19.08.2008
About Qatar
- Official Name : State of Qatar.
- Head of State : The Amir, His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani
- Head of Government : Sheikh Hamad Ibn Jassim Bin Jabor Al Thani
- Legislation : Advisory Council, an appointed body that assists the Amir in formulating policy
- 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. (321 ft.; 98 m.)
- Lowest point : sea level..
- Population : 630,000 (annual growth 1.0 %).
- Language: Arabic (official), English.
- Religion: Islam.
- Government: Qatar is developing into a constitutional monarchy
- Main Cities: Doha, Umm Said, Al-Khor, Dukhan, Ruwais, Al-Wakrah, Al-Shamal, Ras Laffan.
- Currency: Qatari Riyal (QR), which is divided into 100 Dirhams. US $1 = 3.65 QR's.
- National Flag: The national flag is maroon with a broad vertical white stripe at the pole, the two colours being separated with a nine-point serrated line.
- Weekend: Fridays and Saturdays
- Working Hours :
- Government offices : 7am–2 pm.
- Private establishments : 8am–12noon and 4–8 pm.
- Malls : stay open until 9–10pm (closed Friday).
- Banks : 7:30am–1pm (closed Fridays and Saturdays).
- Local Time : 3 hours + Greenwich Mean Time.
- Climate :
- Winter : 20-30°Celsius
- Summer : 25-48°Celsius.
- Electrical Current : 220-240 Volts / 50 hertz.
- Tipping : a 10% tip is considered adequate in most places.
- Economy :
- Main minerals: crude oil, natural gas
- Main agricultural products: fruits, vegetables
- Industries and products: oil production and refining, fertilizers, petrochemicals, steel, cement.
- Main exports: petroleum products, steel, liquefied gas fertilizers, liquefied gas.
- Main imports: foodstuffs, beverages, animal and vegetable, chemicals, machinery and equipment.
