Transportation
in Qatar
Road
The road system is fair, but conditions are poor
during the wet season. Driving is on the right.
Bus: No organised public bus service. Taxi: These
have black and yellow number plates, are painted
orange and white, and are metered.
Taxis
Taxis can be hired on an hourly basis.
Cars
It is advisable for you to have at least one car
in Qatar particularly for staff with families,
since children have to be taken to and from school
by car, it is desirable for wives to have a driving
license before they come to Qatar.
There is public transport in Qatar which allows
travel to and from the neighboring towns. Metered
private taxis are available in Doha and are readily
distinguished by their orange and white color.
These are plentiful and economical to use.
In Qatar you must drive on the right. When thinking
about driving conditions, one should keep in mind
that Doha has busy city traffic and this requires
adaptation rather than apprehension from those
not used to driving in cities.
A wide range of cars and the relevant spare parts
are available locally. Large powerful cars, particularly
off road type four-wheel drive vehicles are popular
with all sections of the population. Used cars
are almost always available at reasonable prices.
It is probably not economical to ship cars, new
or used, from Europe to Qatar and staff who wish
to do so are advised to check before-hand whether
service or spare parts will be available in Doha.
Duty on the import of cars is 4% ad valorem.
Car hire
Air-conditioned cars at a range of prices
are available for hire from local car rental firms.
A chauffeur may be arranged at an additional cost.
Available from local companies at the airport
and hotels.
Radar
Radar systems are now in operation checking speed
inside cities and along highways. The speed limit
when driving inside cities ranges from 50 to 100
km per hour, when driving along highways: 100
to 120 km per hour.
Vehicle Registration
When registering a vehicle, you must have in your
possession a valid Qatari driving license and
an insurance certificate valid for three years
for the vehicle being registered.
In the case of a new vehicle, the car dealer
will probably arrange this for you. In the case
of a second hand car, you will be expected to
visit the Traffic Department together with the
previous owner.
Documentation
Documentation: An International Driving Permit
is required, but a temporary licence can be obtained
on presentation of a valid UK licence.
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Social Scene
Most of the wildlife indigenous to Qatar is typical
of a desert environment, and consists of insects
such as grasshoppers, crickets, scorpions and praying
mantis. Lizards, geckos and skinks are common features
of the country, as are small nocturnal mammals,
such as desert hares, sand rats and jerboas.
In earlier times, herds of Arabian Oryx roamed
the countryside, using the natural wells and oases
as breeding and settling points.
Sadly, this magnificent creature is now only
to be found in captivity. The government has embarked
upon a stringent oryx breeding and conservation
programme, with notable results.
Qatar is an excellent place for observing bird
life, especially during the migratory months in
Spring and Autumn. Throughout the year, sparrows,
parakeets, gulls, cormorants and other sea birds
can be found, but the population is significantly
augmented by visiting species, taking advantage
of the many fine trees and gardens that are cultivated
in the towns to rest for a few days during their
long journeys.
The best places for observing bird life are to
be found just south of Doha, an area of effluent
natural ponds, and around the Messaieed Sewage
Works.
There is a certain amount of marine life in Qatar's
coastal waters, although this is more limited
than one might expect, due to the shallowness
of the waters and the high degree of salinity.
Crabs, lobsters and the famous Gulf Shrimp are
common features of the coasts, as, less attractively,
are jellyfish. In the deeper waters further offshore
are to be found hammour (grouper) - the most popular
edible fish in the region , channad, snapper,
tuna and certain varieties of shark.
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