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Welcome to the land of surprises and intrigue! Qatar has so much to experience that taking part in tours, safaris and excursion is virtually a must.
Not only is there much to see, but there is much to learn and understand as well.
A vivid combination of old and new greets the visitor, and half-day guided tours through the “Souqs” or markets provide information and cultural insights. |  |
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 | Business... |  |
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Oil and gas reserves have transformed Qatar from an impoverished outcrop on the Arabian Peninsula into one of the richest countries in the world.
The oil deposits located and exploited from the 1970s onwards were of unusually high quality and generated a substantial income for the country.
In addition, one of the world’s largest natural gas fields, known as the North Field, was discovered in Qatari waters in the late 1980s.
Measured by revenue, gas production has now outstripped oil and is set to remain Qatar’s principal source of income for the foreseeable future. |  |
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| Politics... | |
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Qatar is an emirate with a conventional hereditary system.
It is ruled by the Al Thani family whose presence in the peninsula dates from the eighteenth century.
The Al Thani are named after the doyen of the family Sheikh Thani bin Mohamed who is the father of Sheikh Mohamed bin Thani, the first ruler of the Qatar peninsula in the mid nineteenth century.
Al Thani are a branch of the Arab tribe of Beni Tameem.
The Emir is the head of state. In accordance with the modified provisional constitution, the Emir decrees laws on the recommendation of the Council of Ministers and after consultation with the Advisory Council.
The Council of Ministers, appointed by an Emiri decree, is the highest executive authority in the land. However, laws are not enacted until after Emiri consent. |  |
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| Sport... | |
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Qatar has targeted itself as one of the world's leading sports destinations and continues to expand existing infrastructure and build new facilities to accommodate this growing market niche.
With the announcement of the 15th Asian Olympic Games being hosted by Qatar in 2006, new sporting facilities are quickly being developed. |  | | |
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| Education... | |
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Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development is a private, chartered, nonprofit organization, founded in 1995 by His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani, Emir of Qatar.
Guided by the principle that a nation's greatest resource is the potential of its people, Qatar Foundation aims to develop that potential through a network of centers devoted to progressive education, research and community welfare |  |
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| Restaurants... | |
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Doha has a wide variety of eating places, which range between the ritzy and very expensive to the every day cheap eatery. These restaurants provide cuisines from all parts of the world. Most of the top-class restaurants are in hotels or clubs.
A large range of very good restaurants that suit every taste and budget are available at Al Sadd Street. Al Mirqab Street, parallel to Al Sadd Street offers a big range of Arabic and Asian meals at very competitive prices.
For western fast food lovers Doha provide a big selection especially at the Ramada junction of C-Ring Road. |  |
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| Hotels/Resorts... | |
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Huge Discount for "Price-Sensitive Traveler"
MARRIOTT DOHA HOTEL QATAR
INTERCONTINENTAL DOHA HOTEL QATAR
MOVENPICK HOTEL DOHA QATAR
RITZ-CARLTON DOHA HOTEL QATAR
SHERATON DOHA HOTEL & RESORT QATAR
SEALINE BEACH RESORT MESAIEED QATAR |  |
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| Entertainment... | |
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Entertainment in Qatar is expected to grow steadily in the coming years.
Quality entertainment and concerts are just becoming known to the country.
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical production, Cats, was staged in 2003, and the opera, Carmen, played during 2004. Both Shaggy and UB40 have performed in Qatar.
Doha also boasts a national opera and orchestra. |  |
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| Shopping... | |
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City Center
Phone: (+974) 4830582 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (+974) 4830582 end_of_the_skype_highlighting Fax: (+974) 4839991
Landmark Phone: (+974) 4875522 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (+974) 4875522 end_of_the_skype_highlighting Fax: (+974) 4875333
Royal Plaza Phone: (+974) 4694019 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (+974) 4694019 end_of_the_skype_highlighting Fax: (+974) 4680349
The Mall Phone: (+974) 4678888 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (+974) 4678888 end_of_the_skype_highlighting
The Center Phone: (+974) 4466111 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (+974) 4466111 end_of_the_skype_highlighting
Hyatt Plaza Phone: (+974) 4694848 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (+974) 4694848 end_of_the_skype_highlighting Fax: (+974) 4699454. |  |
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| Qatar e-Government... | |
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HH the Emir, Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani, of Qatar, with his wisdom, Insight and vision as a leader, with 21st century challenges has realized the great value of the technological age and how it can benefit the citizens and the economy of Qatar.
To realize his vision, the Emir has determined that Qatar becomes the information technology leader in the region.
To enable the Emir to turn his vision into reality and achieve his goals of making Qatar the IT leader in the region, the Emir issued a Decree on 7 October 2002, for the establishment of the e-Government Project Steering Committee. |   |
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| Life in Qatar... | |
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In their daily lives, Qataris wear traditional dress. For men this means a long, white shirt, thobe, crisp and welcoming in appearance, worn over white trousers.
A head covering, gutra, is secured with four black, tasseled cords which have been intricately braided.Women wear a long black flowing dress, abayah, and some women choose to wear a veil
The dresses are discretely interwoven with delicate threads and patterns, each one an individual creation.
The contrast created between the men’s white shirt and women’s black dress is breath-taking. It symbolizes the difference between men and women, while the long shirt and dress indicates the similarities
For special events and times of tradition, Qataris don their ceremonial clothing.
Decorated with elaborate embroidery in both gold and silver, this clothing has been the inspiration for many international fashion designers. |  |
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| About DOHA... | |
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If you are driving on a long stretch of road with the clear blue sea to your right and towering green palm trees to your left, it is clear that you are in the city of Doha.
Doha is the capital city of Qatar, the major commercial centre of the country, which holds the main port. Located on the East Coast of the Peninsula, Doha has the perfect blend of a cultural and contemporary lifestyle.
Hosting international conferences and seminars such as The Islamic Conference Summit, The World Trade Organisation Conference, The World Football Cup (Under 19's), The Athletics Grand Prix, The Tennis Open, The Squash Tournament, The Golf Masters Tournament in addition to many others, Doha is known to be a modern and exciting city.
Home to world class hotels and architecturally significant buildings, Doha welcomes tourists and business people from all over the globe. At night it is magical, with the illuminating lights reflecting on the calm waves of the sea and wooden dhows silently gliding through the glistening water.
The gently curved 7.5 kilometre Corniche is a paved pathway overlooking the sea, where joggers, rollerbladers and cyclists are seen daily.
In 2006, Doha will be bustling with energy to host an event so enormous that it will showcase the dazzling city as a sport haven of the Middle East. |  |
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| Attractions... | |
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The tourist attractions of Doha will keep you engrossed when you are not busy watching the various sports in Asian Games 2006. The beautiful capital city of Qatar has a quaint charm of its own.
Despite its modern outlook and high-rise structures, Doha is still drenched in tradition. This very blend of the old and new makes Doha a must-visit city.
There are quite a few interesting tourist attractions in Doha. The highlight of Doha sightseeing is the 7-km long Corniche Bay. The most picturesque part of the Arabian Gulf, Corniche houses the main port of Doha. To see ships sailing to and fro the harbor, with the escalating city skyline as the backdrop as an amazing sight.
The famous Al Bida Park is also located on this waterfront promenade. Housing various shops, food joints and sports enclosures, it is known to be the best picnic spot in Doha.
Another major attraction in Doha is the Ethnographic Museum, also known as the Wind Tower House. A rare structure in the Gulf region, the huge tower has open arches that provide ventilation. The museum often holds exhibitions depicting the evolution of Doha and Qatari life in general.
The former palace of Sheikh Abdullah Bin Qassim Al Thani is now home to the Qatar National Museum. Consisting of a number of national treasures, artifacts, furniture, jewelry and traditional dresses of Qatar, the museum has been a great source of recreation since 1901.
The Doha Fort is the place where you can witness traditional paintings and other artworks of Qatar. The Palm Tree Island is the most serene and heavenly tourist attraction in Doha. Full of sandy beaches, the region has rides, shops, restaurants and everything else needed for unlimited fun in Doha.
Some other popular tourist attractions in Doha are Entertainment City, Doha Zoo, Al-Rumaila Park and the Dahl El-Hamam Public Park. |  |
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| Historical Places ... | |
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Marroub Fort:
Is located on the west coast of Quatar and was built during the Abbasside period on the foundations of an older fort. It carries the inscription of Abbasside architectural style. Located along the northern side of the Fort, about 250 houses are grouped together so as to form an arch.
Al-Thughb Fort:
Is located in the northwestern part of Country and is about 110kms from Doha. The Fort is rectangular in shape with four towers, resembling the common design for desert forts. It was built during the 17th and 19th century period.
Al-Zubarah:
Is located 100kms west of Doha in the town of Al Zubara. Constructed during 1938, this fort-turned-museum is square shaped with circular towers in three corners, and a rectangular tower in the fourth. Made of thick huge walls, this fort also served as a coast-guard station until mid-1980s and was used by the military personnel.
Al-Rakiyat Fort:
The Fort was constructed during the 17th and 19th Centuries, is rectangular in shape with four towers in the corners.
Barzan Tower:
The tower, constructed during late 19th century, was originally built as watchtower and has a ‘T’ shaped architectural style, which is quite unique. It has three levels and an external staircase.
Umm Salal Mohammed Fort:
It is located about 20kms towards north of Doha, and is built during late nineteenth and twentieth centuries. This Fort is characterized by its thick walls, impressive façade containing various decorative and architectural elements.
Al-Wajbah Fort:
Al-Wajbah Fort was the place of a famous battle, and with its high towers and thick walls, constructed during 1893 AD, it is one of the oldest forts in the country.
Al-Jassasiya:
Al-Jassasiya comprises of rocky hills that overlook the north-east coast of Quatar, and contain stone inscriptions dated back to pre-historic times. It is renowned for its excellent beaches. Al-Jassasiya is a popular destination for week-end trips and excursions.
Al-Ghuwair Castle:
The Al-Ghuwair Castle was built during early 19th century, in a rectangular shape with thick walls, though is now in ruins. |  |
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| Main Cities... | |
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Doha:
A visitor who descends into Qatar, will be welcomed by the eye-catching view of the capital city, Doha. The landscaped, crescent-shaped corniche, the sandy desert backdrop and the sparkling blue waters of the Gulf, are the first glimpse of what awaits a tourist, who arrives for a vacation in the sun-kissed country. Doha is a place filled with desert escapades, water sports, shopping indulgence, modern sporting equipments, historical museums, fine-dining, luxurious attractions and other natural attractions.
Al Wakra:
Located in between Umm Said and Doha, is the town of Al Wakra. Though, originally a tiny pearling and fishing village, Al Wakra evolved itself into a small town with a population of not more than 30,000. The town has an Al Wakra museum in one of it’s old forts, that displays marine life and the history of the area. The town also has good art and architecture displays.
Umm Said:
Is the core of Qatar’s industry, situated 45kms south of Doha, on the east coast peninsula. It is both an oil-export and commercial port with refineries, as well as other industrial establishments producing natural gas liquids, steel, petrochemicals and fertilizers. Umm Said has fine beaches too.
Khor Al Udaid:
Located south of Doha, the sand dunes embrace the sea, surrounded by many sabkha deposits. The place can be reached only through four wheel drive cars, as the area is covered with sand and sabkha deposits.
Al Khor:
Located 57kms in the north east-coast of Doha, Al Khor is renowned for its harbour comprising fishing boats and small crafts. It is also popular for its beaches, historic towers and mosques.
Madinat Al-Shamal:
Is a new town situated in the north end of the peninsula, about 107 kms north of Doha. It functions as an administrative center for quite a few coastal villages.
Al Ruwais:
Located on the north of the peninsula, the town is a good example of Bedouin lifestyle that merges with today’s modern world.
Al Zubara:
Is located 100kms north-west of Doha, and is well-known for its old fort. This fort-turned museum was constructed during the year 1938, on the ruins of a neighbouring fort. The fort is square shaped with circular towers in three corners and rectangular tower in the fourth corner. The fort was used by the military until mid-1980s.
Dukhan:
Located on the west coast of the peninsula, is 84kms from Doha. It became popular when people discovered oil in the surrounding area. The town is well-known for its fine beaches. |  |
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| General Informatiom... | |
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Tourist Informatiom
Qatar has developed itself from being a poor pearl fishing country, to one among the richest Gulf states, due to the exploitation of oil and gas fields since 1940.
Majority of the country is covered by sand dunes and salt flats. The City of Doha is a rich mixture of traditional Arabic combined with modern architecture. Among those that are particularly interesting, are The Grand Mosque with numerous domes and the Abu Bakir al-Siddiq Mosque. The north has quite a few historic sites, such as Umm Salal Mohammed, which is a large village conquered by the ruins of 19th century fort.
Al-Khor is the second largest city located along the natural shallow harbour. The west coast consists of fine beaches at Umm Bab (The Palm Tree Beach), Salwah, Dukhan near the Saudi border. The South regions comprises beaches and sand dunes, and offers plenty of opportunities for pearl hunting, or to practice water-sports.
Tourist Visas began to be issued only during 1989, but, though a slow start, Qatar has already begun to reap the profits of its new openness. Visitors are attracted naturally to this land of glitzy new hotels, ancient rock carvings, towering sand dunes, ancient rock carvings and unique architecture.
The best time to visit Qatar:
Because of the fierce heat during summers, and sandstorms being common during winter and spring, the best time for a tourist to visit Quatar is during November to during late February to early March. During these months, the weather is pleasant and mild, with chilly evenings and the odd rainy day. Doha has plenty of air-conditioned facilities, and hence even the worst summer becomes tolerable.
Fast Facts about Qatar:
Full Name :
State of Qatar
Capital City :
Doha
Time Zone : GMT/UTC +3 ()
Languages :
Arabic is the official language, but English is also widely acknowledged. Urdu is also spoken.
Currency :
Qatari Riyal (QR)
Electricity :
Voltage is 240 AC at 50 cycles [As for electrical sockets, British Style Plug with one grounding blade and two flat blades are used. Even Indian/South African style plugs with two circular metal pins above a large circular grounding pin can be used.
Geography:
Qatar is an oil rich peninsular protruding into the Gulf between the UAE and Bahrain. There are hills located along the northwest, though the rest of the country comprises salt flats, sand dunes and scattered vegetation towards north.
Etiquette and Customs:
A tourist visiting Qatar, should be completely aware of the Muslim customs, religious laws. Women are expected to dress modestly. It should be noted that while it is acceptable to sit cross legged, showing the sole of the foot, or pointing it at a person would be considered as an insult here.
In business and social gatherings, one gets to sip the traditional Qatari coffee, served in tiny cups without handles, which is a welcome ritual for guests, and is served in order of seniority. Two cups are polite, however it is suggested not to limit to one or exceed three cups.
Hotels:
Quatar is well-served by world class hotels. There are plenty of three or four star hotels. Advance booking is strongly recommended. All hotel rates are subject to fifteen percent service charge.
Driving:
On arrival at Qatar, a tourist or a traveler, can drive in the country if he holds a valid driving license for seven days (including the day of arrival). People intending to remain in Qatar for more than six months will have to apply for a Qatari driving license or a temporary Qatari driving license. In case the visitor is a foreigner, and have already done an accident, he wil be deported back to home country, instead of a fine, as in other countries. Hence, opting for a taxi would o be best, rather than risk oneself with driving at a new place. |  |
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