Qatar Information Guide

Useful Information on Time, Currency, Public Holiday and Hours of Business

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Time

Qatar local time is three hours ahead of GMT.

Currency

The official currency is the Qatari Riyal (QR), which is divided into 100 dirhams. The exchange rate againts US Dollar has been set at the fixed rate of US$1=QR3.65.

Public Holidays

The dates of religious public holidays (Eid al Fitr and Eid al Adha) are fixed according to the Hijri (Islamic) calender. The starting of the holy month of Ramadan is confirmed in the night before by the sighting of the new moon. Eid Al Fitr is the celebration at the end of he month of Ramadan. Qatar's National Day is on the 18th December every year.

Hours of Business

The working week in Qatar runs from Sunday to Thursday, with Friday (the holy day for Muslims) and Saturday being day off. Government ministries working hours are from 7 am to 2 pm, Sunday to Thursday; similar to the oil, gas and petrochemical companies, which also works Sunday to Thursday. Some private business follow a one-shift workday, but many have two shift: roughly 7.30 am to noon and 3:30 pm to 7.30 pm.

Shop times vary, but are generally 8:30 am to 12:30 pm and 4 pm to 9 pm, although shopping malls tend to be open all day between the hours of 10 am to 10 pm. Some shops do not open at all on Fridays, while others open for the couple of hours in the morning and re-open in the late afternoon, although most malls and shopping centers only open around 4 pm on this day.

Useful Links on Qatar: Media, Sports and Tourism

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Media

Sport and Tourism

Tour Operator

Useful Links on Qatar: Oil, Gas and Petrochemical

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Oil, Gas and Petrochemical Links:

Useful Links on Qatar: Banking and Commerce

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Banking

Business News and Links

Useful Links on Qatar: Government, Ministries and Departments

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Goverment

Hukoomi - Qatar Government Online, the newly updated e-government in English, has a wide range of information about Qatar for visitors as well as residents, and allows both individuals and corporate users to complete various official transaction online.

Ministries

Departments

Center for Geographic Information Systems
Department of Meteorology
National Council for Culture, Arts and Heritage
Public Works Authority
Qatar Statistics Authority
Supreme Council for Family Affairs
Supreme Education Council
Supreme Council of Environment and Natural Reserves (SCENR) for local environment issues, (in Arabic).
The General Secretariat for Development Planning (GSDP)
Qatar Post Office (QPost)

Common Courtesies in Qatar

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Qatar is one of the safest places in the world and both visitors and residents have the opportunity to experience the corteous and hospitable nature of Arab culture. However, please bear in mind that Qatar is an Islamic states - by following a few simple rules in public you will more than repay the warm welcome shown you.

Common Courtesies in Qatar:

Please dress modestly when out in public. As a show of respect towards the culture and tradition of Qatar, visitors and expatriates (both men and women) should dress conservatively avoid exsposing the kness, shoulder, cleavage and stomach. Likewise, avoid tight, revealing clothing. Although there are many people who show disregard for the dress code here, it is in your own best interests to avoid any unwelcome attention.

Be particularly modest during the holy month of Ramadan. Normal swimwear (including bikinis) is acceptable on the beach or by the pool, but cover up when you move away from these areas. Topless sunbathing is prohibited! Public displays of affection between men and women are discouraged, and behaviour that is considered immoral could result in prosecution.

There are many many photographic opportunities, but excercise discretion when photographing local residents, even from a distance. It is wise to ask their permision first. Muslim ladies are very modest, so if you are a man, kindly approach another man for direction or advice.

There are stiff fines for consuming alcohol other than on licensed premises or at home (you must have a liquor permit to buy alcohol to use at home). Driving under the influance of alcohol is a serious offence, and could lead to prosecution if traffic officer even smells alcohol on your breath and you have been involved in a car accident. Alcohol is never sold or served during the month of Ramadhan. The country applies a zero-tolerance to drugs.

Qatar History

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Qatar History:

Archaeological discoveries, inscriptions and artefacts prove that Qatar was populated as early as 10,000-8,000 BCE.
In the middle of the first century CE, Pliny the Elder referred to the nomads of the area as the "Catharrei" - an apparent reference to their constant search for water.
One of the world's earliest map, The Map of Ptolemy in the second century CE, shows the word "Catara" at the head of the bay.
Qatar played an important role in the Islamic civilization when its inhabitants participated in the formation and provision of the first naval fleet.
During the 16 century, the Qataris aligned with the Turks to drive out the Portuguese. Subsequently, along with the entire Arabian Peninsula, they fell under the nominal rule of the Ottoman Empire for four successive centuries - with the real power and control remaining in the hands of the sheikhs and princes of local Arab tribes.

Geography, Demography and Climate

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Geography

Qatar is peninsula of 11,437 sq. km. located halfway down the west coast of Arabian Gulf.
The territory include several island including Haloul, Sheraouh, Al Beshairiya, Al Safliya and Al Aaliya.
The Coast Line covers 563 km with shallow coastal water in most areas, as there are many coves and inlets.
The terrain is flat and rocky, cover with sand flats and dunes. There are some exceptional low-rising limestone outcrops in the north and northwest.
The country is centrally place among the states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which group it with Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Oman.

Demograpy

Latest estimates released put Qatar population at more than 1.4 million - nearly double the figure recorded in the last census in 2004
Almost 50% of the population resides in the city of Doha, which is the business and administrative capital.
Other population centers include Dukhan on the west coast, Mesaieed and Al Wakra in the south, and Ras Laffan and Al Khor in the north. Ras Laffan Industrial City (RLIC) is creating a population expansion in Al Khor and areas adjoining Ras Laffan.

Climate

The country has a moderate desert climate with hot summer and mild winters. Winter night can be cool, but temperatures rarely drop below 7 degrees centigrade.
Temperatures and humidity rise in coastal cities and tows during summer.
Rainfall is scarce (average 70 mm per year), falling on isolated days mainly between October and March.