Country Guide • Qatar
Qatar is on the east coast of the Arabian Peninsula. The territory includes the mainland and a number of small islands. It is bound by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to the south and the Persian Gulf to the north, east and west. There are hills in the north west, but the rest of the country consists of sand dunes and salt flats, with scattered vegetation towards the north.
| Official Name | State of Qatar |
|---|---|
| Area | 11,437km² (4,416mile²) |
| Population | 817,000 |
| Continent | Middle East |
| Population per mile² | 185 |
| Capital City | Doha |
| Religions | The official religion is Islam - 95%, with the majority of the population Wahhabi Muslims. The remainder are Sunni Muslims and there is also a smaller Shiite community |
| Language | Arabic (official), English commonly used as a second language |
| Government | Monarchy |
| Currency | Qatari Riyal |
| GDP | $17.2 billion |
| GDP per Head | $21,500 |
| Natural Resources | Natural gas, petroleum and fish |
| Land Use | Arable Land 1.27% |
| Agriculture | Various fruits and vegetables, poultry, dairy products, beef and fish |
| Industry | Crude oil production and refining, fertilizers, petrochemicals, steel reinforcing bars, cement |
| Tourism | The best time to visit Qatar is November or late February to early March. 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. 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 |
| Natural Hazards | Haze, dust storms, sandstorms common |
| Health Risks | None |
| Climate | Qatar has a desert climate that is characterised by hot dry conditions, although it is a little milder in winter. Humidity along the coast can reach 90% during summer and average annual rainfall is below 3 inches with most of the rainfall occurring during the winter months. Average temperature ranges are from 23°C in winter to 35°C in summer |
| Time | GMT/UTC+3 hours |
| National Days | September 3 Independence Day |
| Visas | British visitors can obtain single entry short stay visas (valid for 21 days) at the airport on arrival. Longer-term visitors must obtain a valid visa from their nearest Qatari Embassy: before travelling. Israeli passport holders are not allowed in Qatar |
| British Embassy | Embassy Details |
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