About Qatar

In a world where economic optimism has waned with the arrival of the financial crisis in 2008, Qatar has been one of the few fortresses of stability for the world economy. Led by large hydrocarbon reserves and the reinvestment of this revenue in the country’s social and economic architecture, Qatar has become one of the best business centres in the world.

Qatar is one of the most dynamic economies in the Middle East.  It has the highest per capita income in the world and enjoys very high GDP growth which reached 13.3% in 2008. According to global business analysts Dun & Bradstreet, the country’s economic performance for 2009 should be equally resilient.

Qatar has undergone remarkable economic and social development over the last 20 years. With an attractive business environment, and a progressive national leadership, the country continues to attract immigrant workers who have contributed significantly to the fast pace of development seen in recent years.

It is becoming the proverbial Eden for many of the world’s greatest talents, who come here to work tax-free and give their families a standard of life better than that which they can find elsewhere or in their own countries, making for a multi-cultural environment with every social amenity imaginable. According to the General Secretariat for Development Planning, Qatar’s population reached 1.4 million in 2008.

Armed with big hearts and huge ambitions, Qataris have also established themselves internationally. With significant State investments in blue chip global listed equity and private investments in international financial and real estate markets, Qatar has established high-profile investments in places as interesting as the Chelsea Barracks, to those as prestigious as the top echelon of the German automotive sector.

Today, the State of Qatar is seeking to diversify its economy even further and the propagation of Qatar’s sporting legacy is one of its most important ambitions.  The country’s governing body for all sporting activities, the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC), is tasked with pursuing the vision to become a leading nation in bringing the world together through sport.

Having hosted numerous sporting events for over two decades, Qatar has become a major driver of sporting regulation and has helped accelerate the evolution of grassroots athlete development in Asia and the region. Since hosting the Asian Games in 2006, the country’s capital, Doha, has also consistently invested in developing its national athlete development program supported by the global sports training expertise of the Aspire Academy for Sports Excellence.

To read more about Aspire Click here

To download a copy of the Qatar Tourism Authority’s information guide Click here

Qatar is an independent sovereign state situated in the west coast of Arabian Gulf It has land and marine borders with Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and marine borders with Kingdom of Bahrain, United Arab Emirates & Islamic Republic of Iran.

Official Name: State of Qatar
Head of State: HH Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifah Al- Thani , the Emir

Head of Government: HH the Prime Minister.
Legislative Body: Al- Shurah (Advisory) Council
Law: Based on Shariah (Islamic Law), Civil and Shariah Courts
Demonym: Qatari(s)
Capital: Doha
Location: On the Eastern Coast of Arabian Peninsula
Area: 4,427 square miles (11,437 square km.)
Highest Point: Dukhan (321ft. / 98m)
Lowest Point: Sea Level
Population: 928,635 inhabitants (July 2008 est.)
Language: Arabic (official) and English
Religion: Islam
Government: Constitutional Emirate
Main Cities: Doha, Mesaieed, Al- Khor, Dukhan, Al- Ruwais, Ras Laffan, Al- Wakra and Al- Shamal
Currency: Qatari Riyal (Qr. 3.65 = $ 1)
National Flag Color: The national flag of the State of Qatar is maroon colour with a broad white Serrated band on the side of the hoist, forming a nine-point serrated line of both colors.

Work Hours:
Government Offices: 7am -2pm.( Friday & Saturday week end holiday)
Private Firms: 8am – 12 noon and 4pm – 8pm. (Friday week end holiday)
Banks: 7:30am – 1pm. (Friday & Saturday week end holiday)
Local Standard Time: GMT + 3 hours
Electricity: 220 – 240 volts, AC (50 Hz)

Economy:
• Main Minerals: Petroleum and Natural Gas
• Main Agricultural Products: Fruits & Vegetables
• Industries & Products: Oil production and distillation, Fertilizers, Petrochemicals, Cement, Iron & Steel.
• Main Exports: Petroleum Products, Iron and Steel, Fertilizers and Liquified Natural Gas, vegetables ,Fruits , chemicals , machines and Equipments

Qatar Geography
Qatar is a peninsula of 11,437 square kilometers extending 100 kilometers in length and 80 kilometers in width north into Arabian Gulf, from Arabian Peninsula. The country is mainly flat (highest point is 110m) consisting of desert land covered with sands and loose gravel. The soil consists largely of limestone deposits which were formed in various geological ages. The structure of the land is dominated by an arch in the north and south and by Dukhan in the west. Some of the notable features are the salt pans in the coastal areas and the high sand dunes in the southeast, which interrupt the southeast winds.
Arabian Gulf waters surround most of Qatar land. The coasts of Qatar extend 560 kilometers, while land borders with Saudi Arabia extend 60 kilometers only.

There are numerous natural shallow water harbors. The most important are Doha, Al – Wakra and Mesaieed.
Qatar climate is characterized by intense heat in summer and moderate temperature in winter, the short raining season comes in the form of high storms. Average temperature in winter is between 20°C – 30°C, while in summer it exceeds 40°C accompanied by humidity.

Qatar History
Excavations and discovered potteries in various sites indicate that civilization history in Qatar dates back to 2,500 BC. However the is a need for more studies to explain the reality of relation between Qatar Civilization and the civilization of ancient Delmon, in 5th century BC.

Herodotus, the ancient Greek historian, referred to the indigenous people dwelling on the sea shore of Qatar. Qatar has been famous by its ornaments especially the traditional gown «besht or abayah» In the modern age, Qatar attained its independence on 3 September 1971, as it was a British protectorate under a defense treaty with Britain since early 20th century .HH Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifah s.

Doha, the Capital of the State of Qatar
Doha city is located on the eastern coast of Qatar. It is the capital and the general important commercial center of the country. It is populated by 70 % of the total inhabitants of the country. The rest are residing in Mesaieed industrial area, Dukhan in oil fields area in the west, Al- Wakra city on the eastern coast in the south and al- Khor city north of Doha.
Doha city is the capital which combines progress with tradition. Previously, it was just a combination of fishing huts but now it is made up of modern buildings. Nearly, everyday one or two residential buildings are built. Presently, building activity is continuous. With the building the new hotels, along with its improved infrastructure, Doha is qualified to host major international sport events.

Historic Sites in the State of Qatar

Qatar National Museum
It is situated on the eastern side of Doha Cornish. It displays in a special hall, the geologic history of Qatar, in addition to a collection of Islamic relics and masterworks. It contains an Aquarium, in which Qatar ’s fish wealth is displayed and a small lake, in which traditional wooden boats made in Qatar are displayed.
It opens daily, except Saturday, from 9am to 12 noon & from 4pm to 7pm. Tel: (+974) 4442191

Museum of Islamic Arts
It is situated on Doha Cornish and contains a collection of Islamic art masterworks made from pottery, metal, jewelry, wood and glass. It has a library, a hall for activities and an educational wing. This museum will be inaugurated in Nov. 2008.

Al – Khor Museum
It is in Al – Khor City 57 kilometers north of Doha. It occupies a two storey building. The ground hall reserved for anthropological life. The upper hall is alloted for excavations discoveries at Al- Khor site.
Tel: (+974) 4721866

Al- Wakra Museum
It is in Al – Wakra City 17 kilometers south of Doha. Its displays relate to marine life and natural history.
Tel: (+974) 4643201

Arms Museum
It is in Al–Lqtah quarter in one of Doha’s
suburbs. It displays a unique collection of swords, daggers, rifles, and their accessories.
Tel: (+974) 4867436

Museums are open to visitors from 9am to12 noon and from 3pm to 6pm

Folk Traditions House
It is the only example of its kind in Doha city. It is located in Grand Hamad Street. It opens Sunday to Tuesday from 9am to 12 noon and from 3pm to 6pm. On Friday it opens from 3pm to 6pm. It is closed on Saturday.

Entry to the Folk Traditions House is free of charge.

The Most Important Forts

Al – Zubara Fort
It is in Al –Zubara city, about 105 kilometers northwest of Doha city. It is open to the public daily, except Friday and Saturday. Entry is free of charge.

Doha Fort (Al- Koot)
It is one of the rare remaining military forts in Doha city. It is situated in Jassem Bin Mohammad Street.
Entry to the fort is free of charge.

Al – Wajbah Fort
It was built in late 19th century, during the reign of the late Sheikh Abdullah Bin Jassem Al – Thani. From time to time it was dwelled by Sheikh Hamad Bin Abdullah Al- Thyani. It is situated 15 kilometers south of Doha city. The importance of this fort is due to the famous battle, in which people of Qatar defeated the Ottoman force in 1893. The fort is distinguished by its four towers and grand upper rooms. It was rebuilt in its original specifications.

Umm Salal Mohammad Fort
It is in Umm Salal Mohammad area 21 kilometers north of Doha city. This fort is one of the residential buildings and was built in late 19th century.

Barzan Tower
It is in Umm Salal Mohammad and its building date goes back to late 19th century.

Qatari Cities

Al- Khor city
It is situated in north Qatar about 35 kilometers from the capital. It is on the eastern coast of the Qatari peninsula. Nearly half of the Qatari population lives in this city. It is the center of most commercial, financial and governmental activities.
Al – Khor is distinguished by its beautiful mosques and its museums which contain valuable relics and collections. It has become more important after the building of Rass Laffan Industrial city, in order to exploit Al – Shamal Natural Gas field.

Al –Wakra
It is situated between Doha and Mesaieed. Currently, it is a flourishing commercial center and its old harbor is still in use. The city is famous by its beautiful mosques and houses which are built in the old Islamic architectural style. There is a museum in the city and its halls display wide traditional; Arab gates and other relic pieces.

Dukhan
It is a beautiful city in which oil fields are located. It is 84 kilometers west of Doha.