ABOUT QATAR

Qatar is a peninsula situated halfway along the west coast of the Arabian Gulf. Since ancient times, Qatar's strategic location has earned it a reputation of being one of the foremost business centers in the Middle East. This unique thumb-shaped peninsula that juts out into the Arabian Gulf, has long been a busy trading route between the East and the West. Today, Qatar still lives up to this reputation as the Middle East's most promising commercial capital.

The state of Qatar is a sovereign independent state, which has been governed by the family of Al Thani since the 19th century. Qatar became independent on the 3rd of September 1971. On June 27th, 1995, the Emir, His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, assumed power.

Size
11.521 square km including offshore islands.

Population
Qatar's population is about 522,000.

Capital City
Doha is in the central part of the northern coast of the Qatari peninsula. It is a city where half of the country's population lives. In it is centered most of the commercial, financial and governmental activities.

Official Language
Arabic is the official language in Qatar, but English is widely spoken.

Religion
Islam is the official religion of the country, and the Shariah (Islamic law) is the principle source of legislation in the country.

Climate
Qatar has a moderate desert climate with long hot summers and short mild winters with little rain.

Major Towns
Doha, Al Wakrah, Al Khor, Dukhan, Al Shamal, Mesaieed and others.

Currency
The official currency is the Qatari Riyal (QR), which is divided into 100 dirhams. The change parity has been set at a fixed rate of US$1=QR 3.65

Work 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.