General information about Qatar

Ø     People .

Archaeological excavations indicate that Qatar was inhabited as early as the 4the century Evidence of early habitation in the 4th Century BC in the area, which is now Qatar, is demonstrated in numerous artifacts Most Qatar population belongs to Arabic races emigrating from Arabia peninsula during 18th centuries. This immigration extended to 19^th century .

With Qatar becoming center for pearling in the mid-19the century, Sheikh Mohammad Bin Thani bin Mohammad, the founder of Al Thani ruling family established himself as the first ruler of the country in his own right after moving to Doha and making it his capital. In ( 1878 – 1850 )  Sheikh Mohammed signed a milestone peace treaty with Britain. The treaty effectively marked the end of interference on mainland Qatar by the country’s neighbors, and the confirmation of Sheikh Mohammad as the internationally recognized ruler of his country .

Courageous, tenacious and wise, Sheikh Qasim bin Mohammed Al Thani, Supported by the ruling family, the people of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa took power on 27 June 1995 Since then he has committed himself to bringing in political reform and supporting democracy

Ø     Population

The population of Qatar amounts 600.000 peope most of them live in Doah the capital of Qatar. Islam is the major region in Qatar and Islamic law is the main source of jurisdiction, and The Arabic is the formal language of Qatar

Ø     Landscape

Middle East, peninsula bordering the Persian Gulf and Saudi Arabia with area11, 437KM. Qatar is generally flat and rocky, but in the southeast, sand dunes rise to about 40 meters above sea level. Salt flats are common in the coastal areas. The peninsula lies in the path of strong prevailing southeasterly winds and many of its features have been formed by wind erosion.

Ø     Cities 

§  Doha :

Doha, capital of Qatar, the seat of government and the main commercial and financial institutions, is situated halfway along the east coast of the Qatar peninsula.

Doha has a large commercial seaport and an international airport which link the Qatar's population live in Doha to the rest of the world. .  Rayan   and Khalifa city are the most districts of Doah city.

§  Mesaieed :

Mesaieed, the major industrial city for heavy industries production in the county .It has major port to export oil and another commercial port 

§  Ras Laffan :

The second largest industrial center in the country. Ras Laffan is the purpose-built industrial harbor for gas exportation and gas liquefaction

§  . Al-Khor :

It is a coastal town to the north of Doha. It is famous for its Al khor's antique tower fine beaches, mosques and old tower. It has a local museum that houses its valuable historical artifacts

§  Dukhan :

it has come a long way following the discovery of oil in the surrounding fields

§  Al-Wakrah :

This booming town  which  contains several traditional houses and mosques Al-Wakrah has also a harbor for fishing boats.

§  Al shamal city :

It was built to be  an administrative center of cost villages in the north .

§  Al-Zubarah :

Al-Zubara. Located to the north of Doha, it houses the historical Al-Zubara fort.

§  Economy

The  Qatari economy is based on Petroleum  which was discovered in Qatar for the first time in 1939 and it exported the first shipment in1949 the discovery of natural gas in huge quantities. Qatar ranks third among countries with gas reserves .the early production of  shamal gas  field began in 1997 . its reserves are more than 500 trillion cubic meter . The  state has sketched  out a certain plans to make best use  of this field to have  revenues via liquefies gas exportation or through pipelines , also to  establish  new industrial projects in Ral Lafaarea, 2^nd  industrial zone in Qatar .

§  Investment opportunities : 

The state of Qatar has made it a priority to maximize revenue from its natural resources through modernization of industry adopting free maker policy to enhance foreign investments and private sectors. Qatar  has exerted  s lot of  efforts to creates more industrial investment  opportunities  and provides different  incentive to attract foreign  investment to participate in the development  plans .It also has  established Doha securities s Market in June 1997 and  Qatar Bank of industrial development in the  same year .

The major sector of transformational and drilling industry is a financing resource   for investment. The government pays due attention and care to support and encourage direct investment in exploration industries and basic transformational industries using intensive capital and energy. The most important heavy industries in Massied 1st industrial city in Qatar:

Chemical fertilizers industry, petrochemical, iron, steel industries and liquefied natural gas factory, in addition   to medium industries .The most modern industrial centers in Qatar is    industrial Ras Lafan including   massive industrial projects on 40 KM area.  Modern Ras Lafan port is adjacent to the area using in exporting liquefied natural gas shipments since 1996.

Private sector operates a several projects in foodstuff, plant oils, dyes, cleaning products, plastic, paper, sand building, furnishings and cosmetics   industries and others.

§  Agriculture & animals :

The governments supports  farmers  and encourages  national capitals to investment in  agricultural  sector .The governments  provides all types of seed ,fruit seedlings ,fruitful trees and ensures  chemical fertilizers ,  farming equipments and veterinary service .The government enacts  necessary law to protect natural plants and animals wealth.

The agricultural markets national company manufactures m collects and packages the agricultural products to be marketed locally and export the surplus overseas.

Governmental farmlands work in the field of crops experiments to produce locally hygiene 

Fishing sector is major in Qatar .Fishing resources authority protects fisheries resources to be developed, manufactured and to make the best use of these resources 

Ø     Entry  ports & border points

 By land : via the two major borders points : Abu samrah,soudanthiel
By air: Doha international Airport By sea:  via Doha  and Massied ports
The visitor should have health card  to prove that he is free  from infectious diseases , it is important to note that Customs  department   imposes tax on good at the border  and all alcohol  drinks are not allowed.

WORK HOURS & public holidays

Ø 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

Ø PUBLIC HOLIDAYS:

Independence Day: 3rd September.
A-Eid Al-Fitr: At the 1st of Shawwal for four days.
B-Eid Al- Adha: starts at 9 th of Zilhijjah for five days.

Ø Important occasions :

Independence:

Qatar gained independence on September 3rd 1971.

Ø     27 June 1995:

On the 27Th of June 1995 His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa
Al-Thani assumed the rule of the State of Qatar supported by the ruling family and the Qatari       
LOCAL TIME:

3 hours + Greenwich Mean Time.

Ø  INTERNATIONAL CALLS:

Qatar has direct dialing with more than 215 countries.

For international calls dial 0+country code + required number

Or by  international calls  departments (No:150)

Ø POSTAL SERVICES :

The General Post Office in the West Bay area provides all modern postal services. Other post office branches spread in Doha, Doha outskirts and other towns as well.

Postage denominations for ordinary letters:

25 Dirhams local post 75 Dirhams post dispatched to GCC countries

100 Dirhams post dispatched to other Arab countries

200 Dirhams post dispatched to Europe, East Asia, America and Australia.

Additional fee is charged for registered mail.

 

Ø Currency& Banks:

The official currency is the Qatari Riyal (QR), which is divided into 100 dirhams.

Classified to( one. 5,10,50,100,500 QR)

Coin(Dirham . 10Dirham . 25Dirhams .50Dirhams QR)

The Exchange parity has been set at the fixed rate of US $ = 3.65QR's

There are 14 banks in Qatar .(6) of them are national banks .

Ø Important   telephone number

Police, Fire and Ambulance 999 .

Telephone Directory 180 .

International calls 150 .

QNA News (Arabic) 144 .

QNA New(English) 144 .

Ø Hotels :

Doha Sheraton	4854444
Marriott	4432432
Ramada	4417417
Alwah	4424424
Sofitel Doha Palace	4435222
Qatar place	4421515
International Qatar	4321761
New capital	4445445
Doha New palce	4426131
Tourism authority	4321321

Ø Newspapers :

Al- Rayah	4466555
Al- Shark	4662444
Al- watan	4354466
Al- Saker	4322288
Gulf Times	4466555
Peninsula	4663946

Ø CINEMA HOUSES AND THEATERS :

Al Khaleej Cinema	4671811
Doha Cinema	4671811
Amir Cinema	4424913
Qatar National Theater	4831333
Doha Theater Blazer	4871196
Educational Theatre	4339229

Ø  Public  Libraries :

Public Qatar library  (  Books house )	4429955
Al- Rayan Library	4407407
Al- khour library	4720112
Al- Shemal library	4731158
Al-wakrah library	4642331
Al-Khansaa ( for women ) library	4671051

Ø  MAJOR BANKS IN QATAR :

National Banks

Qatar Central Bank	4456456
Qatar National Bank	4407407
Doha Bank	4456600
Commercial Bank of Qatar	4490222
Qatar Islamic Bank	4409409
Al Ahli Bank of Qatar	4326611
Qatar Islamic International Bank	4332600

Ø Arabic BANKS :

Arab Bank	4437979
Mashreq Bank	4413213

Ø  Foreign banks :

Banque Paribas	4433844
Standard Chartered Bank	4414252
Grindlis limited Bank	4418222
United Limited Bank	4438666
Bank Saderat Iran	4430346

Ø  Banking :

Al – Fardan for banking	4426544
Al-Itihad for Banking	4350202
Al- Sed for Banking	4323334
Al – Manaa for banking	4424226
Habib for international  banking	4321377

Ø National  associations :

Qatari Red Crescent	4435111
Qatar Charity society	4350202
Qatari society for handicapped &  rehabilitation	4663232
Sheikh Eid Ben Mohammed Charity Society	4878051

Ø  Public utilities :

Directorate of Immigration, Passports and Naturalization	4882882
Hamad General Hospital	4394444
The Council of Planning	4381111
Youth and Sports General Authority	4453333
QNA News Qatar	4322725
Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry	4621131
Qatar Fine Arts Society	4410207
Family development Cenetr	4366581
Qatar National Museum	4442191
Qatar Airways	4333777
Doha Airport - Inquiries	4656666
Qatar University	4832222
Al Jazeera Satellite Channel	4890890
Qatar Radio and TV	4894444
The Medical Commission	4420444
Women Affairs administration	4425027
Qatar center for  Futrue studies	4355484

Ø RECREATIONAL CLUBS :

Doha Club for Sailing boats	4439840
Equestrian Club	4805901
Qatar Club for handicapped sport	4686334
Social& cultural Al Gisrah Club	4417772
Al Jazzerah ladies club	4676222
Sports sas center	4443701
Al Seker club	4443701
Doha Club	4418822
Al Ghazal Club	4433030
Dana Club	4834700

Ø Telephones &tools traders :

Aneic for Electronics	4419159
Jawal for technicians serives	4354035
Al- shabaah mobile phones	4354035
Qatar for communications &Mobile phones	4418999
Nobel for Computer communications	4364530

Ø LIMOUSINE SERVICES :

Al Jazeera Tourist Limousine	4322800
Al Doha Tourist Limousine	4322772
Al Watan Limousine	4477999
Mustafawi Limousine	4671007

 

 

Ø CAR RENTAL :

Al Manaa	4622891
-Budget	4419500
Europcar	4438404

Ø Diplomatic  missions in Doha

Name	Tel	Fax
Jordan	4832204	4832173
Germany	4876959	4876949
U.S.A	4884101	4884298
Eirtrea	4667934	4664139
Consultations	4858888	4831465
Emirates	4836186	4838880
Iran	4835300	4831665
Italy	4667842	4664644
Pakistan	4832525	4832227
Britain	4421991	4438692
Bangladesh	4671927	4671190
Bosnia	4670194	4670595
Turkey	4835553	4835206
Tunis	4832645	4832649
Algeria	4831186	4836452
Russia	4329117	4329118
Romania	4444348	4444346
Sri lanka	4677627	4674788
Saudi Arabia	4832030	4832720
Senegal	4676587	4676589
Sudan	4660207	4651166
Syria	4831844	4832139
Somalia	4832181	4862182
China	4884200/2	4873959
Iraq	4672237	4673347
Oman	4670744	4670747
France	4832281	4832254
Philippine