State of Qatar:
 

Location:
Qatar is a peninsula situated halfway along the West Coast of the Arabian Gulf. It has a number of islands, the most important of which are Halool, Shira'aw and others. Its topography consists of a rocky flat surface with some limestone outcrops in Dukhan area in the west and Fuwairit area in the north. The surface is full with characteristic depressions called Rawdat, particularly in the north and central plants.

Land Area:
The total land area of Qatar is approximately 11,521 square kilometers.

Population:
The population of Qatar amount to 743000 inhabitants (according to the initial results of the second stage of the 2004 population census) compared to 522000 inhabitants in the last census conducted in 1997. 83% of inhabitants reside in Doha and its main suburb Al-Rayyan.

Capital City:
Doha

Official Language:
Arabic is the official language in Qatar, and English is widely spoken.

Religion:
Islam is the official religion of the country, and the Shariah (Islamic Law) is the principal source of legislation in the country.

Climate:
Qatar has a moderate desert climate with long hot summers and short mild winters and little rain in winter.

Major Towns:
Doha, Al Wakrah, Al Khor, Dukhan, Al Shamal, Mesaieed, Ras Lafan and others.

Currency:
The official currency is the Qatari Riyal (QR), which is divided into 100 dirhams. The Exchange parity has been set at the fixed rate of US $ = 3.65QR's.

Independence:
Qatar gained independence on September 3rd 1971.

27 June 1995:
On the 27Th of June 1995 His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani assumed the rule of the State of Qatar supported by the ruling family and the Qatari people.

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS:
Independence Day: 3rd September.
Eid Al-Fitr: At the 1st of Shawwal for four days.
Eid Al- Adha: starts at 9th of Zilhijjah for five days.

National Flag:
The national flag is maroon colour with a broad vertical white stripe at the pole, the two colours being separated with a nine-point serrated line.
 

Work Hours:
Government offices: 7 am to 2 pm.
Private establishments: 8 am to 12 noon, and 4 pm to 8 pm.
Friday and Saturday are the weekend holidays.

Local Time:
3 hours + Greenwich Mean Time.

Electrical Current:
240 Volts + 6% with frequency 50 hertz.

Major Cities:

Doha:
The capital city, is situated on a calm bay halfway along the East Coast of the Qatar peninsula. It is inhabited by 83% of the population in both Doha and Rayan suburb. Doha is the commercial and cultural center of the country.

Al Wakrah:
It's a small town situated halfway between Doha and Mesaieed. It is the center for a booming commercial and fishing activities and has an old fishing port, which is still in use to date. The town is famous for its fine mosques and many houses reflecting the old Islamic architecture style. There is also a museum displaying among other things traditional Arabic style doors.

Al-Khor:
Lies north of Qatar, 57km north of Doha. Until the early 1940s of the past century the town used to be a thriving port and pearl fishing center. Despite that other trades have started to replace those trades, the town teems with relics that testify to the town's venerable history. Its fine mosques, its museum that houses valuable archeological pieces and acquisitions and its historical towers are some examples of those relics.

Mesaieed:
It's situated south east of the country. It is the center for heavy industry with a major seaport for oil explortation and a commercial seaport.

Madinat Al-Shamal:
It's a modern town functioning as an administrative center for a number of coastal villages north of the country.

Dukhan:
It was developed following the discovery of oil in the surrounding fields.

Shahaniya:
It's situated 60km west of Doha and has a purpose-built camel racetrack. It is famous for camel races.

Tourist Attractions:

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.
Tel. 4772722-Fax. 4772733

Al-Gharriyya Resort
This resort lies on the waterfront of al-Ghariyya area and comprises a number of deluxe and super deluxe villas, children playgrounds, a swimming pool and restaurants.

Tel: 4728888 / 4728000
Fax: 4728877

The Palm Tree Island
The Palm Tree Island is 10- minute boat ride off Doha Corniche. The Island has children and family amenities, a restaurant offering seafood and barbecue meals and a cafe serving snacks and refreshments. There is also a jetty for traditional Dhow boats close to Doha Sheraton Hotel on the Corniche waterfront. The Island is open daily from 9 am to 9:30 pm.
Tel. 4869151

Entertainment City (The Kingdom of Aladdin)
The Kingdom of Aladdin lies in the West Bay area. It has more than 18 play features to suit all age groups. It also has a rest house, an artificial lagoon, a theater and a cafeteria. It opens from 4 pm to 11 pm from Sunday through Friday. Mondays and Wednesdays are dedicated exclusively for ladies and children under 12.
Tel. 4831001

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 mini amusement park for children. The zoo opens from 2 pm to 7 pm and closes on Sundays.
Tel. 4682610


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.

Khor Al Udaid Beach
This beach lies on the southeastern most part of the country, 78 km from Doha. This beautiful beach is distinguished by its fine sand dunes that can be as high as 40 meters in some locations. Other fine beaches include Fuwairit, Dukhan and others.

Al Jassasiya
Al Jassasiya are 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.

Almaha Sanctuary
Among the tourist attractions is Almaha (oryx) farm, which has been established to protect this species of endangered desert deer. Almaha is the national symbol of the State of Qatar.
 

Major Museums & Forts 

MUSEUMS

Qatar National Museum
The museum lies on the eastern part of the Corniche. It displays the geological history of Qatar as well as a collection of Islamic artifacts and relics. There is also a maritime museum in which the fish wealth of Qatar is displayed, and a small lagoon where wooden traditional boats built in Qatar are moored.
Tel. 4442191

There are also a number of regional museums including:

Al Khor Museum
Al Khor museum lies in Al Khor town about 57 km north of Doha. It is a two-storey building. The ground floor is assigned for anthropological life, while the upper floor hall is set for the display of excavation discoveries in Al Khor area.
Tel. 4721866

Al Wakrah Museum
It lies in Al Wakrah town about 17 km from the capital and displays marine life and natural history materials.
Tel.4643201

Weaponry Museum
The museum displays rare samples of swords, daggers and miscellaneous firearms and their accessories. It lies in Al Lagta area in the suburbs of Doha.
Tel. 4867436

Ethnographic Museum
Situated on Grand Hamad Street, this building is the last remaining construction of its kind in Doha. It opens from Sunday through Tuesday from 9 am to 12 noon and from 3 to 6 pm and closes on Saturdays. On Fridays it is open from 3 to 6 only. Entrance is free of charge.

Major Forts

Al Zubara Fort
Al Zubara Fort lies 105km northwest of Doha. It is open for the public and the Entrance is free of charge.

Doha Fort (Al Koot)
It is one of the remaining military forts in Doha. It lies on Jassim Bin Mohammed Street and opens daily and the Entrance is free of charge.

Umm Salal Muhammad Fort
This fort lies in Umm Salal Mohammad area, 21 km from Doha. It is one of the residential forts that date back to the late 19th century.

Burzan Tower
Situated in Umm Salal Mohammed, the tower dates back to the late 19th century AD

For more information logon to:
www.qatartourism.gov.qa & www.e.gov.qa