Local Insights
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Fresh from hosting a spectacularly successful Asian Games in 2006, Doha continues to expand and improve, presenting the best of Arabic culture and history together with some highly modern entertainment.
Getting there
Doha International Airport (974 462 2222; www.dohaairport.com), about eight kilometres southeast of the city, is one of the most advanced in the Gulf, providing flights around the region as well as to major destinations around the world. Qatar's only land border is with Saudi Arabia. Doha is slowly emerging as a stop for cruise lines, and its port (974 553 4278) is only a short drive from the city centre. Visa requirements have recently been liberalised, and many nationalities can now receive a two-week visit-visa on arrival.
Weather
Qatar is certainly not short of sunshine which is guaranteed just about every day of the year. It can be especially hot in summer, when average temperatures range from 42oC during the day to 18oC at night, while winter temperatures are around 24oC during the day and 10oC at night.
Important Numbers
| Ambulance | 999 |
| Fire | 999 |
| Police | 999 |
| Qatar Tourism Authority | 974 462 8555 |
Transportation/Getting Around
| Taxi |
Bus |
Hire car |
Limousine | |
| Hotlines | GPS-equipped taxis – known as Karwa – of the government-owned Qatar Transport Company, or Mowasalat, can be hailed on the street, booked in advance or found at taxi ranks around the city. 974 458 8888 |
Mowasalat also runs a large fleet of air-conditioned buses, based at the city centre Al Ghanim station. 974 458 8888 |
Visitors are permitted to drive using their national licence for up to seven days, after which an international licence is required. There are many hire outlets, including Alfardan Automobiles Leasing Division (974 447 7577) and Mannai Auto Rent (974 455 8536) |
The Doha Limousine Company is the third arm of Mowasalat. 974 432 0999 |
| Fare range/ destinations |
Flagfall QAR3 or QAR4 at airport. |
QAR2 for inner city rides. |
From QAR120 per day. |
From QAR40 per hour. |
| Operating hours | 24 hours |
5.00 am – 11.30 pm |
24 hours |
24 hours |
* Remarks:The local currency is the Qatari riyal (QAR).
Local Language
Learn more about local language from below.
| English | Local language |
| Hello | Marhaba |
| Please | Min fadlik |
| Thank you very much | Shukran jazeelan |
| I do not understand | La afham |
| Do you speak English? | Hal tetakallem al-inglizia? |
| Nice to meet you | Tasharafna |
| Never mind | Laysa muhim |
| Good | Iayyid |
| You're welcome | Afwan |
| Excuse me | Law samaht |
| Where is the toilet? | Aynal-hamam? |
| What is your name? | Ma ismuka (to a male) Ma ismukee (to a female) |
| My name is... | Ismee... |
| How much does this cost? | Bikam hadha? |
| Maybe | Mumkin |
| Do you understand? | Maf hoom? |
| Help! | Musa'ada! |
| Today | Lyoum |
| Yesterday | Ams |
| Yes | Na'am |
| No | Laa. |
Business and Finance
The mainstays of Qatar's economy are its substantial oil and gas reserves. The country's oil reserves stand at 13.2 billion barrels, and its gas reserves are around 900 trillion cubic feet (the second largest in the world after Russia). The government is currently using the financial gains realised from these reserves to invest in various sectors, including tourism. Although rather smaller in scale than in previous years, fishing continues to be a source of trade in Qatar.
The above information is for reference only. They may be provided to HSBC by other persons or compiled by HSBC from information and materials provided by other persons. HSBC does not warrant the truth, reliability, accuracy or adequacy of the above information and HSBC assumes no liability for any reliance on them by you or any other persons. Please contact the relevant merchant, company or organisation for further details.
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