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Area
11,437 sq km (4416 sq miles).
Population
579,200 (2000).
Capital
Doha. Population: 392,384 (1995).
Geography
Qatar is an oil-rich peninsula jutting out into the Gulf
between Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates. There are
hills in the northwest, but the rest of the country
consists of sand dunes and salt flats, with scattered
vegetation towards the north.
Government
Emirate since 1971. Gained independence from the UK in
1971. Head of State: Crown Prince Sheikh Hamad bin
Khalifa al-Thani since 1995. Head of Government: Prime
Minister Sheikh Abd Allah bin Khalifa al-Thani since
1996.
Language
Arabic is the official language. Some English is spoken.
Religion
Islam.
Time
GMT + 3.
Electricity
220-240 volts AC, 50Hz.
Telephone
IDD is available. Country code: 974. There are no area
codes. Outgoing international code: 0.
Mobile telephone
GSM 900 network exists. Main network provider is Q-tel
(website: www.qtel.com.qa).
Fax
Available at some major hotels.
Internet
Main ISPs iclude Qatar (website: www.qatar.net.qa).
Internet cafes exist in Doha.
Telegram
The Cable and Wireless Office in Doha (0600-2300) and
major hotels provide services.
Post
Airmail to Europe takes up to a week.
Press
English-language newspapers include the Gulf Times. The
main dailies are Ar-Raya, Al-Arab and Ash-Sharq.
Radio
BBC World Service (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice)
and Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov) can be
received. From time to time the frequencies change and
the most up-to-date can be found online.
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