QATAR  >  MIDDLE EAST  >  INDEX


Municipalities Qatar : Ad Dawhah, Al Ghuwayriyah, Al Jumayliyah, Al Khawr, Al Wakrah, Ar Rayyan, Jarayan al Batnah, Ash Shamal, Umm Salal

Surrounded by water on three sides, Qatar is a peninsula in the Persian Gulf (*) with its only land border existing at the southern end where Qatar meets Saudi Arabia. The entire county is approximately 240 kilometres from north to south, and less than 160 kilometres wide.

Captial of van Qatar: Doha.


car hire, hotels, travel agencies, travel guides, transportation / traveling to qatar

links


Car Rental Qatar

 Avis
World's second largest general-use car rental business, providing business and leisure customers with a wide range of services.
 Budget Rent A Car
 Hertz

Hotels in Qatar

 All-hotels.com 
 Expedia.com

 The Ritz-Carlton Doha
 Sheraton Doha Hotel and Resort
 Doha Marriott Gulf Hotel
 Ramada
 Hotel Sofitel Doha
 Movenpick Hotel
 Rydges Plaza Doha
 Oasis Hotel and Beach Club
 Al Sadd Merweb

Tour Operators / Travel Agents



 Destination Doha And Beyond
A unique, highly-principled and personal service. Thoroughly experienced in arranging holidays of genuine quality, reliability and value, Destination Doha And Beyond caters for discerning clients who are entitled to expect to enjoy every minute of every hour of every day of their leisure experience.
 Tropical Locations - specialist travel organiser

Travel Guides Qatar / Related Books

Qatar Complete Residents' Guide 
Packed with vital information and advice, the Qatar Explorer is the essential guide for residents, short-term visitors, business people and tourists. Keen to follow in the footsteps of Dubai, Qatar is fast climbing up the list of exciting destinations. The "Qatar Explorer" is a fact-filled resource, covering every topic relevant to life in this emerging country. It's an insider's guide to the administrative hurdles of living in Qatar from visas and driving licenses to setting up home and opening a bank account. It contains independent reviews of over 200 restaurants bars and cafes. Pleasure, leisure and sporting activities for all ages. Every nook and cranny worth exploring.
Paperback 360 pages (December 2005); Publisher: Explorer Publishing; Language: English; ISBN: 9768182539
This Way Gulf States: Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Yemen
Around the Arabian Gulf lie hot, hazy lands of modern myth and ancient legend, where skyscrapers sparkle on the edge of the desert, where mud-brick fortresses crumble into the sand. Beyond the hasty, square-cut cities of glass and concrete, labyrinthine villages, palm-shaded oases and lazy beaches await discovery. This Way the Gulf States brushes aside the veil to reveal the culture, the history and mysteries of these intriguing countries.
Paperback 124 pages (January 1997); Publisher: JPM Publications SA; Language: English; ISBN: 2884520996.
Living and Working in the Gulf States & Saudi Arabia 
Robert Hughes, Graeme Chesters, Jim Watson (Illustrator)
A comprehensive guide for anyone contemplating working in the Gulf States and Saudi Arabia, this book covers everything a person could need to live, work, study or just to spend time in the region.
Paperback 400 pages (April 9, 2003); Publisher: Survival Books; Language: English; ISBN: 1901130215

Transport / How do I travel to Qatar

 Doha Airport
 Air Qatar

 Emirates US  -  Flight tickets Doha

 Airline Tickets / Bargain Flights

 Online Map of Qatar [ Uni Texas - Perry-Castañeda Library - Map Collection ]

The Rough Guide to Dubai & Uae Map 
The Rough Guide Map Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Bahrain is the most detailed and comprehensive map to this intriguing destination. The scale of 1:470,000 allows for enough detail to include even the smallest dirt tracks and settlements whilst also being a manageable size for use in the car or whilst walking. Pinpointed on the map are places of interest, including archeological sites, oases, nature reserves, desert and dunes. Whether you're heading off the beaten track or on a stopover in dubai this map is your essential companion.
Map 1 pages (September 30, 2004); Publisher: Rough Guides; Language: English; ISBN: 1843533758


Links 

 Travel Insurance  -  online travel and holiday insurance

 Experience Qatar  -  The Official website of Qatar - Qatar Tourism Authority
 Ministry of Foreign Affairs  -  lots of info
Major Cities, Tourist Attractions, Major Museums & Forts, Hotels & Clubs, Shopping Malls, Restaurants & Internet Cafes etc.

 Ministry of Internal Affairs Qatar  -  info about a visum etc.

 Doha City - Qatar Guide
A bayside city half way down the east coast, which is the cultural and commercial heart of Qatar and the home to 50% per cent of its population.
Like many cities in the region, Doha is an intriguing mixture of old and new, of ancient Arabic tradition and modern metropolitan life.

 Ad Dawhah [ baladiyah ]
 Al Bida Park  
This park lies on Doha Corniche. It has grass areas, children rides, a popular market and restaurants. It opens around the clock and entrance is free of charge. 
 Al Ghuwayriyah
 Al Jassasiya  
Al Jassasiya are a range of rocky hills overlooking the northeastern coast of the country between the two villages of Al Huwailah and Fuwairit. They are famous for their numerous stone carvings and engravings, some of which date back to prehistoric times.
 Al Jumayliyah
 Al Khawr / Alkhor - north of Qatar [ 57km ]
Until the early 1940s the town used to be a thriving port and pearl fishing center. Other trades have started to replace those bussiness, and the town teems with relics that testify to the town's venerable history. Its fine mosques, its museum that houses valuable archeological pieces and acquisitions and its historical towers are some examples of those relics
 Al Wakrah - a small town situated halfway between Doha and Mesaieed
Al Wakrah is the center for a booming commercial fishing industry and has an old fishing port, which is still in use to date. The town is famous for its fine mosques and many houses reflecting the old Islamic architecture style.
 Ar Rayyan
 Jarayan al Batnah
 Ash Shamal
 Shahaniya  
Is situated 60km west of Doha and has a purpose-built camel racetrack. It is famous for camel races.
 Umm Salal
 Camel Race / Horse Race
In springtime, Qatar is always the place to watch the famous Camel races and the Arabian horse shows including the Endurance race of 120 KM in the south desert.
 Daily news - Gulf Times
 Daily news - The Peninsula
 Falconry
These birds of prey were used originally by Bedouins to hunt game, providing an important addition to their diets. In Qatar today, the tradition of falconry remains a major sporting activity during the hunting season from October to March.
 Kingdom of Aladin, West Bay
Kingdom of Aladdin lies in the West Bay area. It has more than 18 game features to suit all age groups. It also has a rest house, an artificial lagoon, a theater and a cafeteria
 Magazine - Marhaba
Containing an introduction to the country, places to stay, things to do, it is a great resource for visitors.
 Palm Tree Island  
The Palm Tree Island is 10- minute boat ride off Doha Corniche. The Island has children and family amenities, a restaurant offering seafood and barbecue meals and a cafe serving snacks and refreshments.There is also a jetty for traditional Dhow boats close to Doha Sheraton Hotel on the Corniche waterfront.
 Radio Sawa - live radio
One of the guiding principles of Radio Sawa is that the long-range interests of the United States are served by communicating directly in Arabic with the peoples of the Middle East by radio.
 Radio Qatar - broadcasting in arabic, french and english
 Sealine Beach Resort  
Situated 55 km from the capital, the resort offers a large variety of rooms, villas and chalets, all with a sea view. The resort also has many sports and recreational activities and a number of restaurants, alongside with meeting and conference facilities.
 TV - Aljazeera - Qatar-based satellite television channel
 TV - Qatar Television
 Nightlife
Local nightlife is found in traditional shi-sha places and coffee houses. The shi-sha is the Arabian water pipe; very popular amongst local people and foreigners.
Int'l nightlife in Qatar is limited due to strict religious rules and mainly takes place in the modern international hotels, such as the Marriott, the Mövenpick, the Sheraton, the InterContinental, The Ritz Carlton, The Sofitel and The Ramada Hotel. All of these hotels have excellent bars and discotheques and nightclubs. For instance, The Admirals Club of the Ritz Carlton hosts a state of the art European style Lounge Café, open to members only.
 University of Qatar

Cuisine - Arabian cooking / Qatarian ???

While Arabian cuisine is based on the traditional foods of the nomadic tribes – who ate what they could carry – Qatari cuisine is based on the traditional foods of just about anywhere and everywhere! In keeping with its historic status as an international entrepôt, Qatar takes an international approach to eating out. Chinese, Indian , Japanese and Thai flavours mingle with those of Italy, France, the Mediterranean, Mexican and beyond. However, no visitor should miss the chance to sample local specialties. Supremely fresh fish and seafood from the Arabian Gulf is an obvious choice, with lobster, crab, shrimp, tuna, kingfish and red snapper topping the list of favourites. Meat dishes tend to be based on lamb – the nomadic tribes people would be accompanied by flocks of sheep – slow-cooked and served with a variety of side dishes>

Common Arabian specialties include hummus (a paste made from chickpeas and sesame seeds), tabbouleh (chopped parsley, mint and crushed wheat); ghuzi (a whole roast lamb served on a bed of rice with pine -nuts), koussa mahsi (stuffed courgettes), and shawarma, grilled slivers of lamb or chicken, wrapped with salad in a pocket of Arab bread. Qatari specialties include matchbous (spiced lamb with rice), hareis (slow -cooked wheat and lamb) and seafood served with delicately-seasoned rice. Favourite desserts include a type of bread pudding called Umm Ali (literally, "Mother of Ali"), a sweet cheesecake with a cream topping, known as esh asaraya ("bread of the harem"), and mehalabiya, a pudding made with pistachios and rose -water. Breakfast is served early by western standards, and traditionally consists of yoghurt, cheese, olives and fruits washed down with strong coffee. Lunch is the main meal of the day, while dinner is a much lighter meal (except during Ramadan) and is usually served late in the evening.

 Culinair - arabian recipes
Cooking of the Gulf - Tess Mallos
Even the most serious and well-travelled of cooks would be amazed at the vast array of spices and fresh ingredients available in the markets of the Gulf States. The arid landscape of the region contrasts remarkably with the abundance of food and flavours. Cooking of the Gulf enables you to bring these unique flavours into your kitchen. With easy-to-prepare recipes, you will be able to delight family and friends with the aromatic flavours of Arabic cooking.
Paperback 64 pages (May 1, 2004); Publisher: Parkway Publishing; Language: English; ISBN: 1898259062

History of Qatar

Independent of the UK on September 3, 1971.

Qatar has a rich and vibrant history, a history that can be traced back as far as 4000 BC. Throughout the centuries, the fishing and pearling trades have established Qatar as an important port in the Gulf. With the expansion and growth of its oil and gas industry, the port and the country maintain their international importance.

Some nice museums, such as the Weaponry Museum, the National Museum, the Qatar Heritage Museum and the Museum of Islamic and Arabian Art, owned by HH Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al-Thani.

The Ottoman Gulf : The Creation of Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, 1870-1914 
Frederick F. Anscombe
Aiming to dispel the notion that Britain is exclusively responsible for the formation of the Persian Gulf's modern states, this text puts into perspective the central roles played by the Ottoman empire and explains the reasons behind the Ottoman occupation of the Persian Gulf in 1871.
Paperback 288 pages (January 1998); Publisher: Columbia University Press; Language: English; ISBN: 0231108397

Music, Culture & Entertainment

Primarily a Bedouin culture, Qatar's traditions are based on poetry and song, while amazing art is created through weaving. Using tools made from both wood and gazelle horn, weavers work with sheep, goat, and camel wool to create beautiful rugs, tents, and cushions.

 Aramusic.com - Arabian music

Web Portals / Search engine / Directories

 Qatar Guide - web directory, yellow pages / gele gids enz
 Embassy of Qatar - tourism
 Planet Qatar
PlanetQatar is your neutral online marketplace, wherein people intrested in announcing, finding, buying, renting or selling of anything find a common platform to do so in Qatar and people with interests in Qatar.

 Arabbye.com - Search Engine For The Arab World
 Zorona.com - Gateway to the Arab World 


*) The controversial term Arabian Gulf, the subject of the Persian Gulf naming dispute, may refer to the : a.) Persian Gulf, the internationally recognized name and b) Red Sea, an older name rarely used by some European nations until the nineteenth century. See Persian Gulf naming dispute.


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