Brief information
More recently, Qatar was a forgotten country in the Persian Gulf. However, as it turned out, there are very large deposits of oil and gas in Katera, and therefore the country has been actively developing in recent decades, including in terms of tourism. Tourists in Qatar are waiting for a desert safari, Bedouin villages, rich markets, ancient mosques with minarets, camel races, and, of course, excellent long sandy beaches on the Persian Gulf.
Geography of Qatar
Qatar is located on the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia. In the south, Qatar borders on Saudi Arabia (this is its only land border). A strait in the Persian Gulf separates Qatar from the neighboring island nation of Bahrain. The total area of Qatar is 11,586 square meters. km., and the total length of the state land border is only 60 km.
Most of Qatar is desert. In the south of Qatar there are high hills, and in the north – a sandy plain with oases. The highest point in the country is Qurayn Abu al Bawl (103 meters).
Capital
According to itypemba.com, the capital of Qatar is Doha, which is now home to more than 600 thousand people. Doha was built in 1825 (then called Al Bida).
Official language
The official language of the population of Qatar is Arabic, belonging to the Semitic group of the Afroasian language family.
Religion
More than 77% of the population of Qatar are Muslims (72% are Sunnis, 5% are Shiites). Another 8.5% are Christians.
State structure
According to equzhou.net, Qatar is an absolute monarchy headed by the Emir of the al-Thani dynasty. By the way, the al-Thani dynasty has ruled Qatar since 1825, i.e. since the formation of this state.
The power of the Emir in Qatar is absolute, and he is guided by the principles of Sharia when governing the country. It is the Emir who appoints the Prime Minister, ministers and members of the Consultative Council (35 people), which has legislative power. All laws in Qatar are approved by the Emir.
Climate and weather
Winters in Qatar are mild and summers are very hot. In January, the air temperature drops to +7C, and in August it rises to +45C. The average annual rainfall is 80 mm. The best time to visit Qatar is from October to May.
Sea in Qatar
Qatar is bordered by the Persian Gulf on all sides except the south. The total coastline is 563 km. The coast in Qatar is sandy with numerous small islands, sandbars and reefs.
Story
People on the territory of modern Qatar lived, according to archaeologists, even 7.5 thousand years ago. Around 178 BC. the inhabitants of Qatar traded with the ancient Greeks and Romans (they were intermediaries in the trade of Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome with India).
In the 7th century AD. Islam began to spread on the territory of modern Qatar, and the country became part of the Arab Caliphate.
At the beginning of the 16th century, Portugal had a great influence in the Persian Gulf, including Qatar. Portuguese merchants buy gold, silver, silk, pearls and horses in the Persian Gulf countries.
In 1783, Qatar fell under the rule of Bahrain, and this continued until 1868. In 1871, Qatar became part of the Ottoman Empire. In 1916, Qatar seceded from the Ottoman Empire, but fell under the protectorate of Great Britain.
Only in 1971 did Qatar gain independence from Great Britain.
Culture of Qatar
Culture and traditions in Qatar were formed under the influence of Islam, and daily life in this country complies with Sharia standards. There are two main religious holidays in Qatar – Eid al-Fitr, which lasts three days in honor of the end of Ramadan, and Eid al-Adha (we know it as Eid al-Adha). Eid al-Adha is celebrated 70 days after Eid al-Fitra.
Kitchen
The traditional cuisine of Qatar has been heavily influenced by immigrants from Iran and India, and more recently from North Africa.
Many traditional Qatari dishes are based on seafood (especially lobster, crab, shrimp, tuna, and snapper). All meat in Kater is “halal”, i.e. complies with Islamic law.
One of the most popular traditional dishes in Qatar is machbous, which is a stew with rice or seafood. Also in Qatar, we recommend that tourists try Hummus (chickpea puree with sesame seeds), Waraq enab (grape leaves stuffed with rice), Taboulleh (chopped wheat seasoned with parsley and mint), Koussa mahshi (stuffed zucchini), “Biriani” (rice with chicken or lamb), “Ghuzi” (lamb with rice and nuts).
As for desserts in Qatar, pistachio pudding, bread pudding with nuts and raisins, and cheesecake with cream should be highlighted.
Traditional soft drinks in Qatar are coffee, fruit waters and herbal teas. Coffee inhabitants of this country prefer Arabic flavored with cardamom or slightly sweetened, or thickly brewed Turkish coffee. Sometimes sweet coffee “qahwa helw” (with saffron, cardamom and sugar) is served.
Fruit waters and herbal decoctions are sold right on the streets in all cities of Qatar.
You can drink alcohol only in restaurants and hotels that have a special license.
Sights of Qatar
Despite the fact that Qatar has a very ancient history, there are not very many sights in this country. This is due to the geographical position of Qatar, which has many deserts. However, the Top 10 best attractions in Qatar, in our opinion, may include the following:
- Umm Salal Mohammed Fort
- Mounds of Umm Salal Ali
- Doha Weapons Museum
- Fort at Al Zubar
- Ancient fortifications in Al-Zubar
- Fort Al-Waibah
- Palace of Abdullah bin Mohammed
- Government Mosque in Doha
- Al Raqiyat Fort
- Al Rayyan Mosque
Cities and resorts
The largest cities in Qatar are Doha, Ar Rayyan, Al Wakra, Al Khor and Umm Salal.
As we have already said, Qatar is washed by the Persian Gulf from all sides, except for the south. The total coastline is 563 km. The coast in Qatar is sandy with numerous small islands, sandbars and reefs. You can swim in the sea wherever you want, the main thing is not to leave garbage behind.
The best beaches (i.e. resorts) in Qatar, in our opinion, are as follows:
– Al Ghariya Beach (80 km north of Doha)
– Dukhan (80 km west of Doha)
– Fuwairit Beach (80 km north of Doha)
– Khor Al Adaid (80 km south of Doha)
– Maroona (80 km north of Doha) – also known as French Beach
– Ras Abrouq (Bir Zekreet) (70 km west of Doha)
Souvenirs/Shopping
Tourists from Qatar usually bring handicrafts, Korans, gold jewelry, daggers, Dal-la coffee pot, bronze figurines, wooden boxes, henna, Arabic lamps, hookahs, rugs, scrolls with Arabic script, rosaries.
Office Hours
The working week in Qatar runs from Sunday to Thursday. Days off are Friday and Saturday. The official working day starts at 07:00 and ends at 15:30.
Banks:
Sun-Thu: 07:30-13:00 (some banks are open in the afternoon)
Shops:
Sun-Thu: 08:00-12:30 and 16:00-21:00
Visa
Ukrainians need a visa to visit Qatar.
Currency
The official currency in Qatar is the Qatari rial (its international designation is QAR). One rial = 100 dirhams. Credit cards are accepted by most hotels, restaurants and shops.
Customs restrictions
You can import and export foreign currency and Qatari rials in Qatar without any restrictions. You can import up to 400 cigarettes duty-free into Qatar, as well as personal items and gifts worth no more than 3,000 Qatari rials.
It is forbidden to import alcoholic beverages, Israeli currency, drugs, pornography, pork products, and religious literature (non-Muslim) into Qatar.
Useful phone numbers and addresses
The interests of Qatar in Ukraine are represented by the Embassy of Qatar in Russia:
Postcode: 117049, Moscow, st. Cow Val, 7
Т: (495) 980-6916
The interests of Ukraine in Qatar are represented by the Embassy of Ukraine in the UAE:
Abu Dhabi, UAE, Medinat Zayed area, POBox 45714 T:
(8 10 9712) 632 75 86
Email: [email protected]
Emergency numbers
999 – Police, Ambulance, Fire Brigade
Time
The difference with time in Kyiv is +1 hour. those. if in Kyiv it is 10:00, then in Doha it is 11:00.
Tips
Tipping in Qatar is not as widespread as, for example, in Europe or the USA. Tipping in some restaurants and hotels is 10% (this must be indicated on the menu).
The medicine
No mandatory vaccinations are required to visit Qatar. However, doctors recommend that tourists be vaccinated against typhoid fever, malaria, rabies, diphtheria, tetanus, hepatitis A and B before traveling to this country.
Security
The crime rate in Qatar is low. Even petty theft is quite rare. It should be remembered that the inhabitants of Qatar are Muslims who adhere to Sharia. Therefore, we recommend that women in Qatar always be in their own company, and not leave the hotel alone.
