Geography :
Qatar is a peninsula, 11,437 square km in area, which project
from the Arabian mainland. It is approximately 160 km in length
and 80 km in width at its widest point. Overall, the country
is very flat, rising to only 110 m at its highest point, and
the land mass largely consists of scrubby desert terrain,
covered in sand and loose gravel. The country is largely formed
of limestone deposits and clays, laid down in various geologically
defined eras. A broad North-South arch dominates the structure
of the land, with the Dukhan anticline to the west, while
the coastal areas are mostly characterised by salt flats,
with an area of high sand dunes in the southeast. Lying in
the path of strong prevailing southeasterly winds. |
| The waters of the Arabian Gulf surround by far the majority
of the country. The coastline of Qatar extends for some
560 km, while the only land border of 60 km separates
the country from Saudi Arabia. There are several shallow
natural harbours: Doha, Wakrah and Messaieed being the
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most notable of these. Qatar enjoys a typical desert climate,
with mild winters subject to very limited, though erratic,
rainfall, often in the form of violent storms. The average
winter temperatures are from 20 - 30 °C, while during
the hot, humid summers the thermometer frequently registers
over 40 °C.
History :
Evidence of early civilisation in Qatar stretches back several
thousands years, with pottery shards dating from around BC
2,500 having been found at more than one location. Qatar's
relationship with the ancient Dilmun civilisation is to further
study. In the 5th century BC, the Greek historian Herodotus
referred to the original seafaring inhabitants of Qatar. Qatar
was famed for its weaving and embroidery, especially its cloaks.
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 In modern term Qatar gained independence
on September 3, 1971, having had a protection treaty
with Britain since the early part of the twentieth century.
The present Emir, His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa
Al-Thani, who was born in 1950, is the eighth member
of the family to rule the country.
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H.H. Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani, the Emir of the State
has assumed power on June 27, 1995 after eighteen years as
Heir Apparent and Defence Minister, a period during which
he became increasingly involved in the running of the State
affairs. Economy :
The oil policy followed by the State aims at supporting and
enhancing the production capabilities of oil and gas and expanding
industrial projects that depend on these resources so as to
diversify the sources of income and establish an appropriate
economic base. In spite of the international economic developments,
specially those related to supply and demand, which affected
the oil sector, the State maintained its oil production objectives
and meets the requirements of the overall development plans
through oil exploration and oil field which is equal to half
of the land of the State.
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This field is believed to be
the largest natural gas reserve in the world whereas its
total reserves amount to more than 500 trillion cubic
feet, while its recoverable reserves amount to 380 trillion
cubic feet. It is also considered to be the largest single
non-associated natural gas field in the world, making
Qatar one of the world five countries with the biggest
gas reserves. |
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In view of the large reserves of this field and the qualities
of gas as a clean and safe source development. Qatar has realised
during the second half of 1999 1,8 billion US$ in oil revenues
in view of recovery of oil prices in the international markets.
The average daily oil production reached 675 thousand barrels
in 1998. The average daily oil exports reached 461 thousand
barrels in 1997 production amounted to 2,552 thousand metric
tons in 1997, while the local consumption amounted to 971,
9 thousand metric tons in the same year. The offshore gas
field which was discovered in 1971 is situated in the North
East of the Qatar Peninsula at a water depth of 15-70 meters,
and covers an area of 6 thousand square kilometers of energy
to be depended upon for a very long time, the Qatar Gas and
Petroleum Company has worked out a strategic plan to develop
the field in specific phases and optimise the exporting The
average daily output of gas reached 1,482 million cubic feet
in 1998, of which 691 million cubic feet are associated gas
and 789 million cubic feet are non-associated. Facts and Figures of Qatar :
- Official Name: State of Qatar.
- Head of State: H.H. the Emir
- Head of Government: H.H. the Prime Minister
- Legislation: Advisory Council
- Law: Based on Sharia Law with both Civil and Sharia Courts.
- Nationalities: Qatari(s)
- Capital: Doha
- Location: Arabian Peninsula's East Coast. Boundaries-Saudi
Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Arabian Gulf.
- Area: 4,427 square miles (11, 437 square km).
- Physical Features:
- Highest point - Dukhan. Heights (321 ft.; 98 m.).
- Lowest point - sea level.
- Population: 630,000 (annual growth 1.0 %).
- Language: Arabic (official), English.
- Religion: Islam.
- Government: Traditional Emirate.
- Main Cities: Doha, Umm Said, Al-Khor, Dukhan, Ruwais,
Al-Wakrah, Al-Shamal, Ras Laffan.
- 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 $ = 3.65 QR's.
- 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.
- Weekend: Saturday and Friday
- Working Hours:
Government offices: 7 am to 2 pm. (Thursday and Friday are
the weekend holi-days).
Private establishments: 8.00 am to 12.00 noon, and 4.00
pm to 8.00 pm. Malls stay open until 9.00 or 10.00 pm (Fridays
are the weekend holidays).
Banks: 7:30 - to 1 pm (Fridays and Saturdays are weekend
holidays).
- Local Time: 3 hours + Greenwich Mean Time.
- Climate: winter: 20-30 degrees Celsius, summer 25 to 48
degrees Celsius.
- Electrical Current: 220-240 Volts + 6% with frequency
50 hertz.
Tourism and Shopping :
Among some of the beautiful destinations are Sealine Beach
and the Date Palm Island. The country enjoys several modern
shopping centres. City Centre and easy to access.
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| The Centre houses superb shops, restaurants fast food
outlets and a children's entertainment centre. A gigantic
Carrefour hypermarket makes it particularly convenient.
The Landmark houses shop like Marks and Spencer, BHS and
cinemas. Other centres include the Mall and the Lulu hypermarket
of Salam Plaza. |
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Doha: the Capital of Qatar :
The port city of Doha, on the East Coast of Qatar, is the
capital and major commercial centre of the country. More than
70 percent of the population live there. Most of the rest
live in the industrial town of Umm Said, the oil-field region
of Dukhan, and the East Coast town of Al-Wakrah in the south
and Al-Khor in the north of Doha.
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Doha, the Capital between tradition
and progress where formerly only fishing huts could be
found, is now lined by modern architecture. Nearly every
day single and two family houses are built. At present
this building boom continues. At night, thousands of lights
illuminate the whole city of Doha In winter months, it
has a perfect climate and with |
more hotels being built, Doha has the necessary infrastructure
to host the most demanding international sport and non-sports
events.
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