Destination
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, Al-Ashat 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: 11,437km
Population: 1,625,723 ( till 28 February, 2009 ) According Qatar Statistics Authority (QSA)
Capital City: Doha city, capital of Qatar, on the east coast of the Qatar Peninsula, in the Arabian Gulf
About three-fifths of Qatar's population lives within the city's limits. Situated on a shallow bay
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 pleasant winters with little rain in winter. The strong northwest wind, which often brings dust storms, is known as the shamal
Major Towns : Doha, Al Wakrah, Al Khor, Dukhan, Al Shamal, Mesaieed, Ras Lafan and others.
Currency : Qatari riyal (QAR). Each Qatari riyal is divided into 100 dirhams. Notes in circulation: QAR1, QAR5, QAR10, QAR50, QAR100 and QAR500. QAR0.50 (fifty dirhams) and QAR0.25. Smaller Coins are also legal Tender but are rarely seen.
Independence: Qatar gained independence on 3rd September 1971.
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: National Day : 18 December
Eid Al-Fitr: At the 1st of Shawwal for four days.
Eid Al- Adha: starts at 9th of Zilhijjah for five days.
| Ascension of HH The Amir Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani | June 27, 2009 |
| *Beginning of Ramadan | August 21, 2009 |
| Independence Day | September 3, 2009 |
| *Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan) | September 20 - 23, 2009 |
| Hajj (Annual Pilgrimage to Mecca) | November 25 - 28, 2009 |
| *Eid al-Adha (Festival of Sacrifice) | November 27, 2009 |
| *Islamic New Year | December 18, 2009 |
| New Year's Day | January 1, 2010 |
| Ascension of HH The Amir Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani | June 27, 2010 |
| *Beginning of Ramadan | August 11, 2010 |
| Independence Day | September 3, 2010 |
| *Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan) | September 9 - 12, 2010 |
| Hajj (Annual Pilgrimage to Mecca) | November 14 - 17, 2010 |
| *Eid al-Adha (Festival of Sacrifice) | November 16, 2010 |
| *Islamic New Year | December 7, 2010 |
*The date for this holiday is subject to change.
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.
Meaning of the flag:
A-The white colour reflects the internationally recognized symbol of peace.
B-The maroon colour symbolizes the bloodshed during the several wars Qatar had undergone, particularly in the second half of the 19th century.
C-The nine-point serrated line indicates that Qatar is the 9th member of the "reconciled Emirates" of the Arabian Gulf in the wake of concluding the Qatari-British treaty in 1916. This information on design and colour of Qatar flag was mentioned in the Archives of the British Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1931.
Working 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.
Shopping Center: 10 am to 10 pm
Local Time: 3 hours + Greenwich Mean time
Electricity System
Voltage is 220 volts AC at 50 hertz; 110 volts AC in bathrooms. Adapters are available; please request through the Concierge.
Dialing Code
+974 (national).
