Qatar , officially called as State of Qatar, independent emirate (1995 est. pop. 534,000), 4,400 sq mi (11,400 sq km), on a largely barren peninsula in the Persian Gulf having its land border with Saudi Arabia .
The capital of the State of Qatar is Doha . Doha is widely recognized because of its international connections. Doha got more name and fame after successful hosting of the 2006 Asian Games. Since many decades, the economy of the State of Qatar has been dominated by Oil and Natural gas. It comprises of about 70% of the total export. Qatar is a diverse country having their inhabitants from various countries like India , Pakistan , Bangladesh , and many others. You will find people from different regions of Arabs in Qatar . The official language of Qatar is Arabic but because of its diversity, you can think about any language and you will find it in Qatar . The second most widely spoke language after Arabic is English and then other languages like Urdu, Hindi etc

A Brief Look into the History of Qatar

It has been discovered that the early habitation in Qatar dates back into the history to 4th century BC. This assumption is made through various discoveries and observations like inscriptions, rock cravings etc. Al Wasil hills, in Qatar , are still considered to be an important site for archeological research. Another interesting fact is that there had been several sites, dates back to various eras of the Stone Age, discovered in the area of Umm Bab. Still there are many sites like the one in Dukhan or in the south east part of Mesaieed that has plenty more to be discovered.

The seafaring canaanties, as referred by various Greek Historians, are considered to be the original inhabitants of Qatar . Furthermore, according to a geographer Ptolemy, Zubara (A town in Qatar ) was the most famous trading port in the Gulf in ancient times.

According to the Islamic history of the State of Qatar, in the 7 th Century AD, the Qatari region and its surrounded regions were under the rule of Al Munzir Arabs. The king of Al Munzir Arabs; Al-Munzir Ibn Sawi-al-Tamimi accepted Islam and because of that Qatar adopted Islamic civilization.

Entertainment

Qatar has a lot to offer to fulfill your needs for entertainment. Qatar has now become world-renowned after successful hosting of many international sporting events like 15 th Asian Games in the year 2006 and many other events of Football, Squash, Tennis, golf etc. For each and every single form of game, there is a separate club in Qatar , whether it is car racing, animal racing (horse and camels usually), boat racing, bowling, cricket etc. For each and every sport, you will find a club in Qatar . This shows how well Qatar has been promoting sports in the country. The Golf club in Qatar is one of the most popular in the Gulf.

Travelers usually go to the beautiful beaches, sports club, deserts, museums, giant shopping malls and local forts for the sake of entertainment. If you are visiting you're your family then you must feel happy as Qatar offers you one of the most entertaining environments for children of all ages. Aladdin Kingdom (park) is considered to be one of the best of its kind in Qatar .

Museum is considered to be another source of entertainment for all travelers. Whenever you visit a country, you should always visit the museum first since it will give you a picture of its past. There are many museums in Doha that will be discussed briefly later in this e-guide; including the National Museum , Weaponry Museum etc. Doha offer many cinemas, restaurants and bars for the sake of evening and night entertainment. Restaurants offer cuisines from almost all countries of the world so don't worry about your home food, you'll definitely find it in Qatar .

Cruises and Water Sports – Qatar provide many opportunities for water sports since it is surrounded by the Arabian Gulf . If you are keen in water sports, then you have got plenty of options available in Qatar . You can go for pedal boats, water cycles, surfing, wind surfing, etc. All necessary equipments are easily available at affordable rents. You can also go for a nice deep sea fishing experience whilst enjoying on your boat.

Desert Safari – Like in other Gulf Regions like Dubai , a trip to a desert is considered to be the ideal point of entertainment. A trip to a desert with a 4 wheel drive car is the best way to spend the day; especially for the youth. But you should always go with experienced drivers that will accompany you throughout your journey and let them drive the 4-wheel drive car as they are expert in this business. It's very difficult to drive a 4-wheel drive car up and down in the desert, particularly if you are a novice driver. So always ask for a tour operator to drive the car in the desert.

Corniche – One of the most famous places of entertainment and leisure in Qatar is the 7 km Corniche where you must go for a stroll. This 7 km road runs parallel to the warm water of Arabian Gulf . It offers a great nearby park for children and a peaceful environment for adults.

Cinemas – If you ever want to catch the latest movie, then you can head towards several cinemas in Qatar . All Giant Centres in Qatar like City Center , Landmark, Hayat Plaza have got large cinemas that shows latest movies from various regions.

Coffee Shops/Nightclubs and Bars – Most of the hotels have got Coffee shops that have extended their working hours; hence providing an opportunity to relax and enjoy. Most hotels have nightclubs and bars where alcohol is served. Drinking alcohol outside the premises of the bar is not allowed in the State of Qatar.

Ice Skating/Bowling – For all fans of Ice Skating, head towards the City Centre since it has got many ice skating rinks where you can go and enjoy for little rents. If you love to enjoy Bowling then you must visit the Qatar Bowling Centre that offers ten-pin bowling in a 32-lane facility.

Tennis Courts/Swimming Pools/Fitness Centres – Definitely you will be staying in a hotel when you visit Qatar . You will find lots of entertainment opportunities in almost all hotels of Qatar . For instance, all major hotels in Qatar offer facilities like tennis or squash courts, pools, fitness gyms, massage centers, musical events etc.

  Sports

After the Asian games 2006, Qatar has now become one of the most exciting sports destinations and it is planning to continue this expansion and build bigger and better infrastructures in order to house various sports events. Qatar had successfully hosted the Asian Games 2006 with an unforgettable opening ceremony and provided exceptional facilities to the visitors. The opening ceremony was held in the Khalifa Stadium that can accommodate more than 45,000 spectators.

Apart from the most famous Khalifa Stadium, there are many other stadiums that host various games at national and international levels; like the Khalifa Tennis Court, Squash Stadium (having 17 courts), an 18 holes golf ground, pools, gymnasium and much more. Apart from these, there are lots of new sporting facilities that are being developed currently. For the 2006 Asian Games, Qatar constructed a complete Sports Village that provided houses to 10,000 athletes. Horse racing tracks, pools, bowling alley were the other areas of construction before the 2006 Asian Games.

Football: Every country has a craze on a specific sport or sporting event. For example, you will find people going mad after cricket in Asian Countries. Similarly, the youth of Qatar are hardcore fan of Football. Qatar organizes many football events and Qatari Football Team is considered to be one of the best in its comparison with other Middle-east Football Teams. There are many football stadiums in Qatar including the main Khalifa Stadium, Al-Wakrah Stadium etc.

Horse Racing – Horse and Camel racing are considered to be the oldest and the most favorite sport of the gulf from ancient times. The Equestrian Club, located in Qatar , organizes various seasonal horse and camel race. People from outside the country often come here in Qatar to visit the annual International horse beauty contests.  

Falconry – Falcons have been originally used for hunting games. Even today, in Qatar , falconry is still considered as a very attractive and worth-seeing sport activity. The hunting season usually starts from October till March. Before the seasons, these falcons are trained for the hunting season. Falcons can fly at a speed of 100 km/hr. These beautiful and powerful birds are handled with good care and diet.

Golfing – If you are an enthusiastic player of Golf, then Doha Golf Club is a must-visit place for you. Spread over an area of 7,181 yard with 18 holes, the Doha Golf Club has the honor of hosting many national and international championship Golf events. Should you wish to join an academy before joining the Doha Golf Club, you can easily join the 9 hole clubhouse having various club shops in it.

Water Sports – If you are keen in water sports, then you have got plenty of options available in Qatar . You can go for pedal boats, water cycles, surfing, wind surfing, etc. All necessary equipments are easily available at affordable rents. You can also go for a nice deep sea fishing experience whilst enjoying on your boat.

Major Hotels in Qatar

The Sheraton Hotel:

The oldest and the most famous hotel in Qatar ; The Sheraton Hotel; also known as the Pyramid of the Gulf, is a must visit hotel in Qatar . It houses 363 rooms and suites; all equipped with modern facilities and suitable for everyone. It provides a great standard of luxury for royal guests as well. The location of the Sheraton Hotel, on the beach, gives it an edge over the other 5 star hotels in Qatar . The hotel also houses many shops that offer various items including gifts to the visitors. The hotel is quite close to one of the biggest shopping Mall in Qatar ; The City Center. Sheraton hotel is also a famous venue for many international conferences.

The Ramada Plaza Hotel:

Ramada Hotel is one of the most famous hotels in Qatar . If you are visiting Qatar for the first time then you must visit this classic Ramada Plaza Hotel. You can go there for dining, relaxing, staying etc. It is located in the centre of the capital of Qatar ; Doha . The hotel has 584 bedrooms and suites. All room are fully furnished and equipped with all modern facilities that you can think about. The hotel also has Wi-Fi connectivity that you can use 24 hrs.

The Doha Seef Hotel:

The Doha Seef Hotel is another beautiful hotel located close to the Corniche. With its located close to the Doha International Airport (almost 5 minutes drive), it is ideal for all visitor. It is widely recognized because of its traditional hospitality and modern facilities.

The Millennium Hotel:

It is one of the famous Five Star Hotels in Qatar . It is considered to be one of the most luxurious hotels in Qatar . It has 7 floors that offers modern rooms, suites and is located at the heart of the commercial area of the city.

Doha Marriott:

A business traveler or a traveler seeking leisure can't ask for more than Doha Marriott hotel since it offers almost all desirable facilities to the visitors. The hotel is quite near to the Doha International Airport . Facilities include tennis courts, private beaches, fitness centre, restaurants, pool etc. The hotel also houses a big conference hall for various social or business events. The rooms are equipped with the highest possible standards of living including high speed internet connectivity, satellite TV and much more.

Arriving to Qatar (Airports)

The only International and commercial Airport in Qatar ; has lot to offer to its visitors. It offers a large duty free shop, Wi Fi connectivity, cafeterias and restaurants. The length of its huge runway is approximately 15,000 ft. With its great architecture, the New Doha International Airport is currently under construction. You can expect your arrival there in early 2010 or late 2009. The New Airport will replace the current Doha International Airport .

Getting Around (Transport):

There are various options to hang around in Qatar . Most of the residents use their own car to get around in Qatar while other, depending on their living, uses various public transportations; Buses, Taxis, Rental cars or Limousines. Almost all of these transportation options, excluding few limousines, have been provided by a company known as Mowasalat (Karwa). Below are some of the means of transportation that you will find in Qatar .

Buses:

Bus service in Qatar started in October 2005 and gradually expanded their routes to cover all parts of the country. Buses, provided by Mowasalat (Karwa), are considered to be the primary transportation option other than private cars. It is recommended because of its affordable rates and since it covers almost all parts of Qatar including far south (Mesaieed), far west (Dukhan) and far north (Al Shamal). On an average, though may vary from time to time, these bus services cost 3 riyals for a round inside the city and approximately 7 riyals outside the city. Since these buses are crowded during peak times, so, it is always advised to be watchful against pickpocket.

Rental Car

It is obvious that tourist won't go after buying their own car. That is why all tourists prefer either rental cars or cars provided by airport services or major hotels. You can enjoy driving the rental cars if you have a valid international driving license. If you have a UK driving license then you can apply for a temporary license in Qatar . Since driving, in the UK , is on the left-hand side, therefore it might take a while to get yourself accustomed to the right-hand side drive in Qatar .

Rental cars are available at various places in Qatar with minimum price of approximately 1500 per month (mostly depending upon the car). There are many rental places available in Qatar . It is always recommended to reserve a car before you arrive in Qatar . If you haven't done so, don't worry, you can easily rental cars from the airport as well.

Luxurious Limousines

If you are looking for an alternative of a buses or taxis, then the ideal transportation option for you is to use limousine services. You just need to give them a call in order to identify your location. Limousines are although an expensive option but are considered to be the most comfortable transportation form. Limousines fares usually start from 30 Qatari riyals (rates changes often).

Taxis

The classic orange and white taxis in Qatar are considered to be the most economical service after buses. Although they are getting obsolete with the introduction of new blue taxis but still you will be able to find these on the road sides. Other than these taxis, you might often find private taxis on the streets that will offer you a ride; obviously not for free. These private taxis are not insured like other Limousines; moreover these private taxis are often not air-conditioned and don't necessarily have drivers that are knowledgeable about the routes. But these private taxis allow you to bargain unlike blue Karwa Taxis or Orange-white taxis that uses digital meter to calculate the rent.

ATTRACTIONS (MUSEUMS & FORTS)

Although Qatar is a small country but it has a diverse culture and it has lot to offer to the visitors. There are lots of attractions in Qatar that reflect its culture and history. Out of many, following are few of the most famous attractions that you will find in Qatar .

Museums

It is always recommended to visit the museum of a country in order to have a glance at the history and culture of the country. There are many museums in Qatar but the most common of them are mentioned below

Qatar National Museum

If you are visiting Qatar for the first time then you must visit the Qatar National Museum which is located on the eastern part of the famous Qatar Corniche. The museum has lot to take you back into the geological history of Qatar . The museum also houses many Islamic artifacts of ancient time. Within this National Museum , there is a small maritime museum and a lagoon as well that shows the traditional wooden boats and famous fishes of Qatar .

Before planning your visit to the Qatar National Museum , do note down the timings. The museum remains open from 9am to 12 pm (except Friday and Saturday) and from 4 pm to 7 pm (except Saturday). If you are visiting the Museum along with your family then you should go on the day that is assigned only for families i.e., Tuesday.

Apart from the main National Museum of Qatar, there are other several, and relatively smaller, museums in Qatar . For example

Al Khor Museum

Another famous museum of Qatar is the Al Khor museum which is located in the city of Al-Khor located almost 57 km north of the capital of Qatar; Doha. The museum has two floors; the upper floor displays many discoveries made during excavation of the Al-Khor area and the ground floor houses anthropological life.

Al Wakrah Museum

Al- Wakrah is another great city of Qatar . It is located almost 18 km south of Doha . The Al- Wakrah Museum is a small museum that displays the marine life of Qatar .

Weaponry Museum

This is one of the most interesting museums in Qatar since it houses many traditional and historical weapons like swords, daggers etc along with various classic accessories.

Major Forts:

There are many historical forts in Qatar . Almost all of the forts are open all weekdays for general public and usually the entrance is free to all forts. Out of many, some of the most well-known forts in Qatar are mentioned here.

Al Zubara Fort

One of the most famous Fort in Qatar ; Al Zubara Fort is located 105 km northwest of the capital; Doha . The entrance is free for all and is usually for public all weekdays except Fridays and Saturdays.

Doha Fort (Al Koot)

Like Al- Zubara fort, the Doha Fort is open all weekdays except Fridays and Saturdays and the entrance is free of charge. It is amongst the remaining military forts in Qatar .

Umm Salal Muhammad Fort

Umm Salal Fort is one of the remaining residential forts that date back to the 19 th Century. It is located almost 21 km from the capital of Qatar .

World's Largest Shopping Cart

If you visit Qatar , then you must watch the World's Largest Shopping Cart , which is located outside the Hayatt Plaza in Qatar . This giant shopping cart is the largest of its kind in Qatar . Its name has also been included in the Guinness Book of World Records.