Qatar at a Glimpse
State of Qatar
State of Qatar is an independent sovereign state located in the middle of the west coast of Arabian Gulf. It has maritime and land borders with Saudi Arabia and it has also maritime boundaries with Bahrain, United Arab Emirates and Iran.
The State of Qatar which has a dry desert climate is stretched as a peninsula on the length of 200 km and width of 100 km. The total land area of the state is 11,850 square kilometers including a number of islands and coral reefs.
The modern history of Qatar was began in the early eighteenth century AD when the ruling family "Al Thani" reached to the southern part of Qatar. The "Al Thani" family's root is connected with Almaadied tribe (Branch of Bani Tamim) in the Ushaiqir of Al Washm district in Najd. In the middle of eighteenth century the family moved to the northern part of Qatar, which includes Zubara and Ruwais and Fuert.
In 1878, H.H. Sheikh Jassim Bin Mohammad Al Thani succeeded his father H.E. Sheikh Mohammed bin Thani.
In 1913, H.H. Sheikh Abdullah Bin Jassim Al Thani assumed the power and the oil was discovered in the country for the first time during his rule.
H.H. Sheikh Hamad Bin Abdullah Al Thani assumed the power in 1940 and ruled the country until 1948.
In 1949, H.H. Sheikh Ali Bin Abdullah Al Thani became the ruler of the country until 1960 and was succeeded by H.E. Sheikh Ahmed Bin Ali Al Thani who ruled the country until 1972.
H.H. Sheikh Khalifa Bin Hamad Al THani assumed the power in 1972 and Qatar gained independence on 3rd September 1971.
In 1995, HH Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani came to power in the country with the allegiance and support of the ruling family and the people of Qatar.
On 26 June 2013, the present Emir HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani assumed the power.
Location
Qatar is a Peninsula located halfway down the West Coast of the Arabian Gulf. Its territory comprises a number of islands including Halul, Sheraouh, Al-Ashat and others.
Topographic Features
The terrain is flat and rocky with some low-rising limestone outcrops in Dukhan area in the west and Jabal Fiwairit in the north. It is characterized by a variety of geographical phenomena including many coves, inlets, depressions and surface rainwater-draining basins known as riyadh (the gardens), which are found mainly in the north and central part of the peninsula. These areas have the most fertile soil and are rich in vegetation.
Land Area
The total land area of Qatar is approximately 11,521 square kilometers.
Population
Qatar population is estimated as 2,404,776 (as per 2015 census) and 83% of the populations reside in Doha and its main suburb Al-Rayyan.
Capital City
Official Language
Arabic is the official language, and English is widely spoken.
Climate
Qatar has a moderate desert climate with long hot summers and short mild winters and little rain in winter.
Major Towns
- Doha
- Al Wakrah
- Al Khor
- Dukhan
- Al Shamal
- Mesaieed
- Ras Lafan and others
Currency
The official currency is Qatari Riyal (QR), which is divided into 100 dirhams. The Exchange parity has been set at the fixed rate of US $ = 3.65QR's.
National Day
The 18th of December every year in commemoration of Sheikh Jasim bin Mohammad Al-Thani the founder of the State of Qatar.
Public Holidays
National Day: 18th of December in each year.
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.
Working Hours
Government Offices : 6 am to 1 pm
Private establishments: 8 am to 12 noon, and 4 pm to 8 pm
Friday and Saturday are weekend holidays.
Local Time
3 hours + Greenwich Mean Time(GMT).
Electric Current
240 Volts + 6% with frequency 50 hertz.
Telephone Code
International Code: 00974
Local code: There is no local code for telephone calls. The domestic and mobile calls can be done with out using any code directly from the land phone or mobile.