The small Persian Gulf nation of Qatar has just been named
the host of the 2022 World Cup. Until now, many people have
never heard of this country. Qatar is an increasingly
popular vacation spot in the Arabian Peninsula, and for
anyone who doesn't want to wait until 2022 to discover
what this oil-rich nation has to offer, here is how to get
the most from a visit to Qatar.
!! Steps !!
* Learn as much as you can about the country. Here are
some basic facts: Qatar is roughly the size of Connecticut and
shares a border with Saudi Arabia. It is governed by a monarchy,
the Al-Thani family, that has been in power since the mid-1800s.
The current heads of state is Amir Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani.
Qatar is home to 840,000 people and sits on the world's
third-largest oil reserves. Arabic is the official language,
though English is widely used. Qatar is serviced by its national
aircarrier, Qatar Airways, plus several other major airlines.
* Pack for the weather. Qatar is a desert nation with summer
temperatures often exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees
Celsius) with intermittent humidity that can reach 90%. Winters
are milder, making November through March the more popular time of
year to visit. As a necessity, most buildings are equipped with
air conditioning and people rarely spend time outdoors.
Nonetheless, it is good to stock up on sunscreen and dress in
layers—the recommended desert attire—to protect from the sun
and sand but keep warm during cool nights.
* Take safety precautions. According to the U.S. Department of
State, Qatar has a low crime rate and violence is rare, making it
one of the safer places to visit in the Middle East. A lack of
international disputes translates to fewer security threats as
well. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends a
typhoid vaccination for anyone traveling to the Middle East.
* See the sights of Doha. Doha is the capital of Qatar
and also the nation's largest city and home to many of its
attractions. This rapidly developing metropolitan is the home of
the Al-Jazeera satellite TV channel and plays host to the Doha
Tribeca Film Festival, a festival founded in part by the
prestigious Tribeca Film Festival in New York, each October.
* Visit the Gold Souq. Whether or not you actually want
to buy any gold, the souq (marketplace) is a great place to
experience a longstanding tradition and get a taste of a
pre-modern Doha.
* Ostriches have been introduced by the Qatar government;
the indiginous Arabic Ostrich became extinct somewhere around the
mid-20th century. Explore the desert. The Khor Al-Adaid, also
known as the Inland Sea, is a stretch of water surrounded by sand
dunes that offers stunning scenery. Gulf Adventures offers tours
to the area that include a barbecue and overnight stay. Also
available are "dune bashing" rides-a high-speed trek across
towering dunes in an off-road vehicle.
* Visit neighboring tourist destinations. Qatar is among a cluster
of Gulf nations that are growing in tourism and cultural exports.
Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates are both nearby and are known
for their luxury hotels, dramatic skylines and 5-star dining.
There are daily buses available to Jordan, Syria, Bahrain, Dubai
and Abu Dhabi from Qatar, but be sure to acquire a transit visa
for Saudi Arabia ahead of time.
!! Video !!
!! Tips !!
* Qatar is pronounced "ka-tar"
!! Warnings !!
* Qatar abides by Islamic law, which means alcohol, pork and
pornography are prohibited. The U.S. Department of State warns
that customs officials strictly regulate the importation of any
forbidden materials. Non-Islamic religious material is permitted
for personal use but not for proselytizing.
* The U.S. Department of State also warns that foreign visitors are
expected to respect tradition and not wear excessively revealing
clothing, though bathing suits can be warn by tourists at spas,
resorts or private beaches.
!! Sources And Citations !!
* U.S. Department of State (travel.state.gov)
* CIA World Factbook (cia.gov)
* Lonely Plane (lonelyplanet.com)
* Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (cdc.gov)
* Doha Film Institute (dohafilminstitute.com)
* Gulf Adventures (gulf-adventures.com)
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