Visit Qatar

Surrounded by Saudi Arabia and the Persian Gulf, Qatar is an emirate in the Middle East with an area of ​​some 12000 square kilometers.

It is also a country which has very many natural resources: the country is not only an oil producing country (he is also a member of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries), but it also ranks third in producers of natural gas in the world and is the largest exporter of liquefied natural gas. So it is a very rich country who bet from the beginning of the decade on a policy of active tourism development. In 2000, Qatar has passed a law allowing foreign investment up to 100% in tourism projects. The country also has the same year of a Tourism Authority of Qatar (Qatar Tourism Authority) responsible for promoting and developing the tourism industry in the country. Already, the agency is responsible for organizing the festival wonders of summer in Qatar.

Not surprisingly, the country has a strong focus on developing its tourism infrastructure: the hospitality industry is currently almost 10,000 rooms in categories ranging from 3 to 5 stars (palaces there are many) and there are forecasts some 110 000 rooms over the next decade. The reason being particularly related to award the organization of the World Cup football in 2020, a priori highly unlikely event if one judges by the summer temperature of 50 degrees that often rules the emirate. Anyway, this sporting event will merit further strengthen the country's infrastructure: Qatar, which currently has no public transportation, has pledged to build trains, and even at high speeds with Bahrain and hotels and not necessarily of 5 stars: a total investment of 50 billion to Riyadh should be allocated for the construction of these new hotels and restaurants over the next decade.

Icing on the cake: the emirate should also be able to take pride from the new international airport next year, a host 50 million passengers a year. But the ambitions of Qatar does not stop there: the emirate is also working on a proposed artificial island of 4.1 million square meters in the form of beads a few hundred meters from the side. Called the Pearl, this project, which started in July 2004, should be completed this year with two huge marinas, Pearl will comprise 80% of homes and 20% of the most luxurious shopping and will have about 35 kilometers of beaches.

Tourist emerging nation, Qatar has already a number of strengths. It can be done seaside tourism in Al-Khor, located a little less than 60 kilometers north of Doha, on the island of Shara'o or Al Shafliyeh Shafliyah and islets. During your stay in Qatar, and preferably during the winter, you can also take a ride in the desert, accompanied by an experienced guide.

Qatar's main cities are worth a visit: the capital Doha is a series of white houses and mosques and you will enjoy along seven kilometers of coastline, sheltered by palm trees and gardens. Furthermore Doha, Dukhan also visit for its great beaches ... and derrick which can be seen gush oil while Al-Zubarah, located a hundred kilometers north of Doha, is visited mainly for its strong square erected under the reign of Sheikh Abdullah bin Qassim al-Thani, between 1913 and 1949 Finally, the country also has a number of very interesting museums: in December 2010, Qatar has opened in Doha on Mathaf, the Arab museum of Modern Art which covers 6000 typical works of the Middle East on a surface of 55,000 m2 in an old school converted by the french architect Jean-François Bodin. Already in November 2008, the country had established an Islamic art museum, whose works date back to the seventh century AD in the nineteenth.

Art and culture in Qatar 

Qatar is famous for its handicrafts very marked by the Bedouin culture. One can discover but also gain pottery, sculptures as well as paintings and drawings. Traditional jewelery are also a key element of its culture: among the most popular pieces are the Al mirtaesha these gold necklaces that covers the torso to the waist but also the Al Kaff, bracelets in gold, or yet Al Tsa, a jewel for the head.
What to see in Qatar 

The capital Doha has a number of museums that you must visit: besides the Qatar National Museum, which was founded in 1901, one can also visit the Museum of Islamic Art or in its new museum modern art. Doha also has a zoo where you can see the animals in the desert on an area of ​​25 hectares. Not to mention his soukh Waqif, located in the center of Doha.
Gastronomic specialties in Qatar 

During a holiday in Qatar, you will be served lamb, mutton, chicken wings, or fried fish with accompaniments like rice and salad. Guests can enjoy seafood but also tuna. On the occasion of every meal, you will be served fruit juice, tea and coffee flavored with cardamom.