From Wikitravel Shared

Qatar ("KUH-tur") is a peninsula jutting into the Persian Gulf, bordering Saudi Arabia. The island state of Bahrain lies to its northwest.

[edit] Cities

• Doha - capital

• Al-Khor - northern town with a population of some 36,000, close to Ras Laffan LNG (liquified natural gas) terminal

• Rayyan - second largest city with a population of some 275,000

[edit] Other destinations

Khor Al Udeid (Inland Sea) - a region of rolling dunes and high revving engines, many tourists and locals alike enjoy racing up and down the seemingly endless sand dunes. There are a variety of tourism companies that will give you a guided tour of the region, often complete with a traditional Arab meal and campfire.

[edit] History

Since the mid-1800s, Qatar transformed itself from a poor British protectorate noted mainly for pearling into an independent state with significant oil and natural gas revenues, which enable Qatar to have a per capita income not far below the leading industrial countries of Western Europe. Qatar is home to the Al Jazeera television station and is rapidly entering the modern world, including the staging of the 2006 Asian Games.

[edit] Economy

Oil accounts for more than 30% of GDP, roughly 80% of export earnings, and 58% of government revenues. Proved oil reserves of 3.7 billion barrels should ensure continued output at current levels for 23 years. Oil has given Qatar a per capita GDP comparable to that of the leading West European industrial countries. Qatar's proved reserves of natural gas exceed 7 trillion cubic meters, more than 5% of the world total, third largest in the world. Production and export of natural gas are becoming increasingly important. Long-term goals feature the development of offshore natural gas reserves. In 2000, Qatar posted its highest ever trade surplus of $7 billion, due mainly to high oil prices and increased natural gas exports, and managed to maintain the surplus in 2001.

[edit] Climate

Variable	Annual	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Temp mean	27.1ºC	16.9ºC	18.5ºC	22.1ºC	26.6ºC	31.9ºC	34.3ºC	35.6ºC	35.2ºC	32.8ºC	29.0ºC	23.9ºC	18.9ºC
Temp min	21.3ºC	12.1ºC	13.4ºC	16.7ºC	20.8ºC	25.3ºC	27.7ºC	29.4ºC	29.0ºC	26.4ºC	22.7ºC	18.4ºC	13.9ºC
Temp max	33ºC	21.9ºC	23.6ºC	27.6ºC	32.6ºC	38.5ºC	41.0ºC	41.9ºC	41.3ºC	39.3ºC	35.4ºC	29.5ºC	24.0ºC

[edit] Get in

Qatar issues a visa on arrival at Doha's airport to citizens of the UK, France, Italy, Germany, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Japan, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxemburg, Switzerland, Austria, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Portugal, Ireland, Greece, Finland, Spain, Monaco, The Vatican, Iceland, Andorra, San Marino, Liechtenstein, Brunei, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong and the USA. The price is QR 70.00 (US$ 25), payment by credit card is accepted, and grants a one-month stay.

For longer stays, visas must be arranged by having a sponsor. Unmarried women under the age of 35 will have a hard time in procuring a visa for a lengthy stay, as the country seems to fear that they will practice prostitution.

[edit] By plane

When going by plane to Qatar, you will most probably enter the country at Doha's airport. Local carrier Qatar Airways is building a growing worldwide network with flights from there.

[edit] By car

The only land route to Qatar is from/through Saudi Arabia, night travel by car is not recommended.And if you are travelling during the day, watch out for speeding cars and trucks. Wear your seat belt and try not to speed over 120 mph.

[edit] By bus

You can travel to Qatar by bus from/through Saudi Arabia, there are no fixed bus routes, most buses are old and not very comfortable. It is not recommended.

[edit] By boat

There are no specific boat routes, but there are commercial freight boats coming into Doha from all over the world, as well as small commercial boats coming in from Dubai and Iran.

[edit] Get around

There are three different modes of public transportation that you can use in Qatar: buses, taxis and limousines, all of which are owned by Mowasalat (Karwa) apart from some limousine companies.

The bus service began in October 2005. Ticket prices start from just Qr2.00. You can travel as far north as Al Shamal/Al Ruwais, as far west as Dukhan, and as far south as Mesaieed (Umm Said).

An alternative to taxis and buses would be to use a limousine service, which will send a car to your location (as will Karwa taxis if they are booked by telephone). Limousines are expensive, but they are the most comfortable form of transport.

Walking and using bicycles’ is usually not a good idea in the hotter months of the year, as the heat can get very intense and tiring.

[edit] Talk

Arabic is the official language, particularly the Gulf dialect. English is the most common second language. As Qatar has thousands of guest workers from India, Pakistan, The Philippines, Thailand and various other countries, a word or two of any languages spoken in these areas can be helpful. However, with such a mixed international population, English is the defacto language allowing the Qataris to communicate with the people who generally handle all of the menial jobs in their country, so it is widely spoken. If you can learn a few words of Arabic, your hosts and any other locals you may meet, will be very impressed.

[edit] Buy

The national currency is the Qatari riyal (QAR). The riyal is pegged to the dollar at the rate of QR 3.65 to US $1.

City Center is currently the largest mall in Qatar and has many stores to choose from. Other malls include Landmark (currently considered the best, has a Marks & Spencer store), Hyatt Plaza (becoming a lot better), The Mall (okay), and Villagio (owned by the same company that owns Landmark). All of these malls have a huge variety of stores.

Blue Salon has huge sales twice a year where you can pick up Armani, Valentino and Cerutti suits for half price. There are many things to buy here but be wary of cheap pearls as they may not be real. There are many good tailors in Qatar and it is a good place to have clothes made to measure and copied.

The souqs in downtown Doha also have a lot to offer, although the goods are usually of cheaper quality than those of the malls. Prices are usually negotiable, so practice your bargaining skills. Souq Waqif (Iranian Souk) is the most interesting of the souqs; it was recently renovated to look as it did 50 or 60 years ago. You can buy anything from a thobe (dish dash, traditional dress for men) to a pot large enough to cook a baby camel in!

[edit] Do

The country is surrounded by the sea so watersports are a must. Kitesurfing is increasingly popular for the westerners while the locals prefer driving jet-skis at high speed next to the beaches.If you like land more than the sea, feel free to go on one of the safari tours to the desert, try dune bashing with landcruisers,nissans etc.Visit the collection of widely scattered malls around Doha and enjoy yourself.

[edit] Eat

Qatar has seemingly endless options for food, much of it excellent. If you would like European cuisine in a fancy setting, visit a hotel like the Ramada or the Marriott, both of which also offer excellent sushi and the choice of having drinks with your meal (the only restaurants in town that can do this are in the major hotels), but at a steep price. Authentic and delicious Indian and Pakistani food is found throughout the city, ranging from family oriented places to very basic eateries catering to the Indian and Pakistani workers. You may attract some curious stares in the worker eateries, but the management will almost always be extremely welcoming, and the food is very inexpensive.

For excellent and truly authentic Thai cuisine, try either Thai Twin (near the Doha Petrol Station and the computer souqs) or Thai Snacks (on Marqab St.), and be sure to sample the delicious spicy papaya salad at either location, but be careful, if you ask them to make it spicy, expect for it to burn.

Middle Eastern cuisine is everywhere as well, and in many forms- kebabs, breads, hummus, the list goes on. It can be purchased on the cheap from a take-out (many of which look quite unimpressive, but serve awesome food) or from a fancier place, like the wonderful Layali (near Chili's in the 'Cholesterol Corner' area) that serves gourmet Lebanese food and has hookahs with flavored tobacco. Refined Persian cuisine is available for reasonable prices in the royally-appointed Ras Al-Nasa`a Restaurant on the Corniche (don't miss the cathedral-like rest rooms).

Don't be afraid to venture into the Souqs looking for a meal; it will be a unique experience in an authentic setting, and although some of the places you see may look rundown, that's just the area in general, and the food will be probably be quite good. If you are in a funny kind of mood, you can try a McArabia- McDonald's Middle Eastern sandwich available only in the region.

[edit] Drink

There is one liquor store, Qatar Distribution Centre, in Doha. To purchase things there, you must have a license that can only be obtained by having a written letter of permission from your employer. You can only get a license when you have obtained your residency permit and you will need to get a letter from your employer confirming your salary in addition to paying a deposit for QR1000. The selection is good and is like any alcohol selection of a large supermarket in the West. Prices are reasonable although not cheap. Alcoholic beverages are available in the restaurants and bars of the major hotels, although they are pricey. As far as non-alcoholic drinks go, be sure and hit some of the Indian and Middle Eastern restaurants and juice stalls. They whip some tasty and exotic fruit juice combinations that really hit the spot.

It is forbidden to bring alcohol in to the country as a tourist; at Doha airport customs xray bags and will confiscate any bottles of alcoholic drink. They will issue a receipt valid for 2 weeks to reclaim the alcohol on exit from the country.

[edit] Sleep

Hotel prices are on the rise in Qatar, and you can expect to pay as much as US$100 for an ordinary double room in a mid-range hotel. Budget accommodation does not seem to exist in Doha: even the only youth hostel listed for Qatar has closed down.

[edit] Learn

Education City is a new project in Doha funded by the Qatari Government though the Qatar Foundation. It is the home to Qatar Academy, a college prep school, as well as branch campuses of Texas A&M University (Engineering) [1], Weill Cornell Medical College (Medical) [2], Virginia Commonwealth University (Arts and Communication), Carnegie Mellon University (Business and Computer Science), and Georgetown University (School of Foreign Service) all located in Education City to the east of Doha in the Rayyan area.

The College of the North Atlantic also maintains a campus in Doha in the northern section of the city, near the local Qatar University.

[edit] Work

The work day starts quite early in Qatar. Do not be surprised by 7am meetings!

In the summer, many small stores and Arab businesses will be open from 8am-12pm and 4pm-8pm. During the "siesta", most people return home to escape the oppressive heat.

[edit] Stay safe

The emergency phone number for police, ambulance or fire department is 999.

Doha is a very safe city. The threat of terrorism is ever-looming, as it is in most of the Middle East. However, it doesn't seem to really affect the way people live for the most part, as it seems most Qataris are genuinely interested in keeping their country safe instead of letting it slide into mayhem and chaos to further political aims. Petty crime and the like are virtually nonexistent. Women might experience harassment, but it will likely be more annoying than threatening; such as having a man circle around the block whilst you walk down the street, or whisper at you in the store, but for the most part it will be men staring. An abaya, the long, black cloak and headscarf worn by local women, can be purchased at a variety of places in Doha and can be convenient at times but women are by no means required to wear them (although modest dress is requested and appropriate- no short skirts or shorts, nothing too revealing or tight).

Haze, dust storms, and sandstorms are common.

[edit] Stay healthy

Drink lots of bottled water! No matter how much you drink, you should drink more. Likewise, take proper precautions for the sun, including clothing that covers your skin and sunscreen.

[edit] Respect

Respect the Islamic beliefs of Qataris and Bedouins: Women shouldn't wear tube tops, hot pants, and the like unless they want to reinforce negative stereotypes they have about the west (and attract undesired company). Men shouldn't wear the traditional clothing, thobes, unless it's for a special occasion; otherwise, it's plain weird.

If you're dining with a Qatari, don't expose the bottoms of your feet to him. Don't eat with your left hand either, since Islamic tradition considers it is used solely for bathroom functions. Similarly, don't attempt to shake hands or hand a package with your left hand.

If your Qatari friend insists on buying you something - a meal or a gift - let him! Qataris are extremely hospitable, and typically there are no strings attached.

[edit] Newspapers

• Gulf Times newspaper
• Qatar Journal newspaper
• The Peninsula newspaper
• Qatar Tribune newspaper
• Al Watan arabic newspaper

[edit] Contact

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