ASUS X53K Laptop Keyboard

Qatar also established Education City, which consists of international colleges. For the 15th Asian Games in Doha, it establishedDoha Sports City, consisting of Khalifa stadium, the Aspire Sports Academy, aquatic centres, exhibition centres and many other sports related buildings and centres. Following the success of the Asian Games, TOSHIBA Satellite L755-SP5102CL Laptop Keyboard

Doha launched an official bid to host the 2016 Summer Olympics in October 2007.[68] Its bid was finally eliminated from consideration in June 2008. Qatar also plans to build an "entertainment city" in the future.[citation needed] HP G61-452EE Laptop Keyboard

Commercial ties between the United States and Qatar have been expanding at a rapid pace over the last five years, with trade volumes growing by more than 340%, from $738 million in 2003 to $3.2 billion in 2009. Over the same period, U.S. exports increased by 580% to $2.7 billion, making the United States the largest import partner for Qatar. U.S. companies look to play key role in the $60 billion dollars that Qatar will invest in roads, TOSHIBA Mini NB 505-SP0160 Laptop Keyboard

infrastructure development, housing and real estate, health/medical and sanitation projects in the next decade. Qatar has attracted an estimated $100 billion in investment, with approximately $60 to $70 billion coming from the United States in the energy sector. It is estimated that Qatar will invest over $120 billion in the energy sector in the next ten years.[69] DELL Vostro 1015 Laptop Keyboard

The primary means of transportation in Qatar is by road, due to the very cheap price of petroleum. The country as a result has an advanced road system undergoing vast upgrades in response to the country's rapidly rising population, with several highways undergoing upgrades and new expressways within Doha under construction. DELL INSPIRON 1464 Laptop Keyboard

A large bus network connects Doha with other towns in the country, and is the primary means of public transportation in the city.

The Salwa International Highway currently connects Doha to the border with Saudi Arabia, and a causeway with both road and rail links to Bahrain at Zubarah is due to begin construction shortly. The causeway will become the largest in the world, and will be the second to connect Bahrain to the Arabian Peninsula. Lenovo ThinkPad Edge E520 Laptop Keyboard

Currently, no rail networks exist in the country. In November 2009, however, the government signed a $26 billion contract with the German company Deutsche Bahn to construct a railway system over the next 20 years. The network will connect the country itself, and will include an international link with neighbouring states as part of a larger rail network being constructed across the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council. A railway link is also under construction between Qatar andBahrain as part of the Qatar Bahrain Causeway. HP AEUT5U00010 laptop keyboard

Qatar's main airport is the Doha International Airport, which served almost 15 million passengers in 2007. In comparison, the airport served only 2 million passengers in 1998. As a result of the much larger volumes of passengers flying into and through the country today, the New Doha International Airport is currently under construction, and will replace the existing airport in 2013. HP Mini 110-3110sp laptop keyboard

The 2010 census recorded the total population at 1,699,435.[2] In January 2013, the Qatar Statistics Authority estimated the country's population at 1,903,447, of which 1,405,164 are males and 498,283 females.[1] HP AEAX8U00010 laptop keyboard

The population has tripled in the decade to 2011, up from just over 600,000 people in 2001, leaving Qatari nationals as less than 15% of the total population.[74] The influx of male labourers has skewed the gender balance, and women are now just one-quarter of the population.[74]

The make up of ethnic groups is as follows: Qatari (Arab) 20%; other Arab 20%; Indian 20%; Filipino 10%; Nepali 13%; Pakistani 7%; Sri Lankan 5%; other 5%.[13][not in citation given] In 2010, there were 250,000 Filipinos in Qatar, making them the third largest among expatriates.[75] Packard Bell PEW91 laptop keyboard

Projections released by Qatar Statistical Authourity indicates that the total population of Qatar could reach 2.8 million by 2020. Qatar’s National Development Strategy (2011-16) had estimated that the country’s population would reach 1.78m in 2013, 1.81m in 2014, 1.84m in 2015 and 1.86m in 2016 — the yearly growth rate being merely 2.1 percent. But the country’s population have soared to 1.83 million by the end of 2012, showing 7.5 percent growth over the previous year.[76] SONY VAIO VGN-N11M laptop keyboard

Islam is the predominant religion. According to the 2004 census, 77.5% of the population are Sunni Muslim and about 4% Shi'a Muslim, 8.5% are Christian and 10% are "Other".[31][77][78]

The majority of non-citizens are from South and Southeast Asian and Arab countries working on temporary employment contracts, accompanied by family members in some cases.[citation needed] Non-citizens can be Muslim, Protestant or Catholic Christians, Hindus, Jains, Buddhists, Sikhs, or Bahá'ís. HP Pavilion ze5623 laptop keyboard

The government uses Sunni law as the basis of its criminal and civil regulations. Some religious tolerance is granted. Foreign nationals are free to affiliate with their faiths other than Islam, e.g. Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism, Buddhism, Jainism and Bahai, as long as they are religious in private and do not offend 'public order' or 'morality'. Packard Bell Easynote TK85 laptop keyboard

In March 2008, a Roman Catholic church, Our Lady of the Rosary, was consecrated in Doha. No missionaries are allowed in the community. The church has no bells,crosses or other Christian symbols on it and its premises. SONY VAIO PCG-FRV37 laptop keyboard

The Christian population is composed almost entirely of foreigners. Active churches are Mar Thoma Church, Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church from Southern India, Arab Evangelicals from Syria and Palestine, and Anglicans,[79] about 50,000 Catholics and Copts from Egypt.[80] No foreign missionary groups operate openly in the country,[81] but the government allows churches to conduct Mass. Since 2008 Christians have been allowed to build churches on ground donated by the government.[82] SONY VGN-FE48E laptop keyboard

Qatar's native culture is similar to that of other Arab countries of the Persian Gulf (see Culture of the Arab States of the Persian Gulf). Arab tribes from Saudi Arabia migrated to Qatar and other places in the Persian Gulf; therefore, cultures in the Persian Gulf region vary little from country to country.

Qatar explicitly uses Sharia law as the basis of its government, and the vast majority of its citizens follow Hanbali Madhhab. IBM Thinkpad R40 laptop keyboard

The Qatar National Day hosted every 18 December is the day Qataris celebrate their national identity and history. On that day, expressions of affection and gratitude are conveyed to the people of Qatar who cooperated in solidarity and vowed allegiance and obedience to Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani as a leader in 1878.[85][86] HP Pavilion dv4-1125nr laptop keyboard

Main articles: Qatar Museums Authority and Collecting practices of the Al-Thani Family

Qatar's cultural policies are very dynamic. Several senior members of the ruling Al Thani family are enthusiastic collectors of Islamic and contemporary art (see Collecting practices of the Al-Thani Family), and their collections form the backbone of Qatar's museums, such as the Museum of Islamic Art, Doha, theMathaf: SONY VGN-FE48E laptop keyboard

Arab Museum of Modern Art and the Orientalist Museum. More museums are planned, such as the Qatar National Museum. These all fall under the Qatar Museums Authority (QMA) which is led by Sheikha Al-Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, the daughter of the ruling Emir of the State of Qatar, and the prominent collector and art patron Sheikh Hassan bin Mohammed Al-Thani.[87] The QMA also sponsors artistic events abroad, such as major exhibitions by Takahashi Murakami in Versailles (2010) and Damien Hirst in London (2012). TOSHIBA Satellite U305-S5077 laptop keyboard

The Qatari cultural sector is being developed to enable the country to reach world recognition in order to contribute to the development of a country that comes mainly from its resources from the gas industry.[88] TOSHIBA Satellite L300-14G laptop keyboard

Al Jazeera is a main television network headquartered in Doha, Qatar. Al Jazeera initially launched in 1996 as an Arabic news and current affairs satellite TV channel of the same name, but has since expanded into a network of several specialty TV channels. ACER Aspire 5738PZG laptop keyboard

Print media is going through expansion, with over three English dailies and Arabic titles. Qatar Today is the only monthly business magazine in the country. It is published by Oryx Advertising, which is the largest magazine publisher in Qatar. COMPAQ Presario C700 Laptop Keyboard

The group also publishes several titles such as Qatar Al Youm, the only monthly business magazine in Qatar in Arabic language, Woman Today, the only magazine for working women, and GLAM,[89] the only fashion magazine. In December 2009, Oryx launched T Qatar: The New York Times Style Magazine,[90] which marks the entry of an international magazine into Qatar. TOSHIBA Mini NB 505-SP0160 Laptop Keyboard

Football (soccer) is popular in the country. The Qatar under-20 national football team finished second in the 1981 FIFA World Youth Championship after a 4–0 defeat to Germany in the final.

The Asian Football Confederation's 2011 AFC Asian Cup finals was held in Qatar in January 2011. It was the fifteenth time the tournament has been held, and the second time it has been hosted by Qatar, the other being the 1988 AFC Asian Cup. TOSHIBA Satellite L40-14N Laptop Keyboard

Doha, Qatar, is also home to Qatar Racing Club, a drag racing facility. Sheik Khalid bin Hamad Al Thani is very involved in the sport and owner of Al-Anabi Racing. He recently brought his racing company to the United States as a member of the NHRA with the help of 9 time NHRA champion crew chief Alan Johnson, renaming the American team Awsome Al-Anabi Racing, he also brought Johnson on as CEO of the American team, luring him from rival Don Schumacher Racing. They currently have two teams in Top Fuel: Khalid Al-Balooshi and Shawn Langdon. HP 502958-001 Laptop Keyboard

Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex in Doha, Qatar, hosted the WTA Tour Championships in women's tennis between 2008 and 2010. Doha holds the WTA Premier tournament Qatar Ladies Open annually.

On 2 December 2010, Qatar won their bid to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup, despite never having qualified for the FIFA World Cup Finals before.[91] TOSHIBA Satellite 1870 Laptop Keyboard

Nasser Al-Attiyah of Qatar won the 2011 Dakar Rally and the Production World Rally Championship in 2006. In addition, he has also won gold medals at the 2002 Asian Games and 2010 Asian Games as part of the Qatari skeet shooting team, as well as a bronze medal in the individual skeet event at the 2010 Games in Guangzhou. In the 2012 Summer Games, he won the bronze medal in clay pigeon shooting.[92] DELL Vostro 3550 Laptop Keyboard

Since 2002, Qatar has hosted the annual Tour of Qatar, a cycling race in six stages. Every February, riders are racing on the roads across Qatar's flat land for six days. Each stage covers a distance of more than 100 km, though the time trial usually is a shorter distance. Tour of Qatar is organised by the Qatar Cycling Federation for professional riders in the category of Elite Men.[93] HP 488590-001 Laptop Keyboard

In March 2013, Qatar hosted the first round of the FIM World Motocross Championship, becoming the first Motocross Grand Prix to be held in the Middle East.

In 2022, Qatar will host the World Cup. Qatar are planning on building nine new stadiums and expanding three of them for this event. DELL Vostro 3450 Laptop Keyboard

The illiteracy rate in Qatar was 3.1% for males and 4.2% for females in 2012, the lowest in the Arab world.[94] Citizens are required to attend government-provided education from kindergarten through high school.[95] Qatar University was founded in 1973. More recently, with the support of the Qatar Foundation, a number of leading universities from other countries have opened branch campuses in the Education City. HP Mini 110-1125NR Laptop Keyboard

In 2008, Qatar established the Qatar Science & Technology Park at Education City to link those universities with industry. Education City is also home to a fully accredited International Baccalaureate school, Qatar Academy. Two Canadian institutions, the College of the North Atlantic and the University of Calgary, also operate campuses in Doha. Other for-profit universities have also established campuses in the city.[96] TOSHIBA Satellite L755D-SP5165RM Laptop Keyboard

In November 2002, the Emir Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani created the Supreme Education Council.[97] The Council directs and controls education for all ages from the pre-school level through the university level, including the “Education for a New Era”[98] reform initiative.

According to the Webometrics Ranking of World Universities, the top-ranking universities in the country are Qatar University (1881st worldwide), Texas A&M University at Qatar (3905th) and Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar (6855th).[99] DELL INSPIRON 1464 Laptop Keyboard

In 2010, spending on healthcare accounted for 1.40% of the country's GDP. In 2006, there were 23.12 physicians and 61.81 nurses per 10,000 inhabitants.[100] The life expectancy at birth was 78.25 years in 2010, or 78.54 years for males and 77.95 years for females.[101]

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Established by the Emiri decree in 1979, HMC manages five highly specialised hospitals and a health care centre: Hamad General Hospital, Rumailah Hospital, Women’s Hospital, Psychiatric Hospital and the Primary Health Care Centres and Al Khor Hospital. These hospitals are quite sophisticated by the standards of the region, with most hosting advanced fMRI and other scanning machines. SONY KFRSBA019A Laptop Keyboard

Other private hospitals and polyclinics consist of Sidra Hospital, Al-Ahli Hospital, Doha Clinic, Al-Emadi Hospital, The American Hospital, Apollo Clinic, Future Medical Center, Future Dental Center, and Tadawi Medical. Qatar has among the highest rates in the world for obesity, diabetes and genetic disorders.[102ACER Aspire 5742 Laptop Keyboard

An Air and Space Operations Center (AOC) is a type of command center used by the United States Air Force. It is the senior agency of the Air Force component commander to provide command and control of air and space operations.[1] HP Pavilion dv6-2141ee laptop keyboard

The US Air Force employs two kinds of AOCs: regional AOCs (the AN/USQ-163 Falconer) that support geographic combatant commanders, and functional AOCs that support functional combatant commanders.[2] When there is more than one military service working in an AOC, it is called a Joint Air and Space Operations Center (JAOC). In cases of allied or coalition (multinational) operations, the AOC is called a Combined Air and Space Operations Center (CAOC).[1] Compaq Presario CQ57-229wm laptop keyboard

An AOC is the senior element of the Theater Air Control System (TACS). The Joint Force Commander (JFC) assigns a Joint Forces Air Component Commander (JFACC) to lead the AOC weapon system. Quite often the Commander, Air Force Forces (COMAFFOR) is assigned the JFACC position for planning and executing theater-wide air and space forces. Compaq Presario CQ42 laptop keyboard

The 601 Air and Space Operations Center (AOC) plans, directs, and assesses air and space operations for the North American Aerospace Defense (NORAD) Command, and the United States Northern Command (NORTHCOM). The AOC provides aerospace warning and control for NORAD Defensive Counter Air (DCA) activities. As well as it directs Air Force air and space capabilities in support of NORTHCOM homeland security and civil support missions. TOSHIBA Satellite L775D-S7226 Laptop Keyboard

The 601 AOC fills the critical need to meet the challenge of directing all air sovereignty activities for the continental United States and is the new-age combat weapon system needed to fulfill that crucial defense role by remaining vigilant 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.[1] HP Pavilion DV7-3065dx Laptop KeyboardThe Secretary of the Air Force has announced that the missions of the 601st and 612th Air and Space Operations Centers into one unit. It has not been announced which unit will be taking on the additional responsibilities and which will be shuttered. DELL Precision M4500 Laptop Keyboard

nonprofit organization with 55,600 members nationwide. AF Auxiliary flew over 18,000 hours supporting AFNORTH missions. AF Aux performs 90 percent of continental U.S. inland search and rescue missions as tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center and was credited by the AFRCC with saving 91 lives in fiscal year 2008. DELL Inspiron 6400 Laptop Keyboard

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volunteers are a force multiplier for AFNORTHs critical homeland security, disaster relief and counter-drug missions. We provided damage assessment and transport support to federal, state and local agencies during hurricane Katrina, Ike and Gustav and are standing by to support this year's hurricane season. The members play a leading role in aerospace education and serve as mentors to the nearly 22,000 young people currently participating in CAP cadet programs. CAP has been performing missions for America for more than 67 years. DELL Vostro PP37L Laptop Keyboard

101st Information Operations Flight The 101st Information Operations Flight (IOF) provides non-kinetic operational options to the Combined Forces Air Component Commander (CFACC). The unit is engaged in the Global War on Terrorism as demonstrated by its active participation and continued vigilance in Operation Noble Eagle. The 101st has re-shaped the battle-space by showing that Information Operations (IO) is a critical weapon system in the Air and Space Operations Center (AOC) as well as other venues. HP G42-265LA Laptop Keyboard

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The AOC is the eyes, ears, and voice of the CFACC to his fighting forces. The 101st capabilities are employed via a sophisticated split-based, reach-back, full-spectrum concept of operations using forward deployed IO warriors at Tyndall AFB, Florida, while simultaneously executing the mission from the Utah Air National Guard base in Salt Lake City. SONY VAIO VGN-C2S Series Laptop Keyboard

The 101st provides important inputs to the Air Tasking Orders (ATO) executed by the Continental U.S. North American Aerospace Defense Command Region. The 101st supports Integrated Air Defense Systems in the National Capital Region, National Security Special Events, Security Events for Homeland Security, SONY VAIO VGN-NW130D Laptop Keyboard

and associated Combined and Joint Interagency Task Forces. Past activities include participation in Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma relief Operations, major NORAD/USNORTHCOM and Canadian exercises, and operations to support the Super Bowl, Space Shuttle launch and recovery, G8 summit, UN General Assembly, and the Republican/Democratic National Conventions. TOSHIBA Satellite L505-S5984 Laptop Keyboard

Joint Based Expeditionary Connectivity Center The Joint Based Expeditionary Connectivity Center (JBECC) was developed in early 2001 as part of the Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Advanced Systems and Concepts Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration program. Since September 11, 2001, the JBECC has participated in over a dozen operational missions, to protect the President of the United States, TOSHIBA AEBD3U00050 Laptop Keyboard

the National Capital Region, the 2004 Group of Eight (G8) Summit, United Nations General Assembly, Space Shuttle Launches, and Super Bowl XLI. The JBECC is a highly mobile, small footprint, vehicle-mounted communications asset that can rapidly deploy to build an integrated air picture, from multiple Federal Aviation Administration and tactical rdars, within a defined geographical area. ACER Aspire 5315 Laptop Keyboard

This capability enables NORAD to better detect, track, identify, and engage any airborne aircraft, cruise missile, unmanned aerial vehicle, or remotely piloted vehicle. It is the cornerstone in NORAD's Deployable-Homeland Air and Cruise Missile Defense Mission and a critical asset at America's Air and Space Operations Center. HP G72-a10SV Laptop Keyboard

Air Force Rescue Coordination Center (AFRCC) As the United States inland search and rescue (SAR) mission coordinator, the AFRCC serves as the single agency responsible for coordinating life saving federal SAR services, ensuring timely and effective lifesaving operations within the 48 contiguous United States and supporting Mexican and Canadian requests for their SAR operations. The unit’s responsibilities include: HP G42-477TU Laptop Keyboard

initiating searches for missing/overdue aircraft (e.g., all DoD, commercial, and interstate aircraft or intrastate aircraft if requested by the state), managing all inland emergency beacon searches, and supporting state and local SAR operations (e.g., missing person searches, MEDEVAC, organ transport, etc.) The AFRCC operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week and is staffed by one watch supervisor and up to four SAR controllers SONY VAIO VGN-FS742/W Laptop Keyboard

263rd Army Air and Missile Defense Command The 263rd Army Air and Missile Defense Command serves as a supporting command to U.S. Army North (ARNORTH) for all Army Air Defense Artillery (ADA) missions as required to detect, deter, divert, and if necessary defeat air and cruise missile threats to the Continental United States to include National Capital Region Integrated Air Defense System. TOSHIBA Satellite C650-15C Laptop Keyboard

They serve as Theater Army Air and Missile Defense Coordinator to ARNORTH Joint Forces Land Component Commander for planning, coordination, integration, and execution to defeat or destroy Short and Medium Range Ballistic Missile threats to the US Northern Command Combatant Commander's designated priorities. Lenovo 0A62075 laptop keyboard

When required, they assumes lead operational headquarters In Support Of Commander, US Element North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), for support and oversight of Homeland Defense ADA missions to detect, deter, divert, and if necessary defeat airborne attacks within the NORAD area of operation and provide direct support, Deputy Area Air Defense Commander, SONY VAIO VGN NR430E laptop keyboard

to Continental NORAD Region (CONR) Area Air Defense Commander within the CONR area of operation. Additionally, they serve as a supporting command to First Army and Forces Command for active duty Training Readiness Authority for Homeland Defense Army ADA missions. Execute functional coordination with the US Army Space and Missile Defense Command to include new technology insertion and testing for Homeland Defense Army ADA missions. Lenovo Thinkpad T410 laptop keyboard

The United States Central Command (USCENTCOM) is a theater-level Unified Combatant Command of the U.S. Department of Defense, established in 1983. It was originally conceived of as the Rapid Deployment Joint Task Force (RDJTF). HP Pavilion DV6-1128tx laptop keyboard

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Its area of responsibility includes countries in the Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia, most notably Afghanistan and Iraq. CENTCOM has been the main American presence in many military operations, including thePersian Gulf War, the War in Afghanistan (2001–present), and the Iraq War. Forces from USCENTCOM (also called CENTCOM) currently are deployed primarily in Iraq and Afghanistan in combat roles and have bases in Kuwait, TOSHIBA P205-S6337 laptop keyboard

Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Pakistan, and central Asia in support roles. CENTCOM forces have also been deployed in Jordan, and Saudi Arabia in the past, and although there is a small presence remaining in each of those countreis, no substantial U.S. forces are based there as of 2009. SONY VAIO VGN-SZ360 laptop keyboard

The current commander of USCENTCOM is General Lloyd J. Austin, USA, who took command from General James Mattis,USMC on 22 March 2013. Mattis took command from [2][3][4] Lieutenant General John Allen, USMC, the deputy commander since July 2008, who took temporary command when the previous commander, General David Petraeus, USA, left to take command of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan on 23 June.[5] ASUS A6000R laptop keyboard

Of the six American regional unified commands, CENTCOM is one of three regional unified commands whose headquarters are not within its area of operations. CENTCOM's main headquarters is located at MacDill Air Force Base, in Tampa, Florida, although a forward headquarters was established in 2002 at Camp As Sayliyah in Doha, SONY VGN-FE48E laptop keyboard

Qatar, which transitioned to a new forward headquarters at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar in 2009 to serve American strategic interests if the USCENTCOM Area of Responsibility (AOR) and Area of Interest (AOI). The other regional unified commands with headquarters located outside their areas of operations are United States Southern Command(USSOUTHCOM), currently based in Miami, Florida, and United States Africa Command (USAFRICOM), currently based inStuttgart, Germany. Compaq Presario CQ71-320SG laptop keyboard

Exercise Internal Look is one of the Command's primary planning events. Up until around 1990, it was annual, but it is now held every two years. Up until 1990 it was frequently used to train CENTCOM to be ready to defend theZagros Mountains from a Soviet attack.[6] It has been employed for explicit war planning on at least two occasions: SONY VAIO VGN-NW120J laptop keyboard

Internal Look '90, which was held after General Norman Schwarzkopf reoriented CENTCOM's planning to fending off a threat from Iraq, and Internal Look '03, which was used to plan what became Operation Iraqi Freedom. Compaq Presario CQ42-219AX laptop keyboard

On 1 October 2008 Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa at Camp Lemonnier in Djibouti was transferred to AFRICOM. During the Israeli incursion into Lebanon of 2006 a temporary task force, Joint Task Force Lebanon was also operational. Lenovo 3000 G430 4152 laptop keyboard

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CENTCOM staff sections include personnel, operations, logistics, and intelligence, as well as other functions. The intelligence section is known as JICCENT, or Joint Intelligence Center, Central Command, which serves as a Joint Intelligence Center for the co-ordination of intelligence. Under the intelligence directorate, there are several divisions including the Afghanistan-Pakistan Center of Excellence. HP Mini 110-1125NR laptop keyboard

There are also elements of other Unified Combatant Commands, especially United States Special Operations Command, operating in the CENTCOM area. It appears that SOCCENT does not direct the secretive Task Force 77, SONY VGN-FE48E laptop keyboard

the ad-hoc grouping of Joint Special Operations Command 'black' units such as Delta Force and Army Rangers, which is tasked to pursue the most sensitive high value targets such as Al Qaeda and the Taliban leadership since 11 September 2001. Rather TF 77, which started out as Task Force 11 and has gone through a number of name/number changes, reports directly to Joint Special Operations Command, part of USSOCOM. HP 646568-001 Laptop Keyboard

The formal Area of Responsibility (AOR) extends to 20 countries: Afghanistan, Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Uzbekistan, and Yemen. International waters included are the Red Sea, Persian Gulf, and western portions of the Indian Ocean.[8] Syria and Lebanon are the most recent addition, having been transferred from the United States European Command on 10 March 2004. IBM Lenovo Thinkpad X201 Laptop Keyboard

Israel, which is now surrounded by CENTCOM countries remains in EUCOM, "because it is more politically, militarily and culturally aligned with Europe," according to American military officials.[9][citation needed] General Norman Schwarzkopfexpressed the position over Israel more frankly in his 1992 autobiography: SONY Vaio PCG-K23 Laptop Keyboard

'European Command also kept Israel, which from my viewpoint was a help: I'd have had difficulty impressing the Arabs with Central Command's grasp of geopolitical nuance if one of the stops on my itinerary had been Tel Aviv.'[10] DELL Inspiron 6400 Laptop Keyboard

On 7 February 2007, plans were announced for the creation of a United States Africa Command which would transfer responsibility for all of Africa except the country of Egypt to the new USAFRICOM. On 1 October 2008, the Africa Command became operational and Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa, the primary CENTCOM force on the continent, started reporting to AFRICOM at Stuttgart instead of CENTCOM in Tampa. Compaq 6720s Laptop Keyboard

Major US troop presence in the region dates to the 1990 Invasion of Kuwait and the subsequent Operation Desert Shield, which transferred hundreds of thousands of troops to Saudi Arabia. Islamists objected to the presence of non-Muslim troops in Saudi Arabia, and their use in Operation Desert Storm and other attacks on Iraq became a key rallying cry for opposition movements in Saudi Arabia and elsewhere. By the late 1990s, a gradual move to other countries was underway, particularly Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, and the UAE. HP Pavilion G6-1223TX Laptop Keyboard

The military uses a variable number of base locations depending on its level of operations. With warfare ongoing in Iraq and Afghanistan in 2003, the United States Air Force used 35 bases, while in 2006 it used 14, including four in Iraq. The United States Navy maintains one major base and one smaller installation, with extensive deployments afloat and ashore by U.S. Navy, U.S Marine Corps and U.S. Coast Guard ships, aviation units and ground units. Lenovo 3000 Y500 Laptop Keyboard

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