About Qatar

Qatar is a sovereign and independent Arab State. Islam is its official religion, Islamic Law is its principle source of Legislation.
Qatar is tolerant towards other religions. Arabic is its official Language and is a part of the Arab Nation.

Population
The present population in Qatar at the present time is more than 700.000 inhabitants.

Location
The State of Qatar is situated half way along the west coast of the Arabian Gulf, east of the Arabian peninsula.

The Area
The State of Qatar covers an area of 11437 sq km. The territory of the State of Qatar includes a number of islands in the coastal waters of the peninsula. The most well known of these islands are the Halul, which is the main export terminal for the offshore oilfields, Sharouh, Al Bashiriyah, Safliya and others.

Major Cities
Doha
Doha is the capital city and seat of Governments. It includes the country’s main sea port and international airport. It has an advanced road system linking it with the international road network and it is Qatar’s cultural, commercial and financial centre.

Al Rayyan
Al Rayyan is located 10 kilometers north of Doha. It is the largest residential area outside Doha

Al Khor
Al Khor is a coastal city 57 kilometers north of Doha with a port for Municipality includes the emergent industrial city of Ras Laffan

Ras Laffan Industrial City
Strategically located on the north shore of the Qatari Peninsula and at the centre of the Arabian Gulf, and because of its proximity to the North Field (the largest natural gas field in the world), Ras Laffan Industrial City is the host of many hydrocarbon based industries including Qatargas and Rasgas.

Mesaieed
Mesaieed is the major industrial city in Qatar. It has a large seaport as well as the principal terminal for the export of oil and other hydrocarbon products. The beaches at Mesaieed with their fine sand are considered to be among the most important tourist areas in Qatar.

Al Wakra
Al Wakra is situated between Doha and Mesaieed, 15 kilometers from Doha, and has a small harbour for fishing boats.

Dukhan
Dukhan is the onshore oil production centre and is situated halfway along the western coastline of the Qatari Peninsula. It has developed since the exploitation of the country’s oil reserves commenced in 1949.

Al-Zubarah
Al-Zubara is one of the most important historical towns. Located about 105 km to the north of Doha, it houses the historical Al-Zubara fort.

Madinat Ash-Shamal
A modern town functioning as an administrative center for a number of coastal villages in the northern part of the country. It is 107 km away from Doha.

>> Related sites:
Foreign Information Agency –Geography and History

Climate:
Qatar has a moderate desert climate with long hot summers and short mild winters and little rain in winter.

Currency:
The official currency is the Qatari Riyal (QR), which is divided into 100 dirhams. The Exchange parity has been set at the fixed rate of US $ = 3.65QR's.

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS:
- Independence Day: The Independence Day on 18th December
This Marks the day when Sheikh Jassem bin Mohamed bin Thani assumed power and laid the foundation of the modern State of Qatar.
- Eid Al-Fitr: At the 1st of Shawwal for four days.
- Eid Al- Adha: starts at 9th of Zilhijjah for five days.

National flag:
The national flag is maroon colour with a broad vertical white stripe at the pole, the two colours being separated with a nine-point serrated line.

Meaning of the flag:
A- The white colour reflects the internationally recognized symbol of peace.
B- The maroon colour symbolizes the bloodshed during the several wars Qatar had undergone, particularly in the second half of the 19th century.
C- The nine-point serrated line indicates that Qatar is the 9th member of the "reconciled Emirates" of the Arabian Gulf in the wake of concluding the Qatari-British treaty in 1916. This information on design and colour of Qatar flag was mentioned in the Archives of the British Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1931.

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.

LOCAL TIME:
3 hours + Greenwich Mean Time.

ELECTRICAL CURRENT:
240 Volts + 6% with frequency 50 hertz.

The political System
The system of government in the State of Qatar is hereditary in the family of Al Thani and in the line of the male descendants of Hamad bin Khalifa bin Hamad bin Abdullah bin Qassim.
The rule is inherited by the son named as Heir Apparent by the Emir after consultation with members of the Ruling Family and the people of wisdom (Ahal Alhal wal agd) in the State.
In case there is no such son, the prerogatives of rule is passed to the member of the family named by the Emir as Heir Apparent. In this case, his male descendants shall inherit the rule.

The Emir
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. He appointed on 5 August 2003 HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani as Heir Apparent.
The Emir is the Head of State. His person shall be inviolable and he must be respected by all. The Emir is the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces. He shall supervise the same with the assistance of the Defense Council, which is set under his direct authority.
The Emir shall represent the State internally and externally and in all international relations.

>> Related Sites:
Amiri Diwan

The Emir shall discharge the following functions:
1- Drawing up the general policy of the State with the assistance of the Council of Ministers.
2- Ratification and promulgation of laws; and no such law may be issued unless it is ratified by the Emir.
3- Summoning the Council of Ministers to convene at any time deemed necessary for public interest; and the Emir shall preside over the meetings of the Council of Ministers that he attends.
4- Appointment of civil servants and military personnel and terminating their service in accordance with the law.
5- Accrediting the heads of diplomatic and consular missions.
6- Granting pardon or commuting penalties in accordance with the law.
7- Conferring civilian and military orders and badges of honor in accordance with the law.
8- Establishing, organizing, supervising and specifying the functions of the consultative bodies that assist him in directing the high policies of the state.

>> Related sites:
The Prime Minister’s Biography
State Ministries
Major institutions

The State of Qatar
The State of Qatar gained its independence in 1971 and, shortly afterwards, joined both league of Arab States and the United Nations. A year earlier, in 1970, the provisional constitution had been issued. In 1972 it underwent the first amendment.
On 29 April 2003 Qatar witnessed the first referendum ever when Qataris went to polls to vote on the Permanent Constitution of the country which was approved by 96.6 % of the voters.
In March 1999 Qatari voters went to polls for the first time ever to elect the municipal council with the participation of women as voters and candidates. In April 2003 the emerging State of Qatar held its second elections.
The next step ahead of the Qatar is to prepare itself for the elections for the Al Shoura council (the country’s Parliament).

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Qatar reaps fruits of 33 years of independence
Official sites