General Information About Qatar

Qatar is a peninsula situated halfway along the West Coast of the Arabian Gulf. It has a number of islands, the most important of which are Halool, Shira'aw, Al-Ashat and others. Its topography consists of a rocky flat surface with some limestone outcrops in Dukhan area in the west and Fuwairit area in the north. The surface is full with characteristic depressions called Rawdat, particularly in the north and central plants.


Country Name

- State of Qatar

- دولة قطر

- Dawlat Qatar

Flag of Qatar Qatar 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.

Coat of arms Coat of Arms

The coat of arms was introduced in 1976 and replaced another emblem (which was used since 1966), and consisted of two bent swords, one Pearl shell and two palm tree-branches with the label "Qatar".

City Qatar

Doha city, capital of Qatar, on the east coast of the Qatar Peninsula, in the Arabian Gulf. About three-fifths of Qatar's population lives within the city's limits. Situated on a shallow bay.

Official languages Language

Arabic is the official language in Qatar, and English is widely spoken.

Religion

Islam is the official religion of the country, and the Shariah (Islamic Law) is the principal source of legislation in the country.

Government

- Absolute Monarchy

- Emir : Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani

- Prime Minister : Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani

Independence Independance

- current ruling family came to power : December 18, 1878

- independence from the United Kingdom : September 3, 1971

Area

- Total : 11,437 km2 (164th) 4,416 sq. mi.

- Water (%) : negligible

Population Population

- October 2008 estimate : 1,541,130

- 2004 census : 744,029[5] (159th)

- Density : 74/km2 (121st) 192/sq. mi.

GDP

(PPP) 2008 estimate

- Total : $95.130 billion

- Per capita : $86,669

(Nominal) 2008 estimate

- Total : $116.851billion

- Per capita : $106,459

Currency Currency

Qatari riyal (QAR). Each Qatari riyal is divided into 100 dirhams. Notes in circulation: QAR1, QAR5, QAR10, QAR50, QAR100 and QAR500. QAR0.50 (fifty dirhams) and QAR0.25. Smaller Coins are also legal Tender.

Public Holidays Holidays

National Day : 18 December

Eid Al-Fitr : At the 1st of Shawwal for four days.

Eid Al- Adha : starts at 9th of Zilhijjah for five days.

Working Hours Working Hours

Government offices: 7 am to 2 pm.

Private establishments: 8 am to 12 noon, and 4 pm to 8 pm.

Friday and Saturday are the weekend holidays.

Shopping Center: 10 am to 10 pm

Time zone Local Time

3 hours + Greenwich Mean Time.)

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