The State of Qatar is located in the middle of the western coast of the Arabian Gulf, east of the Arabian Peninsula, between latitudes (27-24 and 10-26 degrees north) and longitudes (45-50 and 40-51 degrees east).The State of Qatar is a peninsula that extends northward and covers an area of 11,521 square kilometers.
The State of Qatar consists generally of flat rocky surfaces. However, some hills and sand dunes which reach an altitude of 40 meters above sea level can be found in the areas of Dukhan and Jebel Fuwairit in the western and the northern parts of the country.
The surface of Qatar includes a number of geographical features to the west coast of the Arabian Gulf . Mainly found in the north and central parts of the State, such phenomenon include coves and inlets together with depressions and surface rainwater-draining basins known as Al-Riyadh. The northern and central regions of the country are considered the most suitable areas for agricultural enterprises because of the fertile land and the natural and seasonal vegetation.
The State of Qatar has a desert climate consisting of a hot summer and relatively warm winter. Summer temperatures range between 25 and 46 degrees centigrade. Rainfall in the winter is minimal and rarely exceeds 75.2mm per year.
The people of Qatar are the descendents of ancient Arabian tribes which migrated from remote areas at different times starting from the 7th century until 19th century AD.
The current population of Qatar is estimated at about 743,000 people with an expected annual increase of 3.5% and approximately 83% of them live in the capital city Doha and its suburb Al Rayan.
Islam is the official religion of Qatar . The official language of the country is Arabic but English is also widely used.
Swearing by God who erected the sky
Swearing by God who spread the light
Qatar will always be free
Sublimed by the souls of the sincere
Proceed thou on the manners of the ascendants
And advance on the Prophet's guidance
In my heart,
Qatar is an epic of glory and dignity
Qatar is the land of the early men
Who protect us at time of distress,
Doves they can be in times of peace,
Warriors they are in times of sacrifice.
The new Anthem for the State of Qatar was adopted on December 7th 1996, upon the accession to the throne of H.H. the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.
The first part of the Anthem starts with an oath and urges citizens of Qatar to remain committed to tread the path of their forefathers who were honorable, respectable, knowledgeable, religious and empowered by wisdom and vision. They are also urged to follow the guidance of the prophets and their preaching about righteousness, good deeds and beauty.
In the second and final part, the anthem affirms that the Qatari men of today are the defenders of its land and dignity, that they are the descendants of the ancestors who defended their country in the past.
The anthem closes by reaffirming that Qatar will remain free, dignified, glorious and noble.
The national flag of the State of Qatar is a vertically divided maroon and white flag with a 9 point serrated line where the two colors meet.
The Al Thani family's presence in the Qatar peninsular dates from the eighteenth century when they arrived from the Gerbin oasis in the south of Nejd .
The family is named after Sheikh Thani bin Mohamed, the father of Sheikh Mohamed bin Al Thani who was first to rule the peninsula in the middle of the nineteenth century. The Al Thani family is a branch of the Arab tribe of Beni Tameem who descend from Mudhar bin Nizar.
• Sheikh Mohamed bin Thani
(1850 - 1878)
• Sheikh Jassim bin Mohamed Al Thani
(1878 - 1913)
• Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim Al Thani
(1913 - 1940)
• Sheikh Hamad bin Abdullah Al Thani
(1940 - 1948)
• Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim Al Thani *
(1948 - 1949)
• Sheikh Ali bin Abdullah Al Thani
(1949 - 1960)
• Sheikh Ahmed bin Ali Al Thani
(1960 - 1972)
• Sheikh Khalifah bin Hamad Al Thani
(1972 - 995)
• Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifah Al Thani
(1995 - present)
* Note: Although Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim Al Thani sidestepped in favor of his son, Hamad bin Abdulla, he became Emir again in 1948 after his son died, and continued until his death in 1949.
Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifah Al Thani came to power in Qatar on the 27th of June 1995 after a pledge of allegiance and support by the ruling Al Thani family and the noble people of Qatar .
Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani became the new Emir of the State of Qatar on June 27th 1995, continuing the rule of the Al Thani's which had begun nearly two centuries earlier.
Sheikh Hamad was born in Doha in 1952 where he attended primary and secondary schools. He graduated in July 1971 from the British Royal Military College , Sandhurst . He then joined the Qatari Armed Forces and went through several military ranks until he was promoted to the rank of Major-General and was appointed Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces. He oversaw an extensive program to modernize Qatar 's military, increasing manpower, creating new units, updating weaponry and improving training.
His Highness the Emir, himself a keen sportsman and accomplished diver, is the sponsor of civilian sports in Qatar . He has given a lot of support to the youth and sports sector out of his belief in the significance of the role played by this vital sector in the process of building and developing a prosperous society.
His Highness plays a very important role in putting forward and implementing many successful policies which have resulted in cooperation and friendly relations with most countries of the world. He has sponsored many conferences on a variety of subjects, taken part in numerous Arab and Gulf conferences and has paid visits to many countries.
He continues to work hard to develop the countries wealth and to achieve welfare and prosperity for the Qatari people. Throughout his relatively short term of office, the country has achieved a number of goals in the development of political, economic, social and cultural standards which enable the State of Qatar to proceed with confidence in their shared future.
Doha is the capital city and is located in the middle of the eastern coast of the Qatar Peninsula . Doha constitutes an important cultural and commercial center and includes a large commercial sea port and a modern international airport connecting it with all the destinations of the world. More than half of Qatar 's population live in Doha . The focus of the semi circular shaped city is undoubtedly the Corniche, a 7 km costal path along which many of the key buildings are located, including the Emiri Diwan ( Royal Palace ), several ministries and three of the main hotels.
Mesaieed Industrial City is about 40 km south of Doha and was established in 1996. MIC contains a varied base of industries including crude oil, hydrocarbon products, petrochemicals, iron and steel as well as light and support industries. Mesaieed Port serves the import and export needs of various products 24 hours a day.
Ras Laffan is the most recent industrial city in Qatar . It is approximately 80 km north of Doha and covers an area of 106 square km. About 6500 officials and workers are employed there, making it one of the largest industrial cities in the world.
Al Khor is a small costal town 57 km north of Doha . It is best known as a fishing town and for its ancient mosques and wind towers. It also has a regional museum which exhibits the antique and historical artifacts of Al Khor.
Al Wakrah is a small town located halfway between Doha and Mesaieed. It has an old fishing port which is still in use today and is famous for its fine mosques and many houses which reflect the old Islamic architectural style. There is also a museum displaying among other things traditional Arabic style doors.
Dukhan is located on the western coast of the State of Qatar. It has gained special attention since the discovery of oil in the surrounding fields. The city is characterized by its fascinating seashore. The city is about 84 km away from Doha .
Madinat Al Shamal is located on the coast in the far west of the country and functions as an administrative center for a number of costal villages.
Al Zubarah is situated 100 km west of Doha . It is an important archeological site famous for its old fort. This fort turned museum was constructed in 1938 on the ruins of a neighboring fort.
The first signs of human habitation in the Qatar peninsula date from 4000 BC. Archaeological expeditions from Denmark (1965), Britain (1973) and France (1976) found rock carvings and groups of pottery that indicate a human presence at that time. Some historical texts claim that the first inhabitants of Qatar were the ancient Canaanites, a people well known for their trade and navigation skills.
The strategic location of Qatar in the Arabian Peninsula was one of the main reasons for its commercial prosperity. The seasonal migration of Arab tribes caused many fishing villages like Al Bida- Al Khor, Al Wakra and Al Zubarah to appear and to flourish by encouraging pearl trading.
According to historical documents, Qatar became renowned for the skill of its people in weaving and cloth making as well as for the quality of its horses and camels. Some historians considered it to be part of the region known as Bahrain , which stretched from Basra in Iraq to Oman . Qatar thrived in the Abbasid period and had excellent relations with the Caliphs in Baghdad . Abbasid artifacts have been found in Marroub Fort in western Qatar .
In the 7th Century A.D., as the new religion of Islam spread out across the Arabian Gulf, Qatar came under the rule of the Islamic dynasties of the Umayyads based in Damascus and the Abbasids from Baghdad.
Qatar had a strong presence in Arab and Islamic arts and culture, and poets often referred to the country in their compositions.
Arab historians and observers also attribute special importance to the poet and knight of Qatar , Qatari bin Al Fuj'a.
Arab and Islamic history resources mention the sailing skills of the Qatari people and their role in equipping the first navy for the Islamic Army, under the command of Abi Alaa Al Hadrami. The Qataris were also renowned spear-makers.
The Arab geographer, Yaqout Al Hamawi, in his work “Mojam Al Buldan” mentions the flair Qataris had for tailoring garments and dresses. Clothing made in Qatar was very popular and it has been mentioned that the prophet Mohammed (Peace Be Upon Him) and Aisha, (wife of Mohammed and known as ‘Mother of Faithful Believers'), both dressed in Qatari garments.
During the Abbasid era, in the 8th Century Hijri (14th Century A.D.), Qatar witnessed a period of economic prosperity and it was able to provide the Caliphs (or Khalifah) in Baghdad with considerable wealth. This is mentioned in documents originating from Marroub Fort, which itself displays a typical Abbasid architectural style.
In the 10th Century Hijri (16th Century A.D.), the Qataris and Turkish entered into alliance to successfully expel the Portuguese. For four centuries Qatar , like other areas in the Gulf, was under Ottoman influence. This remained the case until 1871. However, Ottoman sovereignty in the area was largely symbolic and the real power remained in the hands of the chiefs and princes of local Arab tribes.
In 1893 a famous battle took place at Al Wajbah Fort, in which the Qatari people, led by the then ruler Sheikh Qassim bin Mohammed Al Thani, defeated the Ottoman force.
Until the early 20th Century, Qatar maintained relations with the Islamic Khalifah state and acknowledged its nominal sovereignty over it, despite the fact that the Ottoman influence in the Gulf and Arabian Peninsula was on the wane. In 1867 the seeds of independence were sown after Britain signed a treaty with Qatar , under the leadership of Sheikh Mohammed Bin Thani, which no longer regarded the territory as a dependency of neighboring Bahrain .
Britain subsequently signed another treaty with Qatar in 1916, which was attested on 23rd March 1918 after Sheikh Abdullah Bin Jassim Al Thani signed the translated version. Under the treaty, Britain controlled Qatar 's external affairs in return for guaranteeing its protection.
When competition for oil concessions in the region intensified, Britain made more specific promises of protection. In 1935 the previous treaty was amended and ‘suspended provisions' in the 1916 treaty pertaining to British political representation in Qatar were revoked. A post office, airport and other installations were established.
Oil exploration took place over a 14 year period from 1935 – 1949. Although oil was first discovered in Dukhan in 1939, further exploration was halted for 4 years (1942 – 1946) due to the outbreak of World War II. Oil was finally exported in 1949, when the first tanker set sail with Qatari oil destined for international markets in December that year.
Before the discovery of oil the people of Qatar were subjected to a decade of harsh economic conditions (1939 – 1949). In addition to the adverse effects of World War II , Qatar also suffered from a decline in the diving and pearl markets. Food and basic commodities were both expensive and scarce.
Since the 1960's Qatar has contributed to the international arena, becoming a member of both UNESCO & WHO and, in 1971, Qatar became an independent state.
Following the British decision to withdraw from the region in 1968, a decree was issued in 1969 (Law No. 11) concerning the establishment of a foreign affairs department. This subsequently became the core of the current Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Qatar gained independence on September 3rd 1971.
On June 27th, 1995, H.H. the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani came to power in the country.
Free health care is available to all Qatari nationals; expatriates are charged a nominal fee. Health care services are comprehensive and include preventative treatment and rehabilitation. There are modern medical centers in Doha , Mesaieed and Dukhan which provide efficient primary health care.
The Primary Health Services Department of Hamad Medical Corporation currently oversees 3 hospitals - The Hamad General Hospital, The Rumaila Hospital and The Women's Hospital - as well as 21 primary health care centers around the country.
Qatar hosts numerous health institutions and private clinics that include 23 establishments and 171 medical and dental clinics and two policlinics.
Government working hours are from 7:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Private companies are open from 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon and from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Friday and Saturday are the official weekly holidays.
• National Independence Day: 3rd September
• Eid al-Fitr is the day of celebration that marks the end of Ramadan. Officially the celebration lasts for 3 days.
• Aid al-Adha, or the Feast of Sacrifice, takes place on the 10th day of the month of Zul Hijih, during the traditional time of pilgrimage to Mecca . Officially the celebration lasts for 3 days.
GMT + 3 hours
220-240 volts with frequency of 50 Hertz
Land: Through the two border points at Abu Samra and Sauda Nathil.
Air: Via Doha International Airport .
Sea: Through Doha and Mesaiseed ports.
It is worth mentioning that Customs authorities may impose taxes on some goods at border checkpoints.
The currency issued by Qatar Central Bank is the Qatari Riyal (QR) which is equivalent to 100 Qatari dirhams (Dhs).
Each US dollar is equivalent to 3.65 Qatari riyals
Riyal denominations are as follows:
1 riyal, 5 riyals, 10 riyals, 50 riyals, 100 riyals, 500 riyals.
Dirham denominations are: 25 dirhams and 50 dirhams.
Foreign currencies can be exchanged at all banks, at Doha International Airport and at a number of Bureau de Changes in the country.
The Central Post Office, situated on Doha 's Corniche, provides a comprehensive postal service. There also are several post office branches in Doha and the surrounding suburbs.
The postal stamp fee for ordinary letters is as follows:
• Dhs 25 inside Qatar .
• Dhs 75 for GCC countries.
• Dhs 100 (QR1) for other Arab countries.
• Dhs 200 (QR2) for European countries.
• Dhs 200 QR2) for East Asian countries, America and Australia
Letters sent registered post are subject to an additional fee.
Entering the State of Qatar requires obtaining an entry visa prior to entry. The Summit National Organizing Committee shall provide entry visas to the States of Qatar through Qatar 's Embassies abroad or via www.e-gov.qa or by issuing them at the Doha International Airport or via Qatar Airways. Participating delegations are required to complete the attached visa application form and attach a copy of the passports.
For further information, please refer to the website of the Ministry of Interior: http://www.moi.gov.qa
999 Police, Ambulance and Fire Department
180 Telephone Directory Information
15 International Calls
4325333 Mobile Telephone Service
465666 Doha International Airport Services
4890333 Director General of Passports for Exit Points & Expatriate Affairs
4894444 General Corporation of Radio & TV Broadcasts
4334277 Department of Ceremonies (Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
4334446 Department of Information & Research (Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
4449666 Qatar Airways
4847777 Foreign Information Agency
4455444 Gulf Air
4442191 Qatar National Museum
4867436 Weapons Museum
4325333 Hala Palace Services
4622999 Doha Airport Information
4464000 Post Office
4622105 Airport Passports Department
4433998 Pisan Plastic Arts Hall
4435348 Al Bidaa Plastic Arts Hall
4410207 Qatar National Association for Plastic Arts
4656417 Urgent Visas Office
4322725 Qatar News Agency
4621751 Visa Office
4448720 Public Relations Department (Ministry of Interior)
4394444 Hamad General Hospital
4621132 Qatar Chamber of Commerce & Industry
4411555 Tourism General Authority
4442191 Qatar National Museum
4466555 Al Raya (Arabic newspaper)
4466555 Gulf Times (English newspaper)
4662444 Al Sharq (Arabic newspaper)
4663946 The Peninsula (English newspaper)
4652244 Al Watan (Arabic newspaper)
4322844 Al Saqer (Arabic newspaper)
Gazira Tourist Limousine 4322800
Doha Limousine 4322772
Al Watan Limousine 4322772
Mustafawi Limousine 4671007
AVIS 4447766
BUDGET 4419500
HERTZ 4622891
EURO CAR 4438404
The Transport Company (Mowasalat) operates a fleet of turquoise-colored “Karwa” taxies within Doha . Tel: 4588888
Inside Doha (day) Dhs. 10 per 200 meters
Inside Doha (evening) Dhs. 15 per 200 meters
Outside Doha (day) Dhs. 15 per 200 meters
Outside Doha (evening) Dhs. 30 per 200 meters
Waiting during the day Dhs. 10 per minute
Waiting during the evening Dhs. 20 per minute
The evening tariff is applicable from 9.00 p.m. - 5.00 a .m.