Qatar Facts and Culture

What is Qatar famous for?

• Family: Virtually all marriages are arranged, sometimes even when the concerned parties are quite young. Girls are deemed of marriageable age... More
• Fashion: Most Qatari women, especially older ones, wear the "abaya", a long black coat, which covers the entire body, and a... More
• Visiting: Hospitality is an important feature of Qatari life. Most Qataris receive male guests at home in a majlis (reception area).... More
• Recreation: Boys enjoy playing the “Al Ghomaid” game, in which one boy is blindfolded and has to catch one of the... More
• Diet: Because the workday begins early, breakfast is usually served at about 6:00 a.m. It is light, consisting of olives, cheese,... More

What is the capital of Qatar?

Capital	Doha
Government Type	absolute monarchy
Currency	Qatari Rial (QAR)
Total Area	4,473 Square Miles 11,586 Square Kilometers
Location	Middle East, peninsula bordering the Persian Gulf and Saudi Arabia
Language	Arabic (official), English commonly used as a second language
GDP - real growth rate	4.7%
GDP - per capita (PPP)	$145,000.00 (USD)

What is the population of Qatar?

Ethnic Groups	Arab 40%, Pakistani 18%, Indian 18%, Iranian 10%, other 14%
Nationality Adjective	Qatari
Nationality Noun	Qatari(s)
Population	2,444,174
Population Growth Rate	4.19%
Population in Major Urban Areas	DOHA (capital) 567,000
Predominant Language	Arabic (official), English commonly used as a second language
Urban Population	98.8%

What type of government does Qatar have?

• Executive Branch: chief of state: Amir TAMIM bin Hamad Al Thani (since 25 June 2013) head of government: Prime Minister and Minister of... More
• Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal More
• Citizenship: citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: the father must be a citizen of Qatar dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for... More
• National Holiday: National Day, 18 December (1878), anniversary of Al Thani family accession to the throne; Independence Day, 3 September (1971) More
• Constitution: previous 1972 (provisional); latest drafted 2 July 2002, approved by referendum 29 April 2003, endorsed 8 June 2004, effective 9... More
• Independence: 3 September 1971 (from the UK) More

What environmental issues does Qatar have?

• Overview: A sovereign Arab State on the western shore of the Arabian Gulf, Qatar occupies a 4,200-square-mile peninsula as well as... More
• Climate: Qatar lies outside the area of the annual monsoons. Its seasons are similar to those of the Temperate Zone, although... More
• Border Countries: Saudi Arabia 60 km More
• Environment - Current Issues: limited natural fresh water resources are increasing dependence on large-scale desalination facilities More
• Environment - International Agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection,... More
• Terrain: mostly flat and barren desert covered with loose sand and gravel More

How big is the Qatar economy?

• Economic Overview: Qatar’s oil and natural gas resources are the country’s main economic engine and government revenue source, driving Qatar’s high economic... More
• Industries: crude oil production and refining, fertilizers, petrochemicals, steel reinforcing bars, cement More
• Currency Name and Code: Qatari Rial (QAR) More
• Export Partners: Japan 41.2%, South Korea 17.1%, Singapore 8.4%, US 4.2% More
• Import Partners: France 17.8%, Japan 10.1%, US 8.5%, UK 8.3%, Germany 8.2%, Italy 6.7%, UAE 5.1%, Saudi Arabia 4.2%, South Korea 4% More

What current events are happening in Qatar?
Source: Google News

What unique things can you discover about Qatar?

• Abdel Rahman al-Mannai is a Qatari playwright and the author of Umm Zinn (The Most Beautiful), a play in the Qatari dialect. He has also translated several English plays into the Qatari dialect.
• According to legend, coffee-drinking began is Arabia almost 12 centuries ago when a goatherd named Khalid noticed that, although the afternoon sun made him drowsy, his flock were lively after nibbling the berries of a certain evergreen bush. Khalid ground and boiled the berries and discovered coffee.
• Although the Qatar government provides extensive social services and would provide for any elderly citizen in need, most Qatari children would consider it shameful not to care for elderly parents within the family.
• Because the early afternoon is the hottest part of the day, offices and shops are usually open from 7:00 a.m. to noon and from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. or later. The Qatari weekend is Thursday and Friday rather than Saturday and Sunday.
• Before the 1970s, boys and girls studied different subjects, but in recent years, the curricula for boys' and girls' schools have been the same. Today, girls often outperform boys academically.
• Each year about a thousand Qataris receive government scholarships to pursue higher education in other Arab countries, Europe or North America.
• In 1995, the Qatari government lifted censorship of the media, and since that time, the press in Qatar has been essentially free from government control.
• Muharram marks the beginning of the first month in the Islamic calendar. It is the Muslim New Year. It commemorates the day in 622 on which Mohammed and his followers left Mecca for Medina, an event considered the beginning of Islamic history.
• On weekends, Qataris enjoy driving to oases where they camp out in tents. For a night or two they experience the lifestyle of their Bedouin ancestors.
• Only about 30% of the residents of Qatar are actually citizens of Qatar. The population includes large communities of Indians, Pakistanis and Iranians, and smaller communities of Filipinos, Bangladeshis, Sudanese, Afghans, Sri Lankans and Britons.
• Qatar is geologically unstable; the land has risen two meters relative to sea level in the past 400 years. Qatar and Bahrain were once joined, but, over the centuries, the two land masses drifted apart.
• Qatar is the world's least taxed country.
• Qatari hospitals do not restrict visiting hours; a constant stream of family and friends arrives to visit patients. Wealthy patients even bring their maids when they go into hospital.
  
• Qatari troops participated in the Persian Gulf War in 1990-91. Doha served as a base for offensive strikes by American and Canadian aircraft against Iraq and the Iraqi forces.
• The separation of men and women in Qatari society extends to places of prayer, government offices, shops and even elevators.
• The University of Qatar sponsors research into the medicinal properties of local plants. Jaad is a type of mint that is used to treat stomach upsets and rheumatism, while ephedra is taken for nasal problems, and githgath can alleviate a wide range of ailments.
• The waterfront of Doha, known as the Corniche, is a spacious promenade around the harbor, lined with palm trees. Qataris enjoy walking and picnicking on the Corniche and gather there to watch boat races.
• Traditional musical instruments used in Qatari music include the rebaba and the oud (both stringed instruments) and the Arabian flute.
• When Muslims pray, they face the holy city of Mecca, in Saudi Arabia. In Qatar, this means facing almost due west.

What makes Qatar a unique country to travel to?

Country Description

Qatar is an hereditary constitutional monarchy governed by the ruling Al Thani family in consultation with a council of ministers, an appointed advisory council,and an elected municipal council. Qatar’s first written constitution was adopted in 2005. Islamic beliefs and tribal traditions provide an important foundation of the country’s customs, laws and practices. Located on the Persian Gulf, Qatar is a dynamic, rapidly developing country that is among the wealthiest in the world by per capita income. Tourist facilities are available.

Crime

The crime rate in Qatar is generally low. A large police presence is apparent to travelers throughout the country. Incidents of violence are rare but have occurred more frequently in recent years as Doha’s population and economic pressures on expatriate workers have increased. Local and third-country-national young men have occasionally verbally and physically harassed unaccompanied expatriate women. Reports of petty theft are infrequent but have been growing, including ATM and credit card theft, purse snatching, and pickpocketing. Travelers should not leave valuables such as cash, jewelry, and electronic items unsecured in hotel rooms or unattended in public places.

Do not buy counterfeit and pirated goods, even if they are widely available. Not only are the bootlegs illegal in the United States, if you purchase them you may also be breaking local law.

Criminal Penalties

While you are traveling in Qatar, you are subject to its laws even if you are a U.S. citizen. Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different than our own. It is illegal to take pictures of certain buildings; well-marked signs will usually inform you. Driving under the influence could land you immediately in jail. There are also some things that might be legal in Qatar, but still illegal in the United States, and you can be prosecuted under U.S. law if you buy pirated goods. Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime prosecutable in the United States. If you break local laws in Qatar, your U.S. passport won’t help you avoid arrest or prosecution. It is very important to know what is legal and what is not wherever you go.

Criminal offenses are punished according to Qatari laws, which in some cases are based on Islamic law and sometimes more severe than in the United States for similar offenses. Persons violating Qatari laws, even unknowingly, may be arrested, imprisoned, deported, or subject to a ban from departing Qatar. Travel bans are not lifted until both parties resolve a dispute and the case is abandoned or, if not, until the matter is resolved by a court, which may require months to process the case. Qatari law enforcement authorities have detained potential witnesses or relatives without charges or access to legal counsel during the investigation of a crime.

The U.S. Embassy in Doha cautions U.S. citizens that Qatari police have arrested U.S. citizens suspected of or witness to a crime, including traffic accidents involving injuries to pedestrians or the occupants of other cars, traffic arguments, slander, and a variety of lesser offenses. Once an arrest has been made, the Qatari Police have no independent authority to grant a release, an authority reserved solely for Qatar’s Public Prosecution and Courts. As a result, arrested U.S. citizens, regardless of the charges, often spend one or two nights in jail awaiting a hearing with Qatar’s Public Prosecution or the appropriate court.

Qatari law enforcement authorities do not routinely notify the U.S. Embassy in Doha of a U.S. citizen’s arrest and, for more serious crimes, may not allow a U.S. Embassy official to visit an arrested U.S. citizen until the initial interrogation is completed. Upon arrest, U.S. citizens should ask to speak to the U.S. Embassy immediately, and if not allowed, request that a friend or family member notify the U.S. Embassy through the contact information below.

Incidents involving insults or obscene language/gestures often result in arrest, overnight imprisonment and/or fines whether the incident occurs between private parties or involves officers of the law. Insulting someone in public is considered a punishable offense. Drunk driving, public intoxication and other alcohol-related offenses are treated with severity and will result in arrest, heavy fines, imprisonment, or expulsion from the country. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Qatar are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines.

While some countries will automatically notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate if a U.S. citizen is detained or arrested in a foreign country, that might not always be the case. To ensure that the United States is aware of your circumstances, request that the police and prison officials notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate as soon as you are arrested or detained overseas.

Medical Facilities and Health Information

Good modern medical care and medicines are available in Qatar. Serious medical problems requiring hospitalization and/or medical evacuation to the United States can cost thousands of dollars. Doctors and hospitals expect immediate cash payment for health services.

Safety and Security

Incidents of violence are rare in Qatar, although attacks against Western targets have occurred. To provide for public security, a large police presence is deployed throughout the country. U.S. citizens in Qatar should maintain a high level of vigilance, be aware of local events, and take appropriate steps to bolster their personal security at all times. U.S. citizens should also avoid visiting labor or work camps, where unrest can occur because of local working conditions or labor grievances.

The Department of State remains concerned about the possibility of terrorist attacks against U.S. interests worldwide, including the Middle East. Both historical and recurring information suggests that al-Qaida and affiliated organizations continue to plan strikes against Western targets and these attacks may employ a wide variety of tactics to include assassination, kidnapping, hijacking, and bombing.

Increased security at official facilities has led terrorists and their sympathizers to seek softer, less fortified targets. Other locations of potential concern include any venue where U.S. citizens and other foreigners are known to congregate in large numbers, such as public assemblies, sporting events, restaurants, residential areas, clubs, places of worship, schools, hotels, etc. The Government of Qatar occasionally provides security for such locations and events, but to varying degrees. In most instances, the Embassy cannot gauge the appropriateness of security for a given event before it starts. The Embassy strongly encourages U.S. citizens to avoid large crowds and demonstrations whenever possible.

Traffic Safety and Road Conditions

While in Qatar, you may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. The information below concerning Qatar is provided for general reference only and is subject to change at any time. Current traffic regulations may be obtained through the Ministry of Interior’s Traffic Police.

Short-term visitors should obtain a valid International Driving Permit prior to arrival and should not drive in Qatar on a U.S. driver’s license. New and prospective residents should obtain a permanent Qatari Driving License immediately after arrival. To obtain a Qatari driver’s license, U.S. citizens need to pass a driving exam, including a road test. Short-term visitors and business travelers can also obtain a Temporary Qatari Driving License by presenting their U.S. driver’s license at any branch of Qatar’s Traffic Police.

Traffic accidents are among Qatar’s leading causes of death. Safety regulations in Qatar are improving, thanks to a more stringent traffic law adopted in October 2007 and a country-wide traffic safety campaign. However, informal rules of the road and the combination of local and third-country-national driving customs often prove frustrating for first-time drivers in Qatar. The combination of Qatar’s extensive use of roundabouts, many road construction projects and the high speeds at which drivers may travel can prove challenging. The rate of automobile accidents due to driver error and excessive speed is declining but remains higher than in the United States. In rural areas, poor lighting, wandering camels and un-shouldered roads present other hazards.

Despite the aggressive driving on Qatar’s roads, drivers should avoid altercations or arguments over traffic incidents, particularly with Qatari citizens who, if insulted, have filed complaints with local police that resulted in the arrest and overnight detention of U.S. citizens. Drivers can be held liable for injuries to other persons involved in a vehicular accident, and local police have detained U.S. citizens overnight until the extent of the person’s injuries were known. Due to its conservative Islamic norms, Qatar maintains a zero-tolerance policy against drinking and driving. Qatar’s Traffic Police have arrested U.S. citizens for driving after consuming amounts of alcohol at lower levels than legally allowed in the United States.

Any motor vehicle over five years old cannot be imported into the country. For specific information concerning Qatari driver’s permits, vehicle inspection, road tax and mandatory insurance, please contact either the Embassy of the State of Qatar in Washington, D.C. or the Consulate General of the State of Qatar in Houston, Texas.