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.
Land Area: 11, 437 square km
Population: 1,625,723 ( as of 28 February, 2009 ) According Qatar Statistics Authority (QSA)
Capital City: 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 Language: Arabic; English is also 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.
Climate: Qatar has a moderate desert climate with long hot summers and short pleasant winters with little rain in winter. The strong northwest wind, which often brings dust storms, is known as the shamal.
Major Towns: Doha, Al Wakrah, Al Khor, Dukhan, Al Shamal, Mesaieed, Ras Lafan
Currency: Qatari riyal (QAR). Each Qatari riyal is divided into 100 dirhams. Notes in circulation: QAR1, QAR5, QAR10, QAR50, QAR100 and QAR500. QAR 0.50 (fifty dirhams) and QAR 0.25. Smaller Coins are also legal Tender but are rarely seen.
Independence: Qatar gained independence on 3rd September 1971.
Local Time: 3 hours + Greenwich Mean Time
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