Qatar Travel Guide

Qatar — Country and Tourist Information

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Country Facts

Location: Middle East, Gulf Coast.
Language: Arabic is the official language. English is widely spoken.
Area: 11,437 sq km (4,416 sq miles).
Time Zone: GMT + 3.
Electricity: 220-240 volts AC, 50Hz.
Population: 907,229 (CIA estimate 2007).
Population Density: 79 per sq km.
Capital City: Doha. Population: 339,847 (2004).
Government: Emirate since 1971. Gained independence from the UK in 1971.
Head of Government: Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem since 2007.
Head of State: Crown Prince Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani since 1995.
Religion: Islam.

Recent History

The popular Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani is responsible for the rapid modernization of the country since he ousted his father in 1995. Wide-ranging reforms have included permitting women to drive and to vote, and a freedom of the press, most notably expressed through Al-Jazeera Independent Satellite TV Channels.

Communications

Telephone

Country Code: +974. There are no area codes.

Mobile Telephone

Roaming agreements exist with most international mobile phone operators. Coverage is good.

Internet

There are plenty of Internet cafes in Doha.

Media

There has been no censorship of the media since 1995. Qatar television has been renowned worldwide since the launch of Al-Jazeera in 1996, together with Al-Jazeera English (a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week English language news channel launched in 2006), which is extremely popular in and beyond the Arab world.

Post

Airmail to Europe takes up to one week.Sun-Thurs 0700-2000, Sat 0800-1100 and 1700-1900.

Press

• English-language newspapers include the Gulf Times and The Peninsula.
• The main dailies are Al-'Arab, Ar-Raya and Ash-Sharq.

Radio

• Qatar Broadcasting Service (QBS) is state-run.
• The BBC World Service can be received on FM in Doha.

Public Holidays

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2011-December 2012 period.
2011
31 Aug Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan)
3 Sep Independence Day
6 Nov - 7 Nov Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice)
18 Dec National Day

2012
19 Aug Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan)
3 Sep Independence Day
25 Oct Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice)
18 Dec National Day
Muslim festivals are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the moon and the dates given here are approximations. During the lunar month of Ramadan that precedes Eid al-Fitr, Muslims fast during the day and feast at night and normal business patterns may be interrupted. Many restaurants are closed during the day and there may be restrictions on smoking and drinking. Some disruption may continue into Eid al-Fitr itself. Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha may last anything from two to 10 days, depending on the region.

Contact Information

Embassy of the State of Qatar in the UK

1 South Audley Street, Mayfair, London W1K 1HF, UK
Tel: (0207) 493 2200.
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0930-1600 (1000-1400 during Ramadan); 0930-1230 (visa section).