General Information

Welcome to Qatar

The territory of the State comprises a number of islands including Halul, Sheraouh Beshairiya, Al Safliya and Al Aaliyahttp. The coastline covers more than 700km with shallow coastal waters in most areas the terrain is flat and rocky, covered with sand flats and dunes. There are some exceptional low-rising limestone outcrops in the north and northwest of the country. The surface of Qatar is characterized by a variety of geographical phenomena and there are many coves and inlets scattered along the coastline. The country is centrally placed among the states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which groups it with Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Oman.

Geography

Qatar is a peninsula some 11,437 square kilometers in size, located halfway down the west coast of the Arabian Gulf.

Climate

The country has a moderate desert climate with hot summers and mild winters. Winter nights can be cool, but temperatures rarely drop below 7 degrees Celsius. Temperatures and humidity rise in coastal cities and towns during summer. Rainfall is scarce (average 70mm per year), falling on isolated days mainly between October and March.

Languages and Religion

The official language of the country is Arabic, but English is widely spoken and understood all official documents (such as visa and residents permit applications) must be completed in Arabic language. Religion Islam is the official religion of the country, and Shari's (Islamic Law) is the principal source of legislation.

Currency

Foreign currency can be exchanged at any bank. The monetary unit is the Qatari Riyal. The average exchange rate is: 1 Qatari Riyal = 0.274725 USD Dollars.

Transport & Communication

The country is well served by Doha International Airport, which is located close to the centre of the city Metered taxis and limousines are easy to find. There is a limited public transport system which operates between neighboring towns Car hire companies are located at the airport and at all major hotels. Qatar has a modern road system which includes highways linking Qatar with other GCC countries - the Friendship Bridge, linking Qatar to Bahrain, is due for completion in 2011. A good telecommunication system is in place, giving immediate telephone, telex, facsimile and internet access to all parts of the world.

Activities

The Museum of Islamic Art

The Museum of Islamic Art is located on the Corniche which surrounds Doha Harbor and is approximately 15 minutes from Doha International Airport. It is close proximity to the ministry of foreign affair and ministry of finance and with walking distance to Souq Waqif , it is adjacent to the Dhow harbour of Doha port.

Souq Waqif

Souq Waqif is a magical place that entices visitors with its extraordinary cultural heritage. It is made up of narrow winding streets that reveal matchless architectural treasures created by countless generations of artists. This shopping destination is renowned for selling traditional garments, spices, handicrafts, and souvenirs. It is also home to tens of restaurants serving cuisines from all over the world, as well as Shisha lounges. Although this market dates back at least a hundred years, it has been recently restored back to its original glory. It is now considered one of the top tourist destinations within Doha.

The Pearl Island

The Pearl-Qatar, A Riviera-style man-made island developed in an exclusive environment in Doha, Qatar and the Middle East's most glamorous address, covering 400 hectares of reclaimed land, is Qatar's first international urban development venture.

Visit Ras Laffan City

Strategically located on the north shore of the Qatari Peninsula and at the centre of the Arabian Gulf, Ras Laffan Industrial City represents one of the world's most significant and accessible emergent industrial export locations. The ambitious vision of the State to exploit its vast natural gas resource led to the initiation of LNG projects: Qatargas and RasGas. Expansion of LNG facilities at Ras Laffan has been proceeding rapidly and is expected to reach 20.2 million tons per annum (mtpa) by year-end 2004. Further natural gas utilization plans led to the Dolphin project and to various Gas to Liquids (GTL) projects, which are currently under-way.

Sealine Beach Resort

Situated 55 km from the capital, the resort offers a large variety of rooms, villas and chalets, all with a sea view. The resort also has many sports and recreational activities and a number of restaurants, alongside with meeting and conference facilities.

The Zoo

The zoo lies 20 km from Doha on Salwa Road. It has a varied collection of animals, reptiles and birds as well as a small amusement park for children.

Al Bida Park

This park lies on Doha Corniche. It has grass areas, children rides, a popular market and restaurants. It opens around the clock and entrance is free of charge. There are other parks on different locations in the capital, besides Al Wakrah and Al Khor parks. Entrance is either free of charge or at nominal rates.

Al Jassassiya

Al Jassasiya is a range of rocky hills overlooking the northeastern coast of the country between the two villages of Al Huwailah and Fuwairit. They are famous for their numerous stone carvings and engravings, some of which date back to prehistoric times.

Al Maha Sanctuary

Almaha (oryx) farm has been established to protect this species of endangered desert deer. Almaha is the national symbol of the State of Qatar.

Qatar National Museum

Among the attractions in the city is Qatar National Museum on the eastern part of the Corniche. Displaying the geological history of Qatar as well as a collection of Islamic artifacts and relics, the museum has a lot to tell about the country's past amongst a maritime museum and a small lagoon with traditional boats (dhows) built from wood.

Al Khor Museum

It was an old police station, which has been renovated to become regional museum. It is an anthropology museum and displays also the archeological discoveries from Al-Khor area since the Neoletic age up to recent area.

Al Wakra Museum

The Department of Museums & Antiquities has restored one of the town's old buildings and converted it into Al Wakra museum. It displays marine life and natural history materials.

Weaponry Museum

The museum displays rare samples of swords, daggers and miscellaneous firearms and their accessories.

Ethnographic Museum

This building is the last remaining construction of its kind in Doha. It is a restored traditional Qatari house, found in the centre courtyard of a new souq-shopping complex. The museum looks at life before the oil boom and explains how an ordinary family would have lived. The house includes one of the Gulf's few remaining wind towers, a traditional form of air conditioning in the region.

Doha Fort

Fairly similar to the National Museum, Doha fort consists of some good displays of traditional crafts, including carving, gold smithing, rope-making and weaving.

Ishat Island

It is located south-east of the peninsula, its total area of about 12,5 square miles consisting of a group of three flat-topped islets and two detached rocks lying north-eastern of khor Al-Udaid. These islets are bordered with light colored cliffs.

Shra'o Island

Situated about 30 miles north-east Ishat Island and it rises to 36,5 feet and has a number of small hummocks. There is little fringing reef, a good sandy beach used by turtles for laying their eggs. Shra'o Island is beautiful and uninhabited but accessible from the coastline, a haven of thousands of sea birds and three hours away from Doha by speed boat.

Haloul Island

It is hilly, and rises to an elevation of 190 feet. Due to the existence of oil pipe-lines, it is not possible to anchor south-east of the island. Around Haloul exists excellent fishing ground. The seabed is made up of coral reef with a large variety of magnificent beautiful coral fish. The sea around Haloul offers entertainment to scuba divers for observing fantastic marine like and corals.

Al Safia Island

Considered a tourist resort. 15 minutes boat ride from Doha and has an area about 0,5 square miles.

Alia Island

Has an area of about 1,3 square miles and situated western side to Al-Saflia island.