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Qatar
Overview
Country Overview
Qatar is an oil-rich peninsula jutting out into the Gulf between Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates. The majority of the country consists of sand dunes and salt flats.
The city of Doha combines a rich mixture of traditional Arabic and modern architecture. The Grand Mosque with its many domes and the Abu Bakir al-Siddiq Mosque are particularly interesting.
The north contains most of the historic sites, including Umm Salal Mohammed, a relatively large village dominated by the ruins of a 19th-century fort. Al Khor is the second-largest city, situated around a natural shallow harbour.
On the west coast there are fine beaches at Umm Bab (‘The Palm Tree Beach’) Dukhan and Salwah near the Saudi border. The south is a region of sand dunes and beaches, offering opportunities to go pearl hunting, or to practise any of a number of watersports.
Public entertainment can be rather limited. Live entertainment is infrequent, but some international artists do perform in Qatar.
General Information
Area: 11,437 sq km (4416 sq miles).
Population: 579,200 (2000).
Population Density: 50.6 per sq km.
Capital: Doha. Population: 392,384 (1995).
GEOGRAPHY: Qatar is an oil-rich peninsula jutting out into the Gulf between Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates. There are hills in the northwest, but the rest of the country consists of sand dunes and salt flats, with scattered vegetation towards the north.
Government: Emirate since 1971. Gained independence from the UK in 1971. Head of State: Crown Prince Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani since 1995. Head of Government: Prime Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Thani since 1996.
Language: Arabic is the official language. Some English is spoken.
Religion: Islam.
Time: GMT + 3.
Electricity: 220-240 volts AC, 50Hz.
Communications:
Telephone
IDD is available. Country code: 974. There are no area codes. Outgoing international code: 0.
Mobile telephone
GSM 900 network exists. Main network provider is Q-tel (website: www.qtel.com.qa).
Fax
Available at some major hotels.
Internet
Main ISPs iclude Qatar (website: www.qatar.net.qa). Internet cafes exist in Doha.
Telegram
The Cable and Wireless Office in Doha (0600-2300) and major hotels provide services.
Post
Airmail to Europe takes up to a week.
Press
English-language newspapers include the Gulf Times. The main dailies are Al-Raya, Al-’Arab and Al-Sharq.
BBC World Service and Voice of America frequencies: From time to time these change.
BBC (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice):
Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov):
Passport/Visa
| | Passport Required? | Visa Required? | Return Ticket Required? | | British | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Australian | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Canadian | Yes | Yes | Yes | | USA | Yes | Yes | Yes | | OtherEU | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Japanese | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Restricted entry: The Government refuses entry and transit to holders of passports issued by Israel.
PASSPORTS: Passport valid for at least six months required by all.
VISAS: Required by all except the following:
(a) nationals of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates;
(b) transit passengers whose tickets show they intend to continue their journey from the airport within eight hours.
Note: (a) All visitors require onward or return tickets and sufficient funds for the period of stay. 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 Andorra, Australia, Brunei, Canada, EU countries, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea (Rep), Malaysia, New Zealand and Singapore and Switzerland can obtain Business and Tourist visas upon arrival at the Airport in Doha for 50 Qatari (£10-12).
Types of visa and cost: Prices vary according to nationality. The following prices are for British nationals; Single-entry: £36 (three months); Multiple-entry: £50 (six months); £71 (two years); £130 (five years).
Application to: Consulate (or Consular section at Embassy); see Contact Addresses section 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: 433 0000; fax: 442 9565).
Application requirements: (a) Completed visa application form. (b) Valid passport. (c) Two passport-size photos. (d) Fee (cash, postal order or company cheque only). (e) Name and address of sponsor in Qatar and for American nationals and EU passport holders except nationals from Ireland and the UK, Business visas need to be accompanied by an invitation letter from company and confirmation of hotel booking. (f) Stamped, self-addressed envelope for postal applications.
Working days required: One, although 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 (QR) = 100 dirhams. Notes are in denominations of QR500, 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, minting of the rest ceased in the 1970s.
Note: The Qatari Riyal is tied to the US Dollar.
Credit & debit cards: MasterCard, American Express, Diners Club and Visa are widely accepted. Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available.
Travellers cheques: Widely accepted. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take travellers cheques in US Dollars or Pounds Sterling.
Currency restrictions: There are no restrictions on the import or export of either local or foreign currency. Israeli currency, however, is prohibited.
Exchange rate indicators
The following figures are included as a guide to the movements of the Riyal against the Dollar and Sterling:
| Date | May ’02 | Aug ’02 | Nov ’02 | Feb ’03 | | £1.00= | 5.30 | 5.54 | 5.76 | 5.79 | | $1.00= | 3.64 | 3.64 | 3.64 | 3.64 |
Banking hours: Sat-Thurs 0730-1330.
Duty Free
The following goods may be imported into Qatar without incurring customs duty:
A reasonable amount of tobacco and perfume for personal use.
Prohibited items: All alcohol is prohibited. Firearms can only be imported with a licence obtained in advance from the Ministry of Defence.
Public Holidays
Dec 6-8 2002 Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan). Feb 12 2003 Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice). Mar 5 Islamic New Year. Jun 27 Accession of HH The Amir Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani. Sep 3 Independence Day. Nov 26-28 Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan). Feb 2 2004 Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice). Feb 22 Islamic New Year. Jun 27 Accession of HH The Amir Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani. Sep 3 Independence Day. Nov 14-16 Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan).
Note: Muslim festivals are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the moon and the dates given above 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 ten days, depending on the region. For more information see the World of Islam appendix.
Health
| | Special Precautions | Certificate Required | | Yellow Fever | No | No | | Cholera | No | No | | Typhoid and Polio | 1 | N/A | | Malaria | No | N/A |
1: Vaccination against typhoid is advised.
Food & drink: All water should be regarded as being potentially contaminated. Water used for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice should have first been boiled or otherwise sterilised. Milk is unpasteurised and should be boiled. Powdered or tinned milk is available and is advised, but make sure that it is reconstituted with pure water. Avoid dairy products which are likely to have been made from unboiled milk. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish, preferably served hot. Salad and mayonnaise may carry increased risk. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled.
Other risks: Typhoid fevers and hepatitis A exist; precautions should be taken. Hepatitis B is endemic. Cutaneous leishmaniasis occurs.
Rabies is present. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay. For more information, consult the Health appendix.
Note: Certificates proving the visitor to be HIV-negative may be required if planning on staying more than one month in the country. Check with Embassy (see Contact Addresses section).
Health care: There are several hospitals in Qatar, the most recent and modern being the Hamad General Hospital. The Poly Clinic has good dentists. Charges are high and health insurance is essential. As a precaution against the intense heat, visitors should maintain a high salt and fluid intake.
Travel - International
AIR: Gulf Air (GF) and Qatar Airways (QR) are the major airlines serving Qatar.
Approximate flight times: From Doha to London is 8 hours 25 minutes. There are no direct flights from the USA. It would be necessary to fly via a European destination such as Frankfurt/M, London or Amsterdam.
International airports: Doha (DOH) is 8km (5 miles) southeast of the city (travel time – 25 minutes). Taxis are available to the city with official rates displayed. Facilities include car hire (Budget and Hertz), banks, restaurant and a duty-free shop.
Departure tax: None.
SEA: The main international ports are Doha and Umm Said. The traffic is mostly commercial, but some passenger lines call at Doha.
ROAD: Access is possible via both the UAE and Saudi Arabia, but the main international route from Saudi Arabia is unreliable and often impassable during the rainy season.
Travel - Internal
ROAD: The road system is fair, but conditions are poor during the wet season. Driving is on the right. Bus: No organised public bus service. Taxi: These have black and yellow number plates, are painted orange and white, and are metered. Taxis can be hired on an hourly basis. Car hire: Available from local companies at the airport and hotels. Documentation: An International Driving Permit is required, but a temporary licence can be obtained on presentation of a valid UK licence.
Accommodation
Recent building ensures that Qatar is well served by first-class hotels. There are also a number of 3- or 4-star hotels offering reasonable accommodation. Advance booking is strongly advised. All rates are subject to a 15 per cent service charge. For more information contact the Qatar National Hotels Company (see Contact Addresses section).
Sport & Activities
The national sport is football. Doha boasts several marinas, sub-aqua clubs and sailing facilities as well as a number of sports clubs which are open to visitors. There are several camel race tracks; the main one is found off the road to Dukhan, but spectators need a four-wheel-drive vehicle to follow the race. The graded track is 18km (11 miles) long through the desert and sometimes more than 250 camels take part with big money prizes and prestige at stake. Desert excursions can also be arranged.
Social Profile
Food & Drink: While the best food is generally found in hotels, Western, Chinese, Indian, Thai, Persian and US 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, as well as the traditional Levantine shawarma and Egyptian foul and taamiyeh. Restaurants are scarce outside the capital.
Alcohol is prohibited and should not be consumed in public, though some international hotels may serve alcohol.
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.
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. It is also worth noting that catering staff are treated with the same respect as other employees. For more information, see the World of Islam appendix. Tipping: Taxi drivers do not expect a tip. A service charge is often added to bills in hotels and most restaurants, otherwise ten per cent is appropriate.
Business Profile
Economy: Oil and gas reserves have transformed Qatar from an impoverished outcrop on the Arabian Peninsula into one of the richest countries in the world. The oil deposits located and exploited from the 1970s onwards were of unusually high quality and generated a substantial income for the country. In addition, one of the world’s largest natural gas fields, known as the North Field, was discovered in Qatari waters in the late 1980s. Measured by revenue, gas production has now outstripped oil and is set to remain Qatar’s principal source of income for the foreseeable future.
Agriculture is necessarily limited by climate and water resources. Some indigenous industry exists, mainly based on petrochemicals and refining but also including steel, concrete and cement, plastics, paint and flour. The Qatari government has earmarked US$5 billion for further industrialisation projects during the early 21st century. Current economic performance is steady with annual growth of three per cent and inflation of 1.5 per cent. Qatar is a member of OPEC, the Arab Monetary Fund and the Islamic Development Bank. It also belongs to the World Trade Organization, whose current round of negotiations Qatar is hosting. Currently, most of Qatar’s oil and gas is sold to Japan and Italy. EU countries, Japan and the USA are the country’s main trading partners.
Business: Politeness and patience in business dealings are needed. Office hours: Sat-Thurs 0800-1200 and 1600-1900. Government office hours: Sat-Wed 0700-1400.
Commercial Information: The following organisation can offer advice: Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry, PO Box 402, Doha (tel: 425 131/2; fax: 425 132; e-mail: qcci@qatar.net.qa; website: www.arab.net/qatar/business/qr_commerce.html).
Conferences/Conventions: Several of Doha’s largest hotels provide facilities with extensive support services, including simultaneous translation systems and full audio-visual capability. Contact individual hotels for more information.
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.
History and Government
History: The families that rule the northern Arabian Gulf states are, almost without exception, descended from migrants from the central region of the Arabian peninsula in the 18th and early 19th centuries. The Al-Khalifas, who today govern Bahrain, also established a settlement on the small peninsula directly opposite the island –modern-day Qatar. The Al-Khalifas were unable to hold on to their mainland possession, however, and were displaced by the Al-Thani clan. The Al-Thanis were part of the original wave of migration, but little else is known about their origins. Although the Al-Khalifas had agreed a treaty with the British in 1868, this did not prevent Qatar being absorbed into the Turkish Ottoman empire – then undergoing a brief resurgence during a period of otherwise chronic decline – in 1872.
After the Ottoman collapse during World War I, Qatar once again came under British suzerainty. The British recognised the Al-Thanis as rulers, providing military protection in exchange for control of Qatar’s external affairs under treaties signed in 1916 and 1934. British troops were moved out of the Gulf in 1968 as part of the ‘East of Suez’ withdrawals. Plans to enhance Qatar’s security through federations with Bahrain and the Trucial States (now the United Arab Emirates) failed and in 1971 Qatar assumed full independence under the rule of Sheikh Ahmad.
Rivalries within the Al-Thani family immediately after independence culminated in a coup by the chief minister, Sheikh Khalifa Bin Hamad Al-Thani. Under Khalifa’s regime, Qatar has used its substantial oil revenues to develop a modern infrastructure, health and education services. It has allied itself closely with Saudi Arabia on regional and international issues (but see below). Qatar was also one of the instigators of the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC), inaugurated in 1981, which seeks to establish an EU-style trade structure in the Gulf area and to provide for a regional defence policy. The security aspect of the Council’s work has received greater attention since the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait.
Despite formal support for its fellow Arabs in Iraq in its 1980s war against Iran, Qatar avoided the same level of involvement in the conflict as some of its Gulf neighbours, although it did play a major role during the protracted peace negotiations. Qatar was also an active participant in the multinational alliance assembled to liberate Kuwait in 1990. During the early 1990s, Qatar became involved in several serious arguments with other Gulf states. In July 1991 the Gulf Cooperation Council intervened to calm a dispute between Qatar and Bahrain over the small but potentially oil-rich Hawar islands in the Gulf. The issue was settled (largely in favour of Bahrain) in 2001 by the International Court of Justice. A border dispute with Saudi Arabia, which had flared up in 1992, was also settled around the same time. In a wider context, Qatar’s Arab neighbours looked disapprovingly upon its burgeoning commercial relations with Israel (although these have since been sharply curtailed). Qatar was also one of the few countries to maintain relations of any kind with the Taleban regime in Afghanistan (although it has very good relations with the US, see below).
The Emir’s conduct of Qatari foreign policy undoubtedly exacerbated the divisions within the ruling family, which have persisted throughout Qatar’s period of independence. Once again these came to a head in 1995 when the Emir was deposed by his son, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, in a bloodless palace coup. A counter-coup by prominent supporters of the deposed Emir, including ex-finance minister Sheikh Hamed bin Jassem Al-Thani, to restore him was thwarted in February 1996.
Sheikh Hamad appointed a new government with one of his sons as deputy and heir apparent and his brother as chief minister. A woman was appointed to a ministerial post (Under-Secretary for Education and Culture) for the first time. Since then, the Emir has embarked on a very gradual process of democratisation; municipal elections were held for the first time in 1999, and plans are in hand for an elected national parliament.
More controversial than these domestic moves, however, was the Sheikh’s decision in late 2002 to allow the US military to set up its main Gulf regional command centre at Sayliyah. The 1991 Gulf War had been controlled from Saudi Arabia, but Saudi sensitivities had limited the Americans’ freedom of manoeuvre in planning a possible war on Iraq; the Qataris offered a welcome alternative.
Government: The Al-Thani family rules Qatar as an absolute monarchy without an independent legislature or political parties. Executive power is partially devolved to a Council of Ministers appointed by the Emir who is both head of state and prime minister. An advisory council with 30 appointees was created in 1972. There is an advisory council with limited powers to request information from the government and debate forthcoming legislation (but not to change or block it). The Emir plans a gradual process of democratisation (see above).
Copyright © 2003 Columbus Publishing Ltd.
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