|
| Country
Status |
| Independent
Arab state of absolute power. |
| Capital |
| Doha |
| Population |
| 600,000 |
| Religion |
| Islam |
| Head
of State |
|
Shaikh
Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani
|
| Languages |
| Arabic
(official), English. |
| Land
Surface |
| 11,500
km˛ |
| Currency |
1
Rial = 100 Dirhams.
100 Rials=US$27.80
US$1 = 3.64 Rials. |
| Local
Time |
| 3
hours ahead of GMT. |
|
|
Qatar
is an independent Arab state situated on the western shore of
the Arabian Gulf. It is boarded by Saudi Arabia and the United
Arab Emirates in the south, and Bahrain in the northeast. The
peninsula of Qatar is mostly flat and stony desert, while the
desert in the south of the country is sandy, and it rains very
little here (less than 130 mm/year). Qatar has hot and long
summers with high humidity, while winters are pleasantly cool
in daytime, but can be freezing in the night. Qatar has one of
the most harsh climates of the Persian Gulf. The highest point
of Qatar is 40 meters above sea level.
Vegetation and wild life is extremely limited, due to climatic
conditions. Most animals are small, and adjusted to desert
living. Only the north has some vegetation.
Qatar is strongly urbanized, 90% of the population lives in
towns and cities. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Qatar is
7.473 million dollars. Qatar's main products are related to
petroleum. Steel manufacturing, cement, fertilizers, and wheat
production are the other important areas of activity. Trading
and contracting also form a part of the commercial scenario.
Visas are
required for all nationalities except those belonging to the
GCC countries and Britain. Business and transit visas are also
provided. Health regulations for cholera, typhoid, and yellow
fever vaccinations are advised. AIDS tests are also
recommended.
There are daily newspapers and also magazines in both English
and Arabic. Television and radio broadcast have also
established in a distinguished manner.
|
