Overview    

Forget the 20th-century stereotype of a rich Arab Gulf state, of hastily thrown up tower blocks, chaotic streets and bafflingly tacky urban sculpture: Qatar - or at least the capital, Doha - has metamorphosed into a self-confident, elegant entrepot that gives the UAE a run for its money.

Occupying a flat peninsula jutting into the oil-rich waters of The Gulf, Qatar is one of the richest per capita countries in the world - a wealth exhibited in high-profile projects, such as the new Museum of Islamic Art, built to house the largest such collection  
in the world.

With 50% of Qatar’s population living in the capital, the country is a virtual city state.  But for those not content with jogging around Doha’s fine corniche, a string of beaches beckon for rest and recuperation, and the magnificent dunes of Khor al-Adaid help even up the odds between God and Mammon.

Geography
Qatar is an oil-rich peninsula jutting out into the Gulf between Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates. There are low hills in the northwest, but the rest of the country consists of sand dunes and salt flats, with scattered vegetation towards the north. The country’s most distinctive geographical feature is Khor al-Adaid, the inland sea surrounded by dunes near the Saudi Arabian border.
 
   
General Information

Area  
11,437 sq km (4,416 sq miles).
 
Population
907,229 (UN estimate 2003).
 
Population Density 
54 per sq km.
 
Capital  
Doha. Population: 286,000 (UN estimate 2003).
 
Government 
Emirate since 1971. Gained independence from the UK in 1971.
 
Language  
Arabic is the official language. Some English is spoken.
 
Religion  
Islam.
 
Time  
GMT + 3.

Climate
Summer (June to September) is very hot with low rainfall. Winter is cooler with occasional rainfall. Spring and autumn are warm and pleasant.

Required Clothing:   Lightweight cottons and linens are worn during summer months, with warm clothes for cooler evenings and during the winter. Rainwear is advisable during winter.
 
Social Conventions  
The visitor should be fully aware of Muslim religious laws and customs. Women should always dress modestly. It is also worth noting that, while it is acceptable to cross legs, showing the sole of the foot or unknowingly pointing it at a person is considered an insult. At business and social functions, the traditional Qatari coffee, in tiny handleless cups, will invariably be served. This is a ritual of welcome with strict rules: guests are served in order of seniority – a few drops at first, then, after three or four others have been served, the server returns to fill the first cup; always hold the cup in the right hand; two cups are polite, but never take only one or more than three.
 
Electricity  
220-240 volts AC, 50Hz.
 
Head of Government  
Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem since 2007.
 
Head of State  
Crown Prince Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani since 1995.

Passport/Visa's

 

Passports  
Passport valid for at least six months required by all nationals of countries referred to in the chart above. 
  
Visas  
 Required by all nationals of countries referred to in the chart above except the following:
(a) transit passengers whose tickets show they intend to continue their journey from the airport within eight hours. 

Visa Note  
 (a) Visitors on tourist visas must fly in using Qatar Airways. (b) All visitors require onward or return tickets; a hotel voucher and QAR5,000 in cash or its foreign currency equivalent; failing that an international credit card must be shown. Visa requirements are subject to change, and travellers are strongly advised to contact an embassy or consulate of Qatar for up-to-date information. (b) Nationals of countries referred to in the chart above can obtain tourist visas upon arrival at the airport in Doha for QAR55 for stays of up to 21 days, or business visas for QAR100 for stays of up to seven days. (c) Nationals of countries not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements (see Contact Addresses).

All children included in the same passport of applicant travelling to Qatar must pay the same fees.  
  
Types of Visa and Cost 
Prices vary according to nationality. The following prices are for British nationals: single-entry: £36; multiple-entry: £50 (six months), £71 (two years), £130 (five years) (depending on validity).  
  
Validity 
Single-entry visas permit stays of up to three months. Multiple-entry visas permits stays of up to six months, two years and five years.  
  
Applications to: 
Consulate (or consular section at embassy); see Contact Addresses for details. Nationals of countries where Qatar has no diplomatic representation should apply for visas through their hotel in Qatar, which will arrange for the visa to be collected on arrival at the airport. Those wishing to visit friends or relatives in Qatar should ask them to apply to the immigration authorities in Qatar on their behalf for a visa. For longer-period visas apply to the Immigration Department, Ministry of the Interior, PO Box 115, Doha (tel: 465 7802; website: www.e.gov.qa). There is now a facility to book all visas online through the Ministry of Interior's website.
  
Working Days Required 
One although it could take as long as three weeks depending on nationality. Applications should be made well in advance of the intended departure date.  


Money  
  
Currency  
Qatari Riyal (QAR) = 100 dirhams. Notes are in denominations of QAR500, 100, 50, 10, 5 and 1. Coins are in denominations of 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1 dirhams; however, only the 50 and 25 coins are in wide circulation.

Note:  The Qatari Riyal is tied to the US Dollar.  
  
Credit/Debit Cards and ATMs  
American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted. 
  
Traveller's Cheques  
Widely accepted. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller’s cheques in US Dollars or Pounds Sterling.   
  
Banking Hours  
Sat-Thurs 0730-1330. 


Entertainment  
  
Food and Drink  
 While the best food is generally found in hotels, Chinese, Indian, Persian, Thai  and Western cuisine is also available. All the major hotels have good public restaurants and most offer outside catering of high quality; waiters, crockery and cutlery will be provided on request. There are a reasonable number of places to eat in Doha, including snack bars serving fast foods. Restaurants are scarce outside the capital. 

Things to know:   Alcohol is prohibited and should not be consumed in public, though some international hotels may serve alcohol. 

National specialties:  
 • Traditional Levantine shawarma.
• Egyptian foul and taamiyeh. 

 Tipping:  A service charge is often added to bills in hotels and most restaurants, otherwise 10% is appropriate.   

Nightlife  
Public entertainment is rather limited. Doha has a cinema showing English-language films, and there is also the National Theatre. Live entertainment is infrequent, but some international artists do perform in Qatar.   

Shopping  
 There are several large modern malls, with cinemas, restaurants and other facilities as well as brand shops. The old souks remain popular for bargains. 

Shopping hours:  Generally Sat-Thurs 0800-1200 and 1600-1900 or later, with the malls open until 2100 or 2200. Some shops close on Friday.