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Quality of life
Climate in Qatar
 According to its geographical location and climate, Qatar is classified as a hot subtropical desert; very hot and muggy between June and August and pleasant between November and February. It has arid; mild, pleasant winters; very hot, humid summers The average annual rainfall is 81 mm, average maximum temperature is 31oC and average minimum temperature 22oC
Language
 Arabic (official), English commonly used as a second language
Social Customs
 The heritage of Islam is deeply rooted in the Qatari character and society. The importation and consumption of alcohol is strictly regulated. However, liquor permits may be obtained by foreign employees and the major hotels are allowed to serve alcohol to guests in restricted areas.
Qatar prohibits the brewing and trafficking in alcohol. Drunken behavior in public or driving under the influence of alcohol is an offense punishable by imprisonment, a fine or both and revocation of the offender’s driving license.
Importing and using narcotics is illegal and punishable by heavy penalties. The possession of material deemed obscene is also punishable by a prison sentence. Qatar bans all pork products. The heritage of Islam is deeply rooted in the Qatari character and society. The importation and consumption of alcohol is strictly regulated. However, liquor permits may be obtained by foreign employees and the major hotels are allowed to serve alcohol to guests in restricted areas.
Qatar prohibits the brewing and trafficking in alcohol. Drunken behavior in public or driving under the influence of alcohol is an offense punishable by imprisonment, a fine or both and revocation of the offender’s driving license.
Importing and using narcotics is illegal and punishable by heavy penalties. The possession of material deemed obscene is also punishable by a prison sentence.
Finance & banking
 The Qatar Monetary Agency (QMA) was set up in 1973 with a mandate to carry out the functions of a central bank. It maintains supervision, coordination and control of the banking sector in addition to issuing directives necessary to guide and regulate the activities of the banks and the financial corporations operating in the country. QMA also regulates insurance, circulation and withdrawal of currency, maintains stability of currency both inside and outside the country and guarantees that the Qatar riyal is freely convertible on the world market. It is also charged with planning a banking, financial, credit and monetary system that helps develop the national economy within the framework of a stable monetary system.
In 1990, QMA's governor was given the status of a cabinet minister and the deputy governor the status of an under-secretary. This brought about a higher degree of independence which enabled the agency to discharge its duties and carry on its activities with greater efficiency.
There are 14 commercial banks operating in the State of Qatar. The law stipulates that in order to be eligible for a license, a bank must have a minimum paid-up capital of QR5 million and a working capital of similar amount retained for operations in Qatar if it is a subsidiary of a foreign bank.
There are six national banks in Qatar:
Other banks in Qatar include two Arab banks and six foreign ones:
Education
 The Ministry of Education was one of the first ministries to be established in Qatar; it was set up in 1956. Regular governmental education had been introduced in 1952 with the establishment of the first primary school. In 1956, the system of modern education was begun in three stages:
In addition, specialized and technical schools have been established. In 1973, the School of Teachers formed the nucleus of Qatar University which now includes seven faculties.
The government provides all sectors of the Qatari people with all types of education, general and specialized. It also offers adult education and literacy programs, and there are special classes for the handicapped.
The state provides textbooks, stationery, transportation, sports clothes and gear for all pupils at all levels of education. It also offers financial incentives for Qatari pupils, organizes religious and cultural celebrations and competitions, scouting and scientific tours, holds exhibitions and provides boarding facilities for pupils in remote areas and those of foreign missions resident in Qatar.
University education began in Qatar in 1973 with two faculties, one for boys and one for girls. It was recognized as a full-fledged university in 1977 and now comprises seven faculties in addition to four research centres, a computer centre, The Educational Technology Centre, The Gulf States Development Research Project and The Technical Bureau for the Development of University Education.
As part of this strategic vision, Qatar has established Qatar Foundation for Education, Science Community Development, which has put Qatar on the international map of Education. The Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development is a private, non-profit chartered organization, founded in 1995. It aims to develop and utilize human potential through a network of centers and a unique Education City, with branch campuses of some of the world's leading universities. QF, which was founded by His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, Emir of Qatar, is presided by her highness Sheikha Mouzah Bint Nasser A- Misnad, Consort of H.H the Emir.
Qatar Foundation aims also at fostering centers of excellence which develop people's abilities through investments in human capital, innovative technology, state of the art facilities, and partnerships with elite organizations.
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Qatar University
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Virginia Commonwealth University
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Qatar Academy
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Carnegie Mellon University
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Qatar Foundation's Science & Technology Park
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College of North Atlantic
for more information : www.qf.edu.qa
Health Care
 Besides being distinguished by its comprehensiveness, diversity and efficiency in terms of equipment and human resources, health care in the State of Qatar is based on the sober philosophy that medical care should be available for all residents of Qatar, citizens and expatriates alike.
Health care establishments, cadres, curative and preventive medical services, and equipment have undergone substantial upgrading and improvements. Qatar has an opportunity to create a health care system that will provide the most effective and advanced health care to its people and to become a model for the world to follow. His Highness the Emir created the NHA in 2005 and gave it responsibility to guide reform in Qatar in order to establish one of the world's most admired and renowned health systems. for more information please visit: www.nha.org.qa
Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), the premier non-profit health care Established by Emiri decree in 1979 has rapidly developed highly specialized medical facilities capable of providing state of the art diagnosis and treatment of diseases that previously could only be managed in overseas medical centers. for more information please visit www.hmc.org.qa
Sports
 the Football is the national sport, the national team have achieve several achievements by win the 15th Asian games gold medal in 2006 & the gulf cup in Doha2004 .
On Oct. 25 2007 Doha launched its bid for the 2016 Summer Olympics , and hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Doha in 2016 will extend the Olympic ideals to millions of new hearts and minds. This would unleash the power of the Olympic Movement and peaceful sport to create understanding, hope and change that could unite the entire region with the rest of the world. For more information, please visit www.doha2016.org
Qatar won the bid to host the 2006 Asian Games www.doha-2006.com. This have herald the first ever major sporting event of such a magnitude in the region. As part of the State’s commitments for hosting the games, due to that Qatar build a $700 million ‘sports city’ which include 5,000 apartments for athletes and sports officials.
The Government also has started to sponsor many premier sporting events to attract. World-class sports personalities and supporters. The Khalifa Tennis and Squash Complex annually host the “Qatar Open” tennis tournament in early January. The Khalifa National Stadium hosts an annual International athletics meeting. In 1998, the event was granted Grand Prix II status and for the first time in the GCC, included women athletes.
The Doha Gulf Club provides the venue for the yearly European PGA tour event, the “Qatar Masters” in March. Various sports clubs including badminton, cricket, golf, hockey and rugby have also been established. The calm seas and climate provide many opportunities for various water sports.
In July 2004, the estimated $55 million Losail International Motor Grand Prix Circuit was inaugurated by HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Abdullah Bin Khalifa Al-Thani.
In October 2004, Qatar hosted the region’s first ever FIM Motor GP (World Championship of Motor Cycle Racing).
Housing & Utilities
 The State of Qatar attempts to create the optimum living conditions for its citizens. This is done through raising health, economic and social standards and providing suitable housing that is appropriate to the size, needs and social customs and traditions of each family.
The Free Popular Housing Section of the Popular Housing Department provides housing for citizens with limited resources. It consists of the following facilities provided by the Government:
The beneficiary is granted a free strip of land. The size of the land depends upon the size of the beneficiary's family but it ranges from 6400 to 10,000 sq ft. The beneficiary is offered an interest-free loan of which only 60% is to be repaid in easy installments, based upon his income, over a period of 20-25 years.
The Government bears the costs of architect's plans and building specifications. It also supervises construction as well as providing all utilities with no charge to the beneficiary. The State also bears the cost of house insurance against fire.
Upon receipt of the house, the government grants the beneficiary a furniture allowance of QR20,000. In the case of the beneficiary's total disability or death, the heirs are exempted from paying the remaining loan installments.
The houses provided are one or two-storey buildings built upon an area of 960 sq m. The houses consist of 4 bedrooms, 1 lounge or majlis, 1 dining room, 1 sitting room, 1 kitchen, a store, a garage and all other necessities.
The Popular Housing Section investigates applications for housing to make sure that the applicant meets the following conditions:
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Is a Qatari national
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Has a limited income
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Is between 25-50 years of age
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Undergoes a medical test
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Is unable to afford building his own house
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Has not benefited from any other housing scheme
Transport
The Transport Company “Mowasalat” started its activities by providing land transport services and solutions in October 2004. By providing Airport Taxi, Standard Taxi, VIP Limousine, Standard Limousine, Public Bus Service, School Bus Service, and Private Hire Bus and Coach Services. for mor information please visit www.mowasalat.com
Cars
Cars can be rented on most foreign licenses. Foreigners resident in GCC countries can rent a car if they can show a residence visa from their country of residence.
Avis, Budget and Euro car rates per day for a small car, including insurance and unlimited mileage, is about QR150. There are rental desks at the airport and also in some hotels. There is also an agency in Doha -- Al-Muftah Rent-A-Car on Musheireb Street -- which often gives rates cheaper than QR150 per day.
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