Travel Guide > Middle East > Qatar
If the Arabian penninsula can be viewed to represent a fat, stubby foot, Qatar is the tragically placed mole at the front of the leg just above the foot. It's a little-noticed, oil-rich country where Islam is the guiding principle of life. That said, it isn't quite as strict as neighbouring Saudi Arabia; women have greater liberty and alcohol is legal.
Qatar's dry environment left it unoccupied for many centuries. When it was settled in any meaningful sort of a way, it was by Bedouins, whose lifestyle was well-suited to the penninsula's conditions. Most tourists will find it a testing climate, but for those who can handle it, the country affords fantastic desert expeditions. The burial mounds at Umm Salal Ali are worth the trek from Doha; they are said to be well over 5000 years old.
Qatar is only just starting to really develop its tourist industry, so if you want to get in before the rush, now is the time to head over.
Qatar technically only shares international borders with Saudi Arabia. Although it is very east to get to Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates.
Qatar is made up of 10 municipalities.
Experiance the building boom of downtown Doha. New and crazy buildings are going up ever minute in this city that was nothing more then a few adobe structures a century ago. One of the most interesting is the Aspire Tower which is 318 m (1050 ft) high located in Sprots City in Doha. The tower dominates the city scape and offers great views from the top.
The Zubarah Fort was only built in 1938 in order to protect the town of Zubarah. There have been many forts built on this location because the town has been a major trading center for several centuries. The fort was restored in 1987 and is amazing tourist site. Its two large towers that offer excellent views.
Umm Salal Ali Mounds are located in the city of Umm Salal Ali only 40 km from Doha. These mounds are very different from the mounds located in different countries around the Middle East. Some of of the mounds even date back to the third millennium BC. These mounds would be a very good introduction to ancient Middle Eastern burial practices.
Doha International Airport receives all international flights and most flights to and from the country are with the national airline Qatar Airways, known as one of the best airlines in the world. Destinations with Qatar Airways to and from Doha include Nairboi and Dar es Salaam in the east of Africa, South African cities of Cape Town and Johannesburg, all countries in North Africa, lots of destinations in Asia, especially to China, India and Pakistan and many larger cities in Southeast Asia and Europe like Bangkok and London. The United States are served as well, with flights to and from New York (Newark) and Houston.
Neighbouring countries and other countries throughout the Middle East have connections on almost a daily basis and lots of other airlines in the region fly to Qatar as well.
This is version 9. Last edited at 21:45 on Jun 5, 08 by Lavafalls (+1840). 9 articles link to this page.

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