Introduction
Surrounded by the emerald green waters of the Arabian Gulf, Qatar is a land that invites travelers in. As a modern nation built on the foundations of a rich history and past Qatar has much to offer eager travelers in terms of sights and sounds, experiences and opportunities.
General Information
Location:
Qatar is a peninsula located halfway down the west coast of the Arabian Gulf. Its territory comprises a number of islands including Halul, Sheraouh & Al-Ashat.
Topographic Features:
The country’s terrain is flat and rocky with some low-rising limestone outcrops in cities such as Dukhan in the west and Jabal Fiwairit in the north. The land is characterized by a variety of geographical phenomena including many coves, inlets, depressions and surface rainwater-draining basins known as riyadh (the gardens), which are found mainly in the north and central part of the peninsula. These areas have the most fertile soil and are rich in vegetation.
Land Area:
The total land area of Qatar is approximately 11,521 square kilometers.
Capital City:
Doha
Official Language:
Arabic is the official language, and English is widely spoken.
Climate:
Qatar has a moderate desert climate with long hot summers and short mild winters and little rain in winter.
Currency:
The official currency is Qatari Riyal (QR), which is divided into 100 dirhams.
Local Time:
3 hours + Greenwich Mean Time.
Public Holidays:
National Day: 18th of December in each year.
ٍNational Sports Day: Second Tuesday of February in each year.
Eid Al-Fitr: At the 1st of Shawwal for four days.
Eid Al- Adha: starts at 9th of Zilhijjah for five days.
Electrical Current:
240 Volts + 6% with frequency 50 hertz.
Telephone Code:
International Code: 00974
Local code: There is no local code for telephone calls. The domestic and Mobile calls can be done with out using any code directly from the land phone or mobile
Major Towns:
Doha, Al Wakrah, Al Khor, Dukhan, Al Shamal, Mesaieed, Ras Lafan
Tourist Attractions
City Sights
Doha Corniche
This long waterfront promenade stretches across seven-kilometers, curving around the edges on Doha’s business district in West Bay, and flowing on and enveloping the well-known Museum of Islamic Art towards the South. The Corniche offers spectacular views of Doha’s skyline with dramatic high rise towers as well as the opportunity to ride Qatar’s traditional wooden dhow boats lining the Corniche. We manicured lawns and walkways provide truly relaxing, vehicle-free pedestrian space for visitors to enjoy, whether you stroll or want to jog while listening to the sound of the water lapping the land.
Katara
Katara is a magnificently built, charmingly interpreted celebration of the Middle East’s architectural heritage. As a cultural attraction Katara has several impressive theatres, galleries and performance venues that frequently stage world class entertainment acts all year long. From Classical Music to theatrical performances, from concerts to shows and exhibitions Katara has a unique ambience that travelers find enthralling. Added to its recreational attractions are a wide choice of dining options, including top class restaurants offering a variety of cuisines, and a spacious, well-maintained public beach with water sports.
Souk Waqif
Souk Waqif is a traditional open market that lies at the heart of the city, offering travelers an unforgettable experience, drawn straight out of a storybook that celebrates the past. Complete with bustling alleys the Souk provides a glance at traditional commerce, architecture and culture. Tiny shops with filled with treasures from curios, to fabrics, from jewelry to, handicrafts, from spices and seasonal delicacies to perfumes, bring out a dazzling array of Middle Eastern merchandise. The Souk’s streets are often filled with traditional music, art and cultural shows that add to its ambience. To make guests feel at home Souk Waqif also has an eclectic mix of great restaurants and cafes.
The Museum of Islamic Art
As a modern architectural masterpiece designed by world renown architect IM Pei the Museum of Islamic art is one of Qatar’s cultural icons. For art lovers the museum offers 14 centuries of art pieces contained in a truly unique environment. Unmatched in terms of quality and diversity the collections, the fine art and artifacts of the museum have been gathered from across the Islamic world, offering not only a glimpse to Qatar’s past but also the history of the entire Middle East and African region. Through the year the museum hosts special exhibitions.
Tourist Attractions
Out of Doha
Al Zubarah Fort
The north-west coast of Qatar has a must visit UNESCO World Heritage site. The Al Zubarah Fort is an amazing 60-hectare archaeological site and an incredible example of preservation. The Fort is an 18th–19th century settlement of a walled coastal town. The entire layout of the fort carries an urban fabric of a settlement dating to a formative period in the region, providing an important insight into urban life, spatial organization, and the social and economic history of the Gulf before the discovery of oil and gas in the 20th century.
Khor Al Adaid – Inland Sea
Khor Al Adaid is the Arabic term for an Inland Sea. With its fascinating name, the Inland Sea in Qatar, which is located 60 km from Doha is a true natural wonder of the land. The UNESCO recognized natural reserve is a large tidal embayment with a convoluted shoreline. The sea extends across 15 kilometers from north to south and up to 12 kilometers from east to west. Experts have confirmed that there is no comparable lagoonal system of this type known elsewhere in the world. The Inland sea has its own ecosystem, where the sea encroaches deep into the heart of the desert. Inaccessible by road, this tranquil expanse of water can only be reached by across the rolling dunes.
Sand Dunes
The sand dunes in Qatar offer spectacular views of the golden dessert sands by day and star-filled skies at night. With breath-taking colours of sunrises and sunsets, the dunes constantly change shape bringing out landscapes that are in transition. Qatar’s largest sand desert stands to the south-west of the capital, with its high dunes is a major attraction both for recreational safaris or camping. From Camel rides to Quad bikes or daredevil driving in 4X4 off road vehicles, the dessert sands are ready and waiting to be conquered by the curious and the brave.
Purple Island
Qatar’s Purple Island is home to mangroves, salt-water creeks, flamingos, small beaches, crabs, natural salt ponds, shells, fossils, limestone rock formations – giving travelers plenty to see and explore. The Island contains views of tidal fish traps, which represent traditional fishing methods. Located in the municipality of Al Khor on the northeast coast of Qatar, Purple Island accommodates the only archaeological site in the country attributable to the second millennium BC. The island is best known for being the site of operation of a Kassite-controlled purple dye industry in the second millennium.