Locations
Our clients are located in the Middle East. Below is some general information on the countries, culture and climate:
Saudi Arabia
Due to its entry restrictions, Saudi Arabia is a destination that many travellers are intrigued by. With spectacular desert and mountain scenery, Saudi Arabia also has some of the Middle East's best archaeological sites. Key facts are as follows:
Full country name: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Population: 24.2 million
Capital City: Riyadh (pop 3 million)
People: Arabs, Bedouins, Najdis and expats from all over the world
Language: Arabic, English
Currency: Saudi Riyal
Religion: Islam
Government: Monarchy
Major Industries: Oil, steel, cement, wheat
Culture
Saudi Arabian culture revolves almost entirely around Islam - two of Islam's holiest sites are in the country, and it considers itself the birthplace of the religion. Every day, five times a day, Muslims are called to prayer from the minarets of mosques. Islamic law forbids the consumption of pork and alcohol, and this law is strictly followed.
Saudi Arabian dress is generally loose garments with Islam's emphasis on covering up. Traditionally, men wear an ankle-length shirt with a ghutra (a large square of cotton held in place by a cord coil) worn on the head.
Saudi women usually wear a long black robe (abaya) and veil (niqab) when they leave the house, to protect their modesty.
Climate
Saudi Arabia is mostly desert, with extreme climates. From mid-April to mid-October, daytime temperatures can be 45°C or higher throughout the country. In the dead of winter (December to January) the cities are only around 15°C during the day, and central deserts can be colder at night. In the coastal areas it rains regularly, with high humidity in the summer, but there's very little rainfall in the capital Riyadh.
Events
Saudi Arabia's holidays are mainly Islamic, with the largest being Ramadan (a month of fasting between sunrise and sunset). Ramadan is mandatory, even for visitors and you are expected not to smoke, drink or eat in public during this period. Ramadan ends with a huge feast swapping of gifts. Eid al-Adah, is the other big feast of the year, and marks the time when Muslims should make the pilgrimage to Mecca. The only non-religious festival is the Jinadriyah National Festival of folklore and culture, held every February.
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United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a union of seven sovereign sheikhdoms, formed when the British withdrew from the Gulf in 1971. All within a relatively small area is mountains, beaches, deserts, oases, camel racing, Bedouin markets and duty-free shopping in Dubai. Key facts are as follows:
Full country name: United Arab Emirates
Population: 2.4 million
Capital City: Abu Dhabi (pop 500,000 est.)
People: Arab (61%), South Asian (22%), Iranian (8%), other expats (9%)
Language: Arabic, English, Persian, Urdu, Hindi
Currency: UAE Dirham
Religion: Muslim (96%) Hindu, Christian and other (4%)
Government: federation with specified powers delegated to the UAE federal government and other powers reserved to member emirates
Major Industries: Oil, gas, petrochemicals, fishing
Culture
Most Emiratis are Sunni Muslims subscribing to the Maliki or Hanbali schools of Islamic law. Many of the latter are Wahhabis, though UAE Wahhabis are not nearly as strict as in Saudi Arabia; the UAE is probably the most liberal country in the Gulf but it is still very conservative by Western standards. Only 500,000 of the 2 million people living in the country are UAE citizens; the rest are expatriates from other Gulf countries, and from Pakistan, Iran and India.
Arabic is the official language but English is widely understood. Alcohol is only sold in restaurants and bars attached to three-star hotels or better and prices are therefore quite high (alcohol is not sold at all in Sharjah)
Climate
From May to September humidity is high and daytime temperatures are generally around 40°C in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. In the eastern coastal cities of Fujairah and Khor Fakkan, the climate is slightly milder (due to sea breezes) as are the mountains above Ras al-Khaimah. Average temperatures for the rest of the year range between 22-30°C, and it can be very windy in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah and very cold in the desert areas around Al-Ain. Rainfall usually occurs in December/January, and is non-existent between May and October.
Events
Religious holidays are tied to the Islamic Hijra calendar, so dates vary from year to year. Eid al-Fitr (the end of Ramadan), Eid al-Adha (Pilgrimage), Lailat al-Mi'raj (the Ascension of the Prophet), the Prophet's Birthday and the Islamic New Year are the main celebrations. Secular holidays include New Year's Day (1 January) and National Day (1 December).
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Qatar
Although not very well known, Qatar has new hotels, towering sand dunes, ancient rock carvings and distinctive architecture.
Key facts are as follows:
Full country name: State of Qatar
Population: 800,000
Capital City: Doha
People: Arab 40%, Pakistani 18%, Indian 18%, Iranian 10%
Language: Urdu, English, Arabic
Currency: Qatar Riyal
Religion: Islam
Government: monarchy
Major Industries: Oil production and refining, fertilisers, petrochemicals, steel, cement
Culture
Qatari culture revolves almost entirely around Islam. Like Saudi Arabia, most Qataris adhere to the austere Wahhabi sect of Islam. Qatari Wahhabism is less strict and alcohol, which is prohibited in Saudi Arabia, is available in Qatar. Doha is filled with Western fast-food, Indian and Pakistani restaurants and English is widely spoken.
Qatar is primarily a Bedouin culture, and the tribal ethos is still strong in modern society. Bedouins (being nomads) had a culture traditionally based on poetry and song rather than buildings or art. However, the practical art of weaving has produced some beautiful Bedouin artefacts, such as tents, rugs, cushions and saddlebags.
Women are veiled - most take the veil when they are around seven years old, and by adolescence they will cover their body entirely with an al-darraa, a long black dress. They also wear a black mask, called al-battoulah, which covers all of the face except the eyes, nose and mouth.
Qatari men wear a thobe, a long white shirt over loose pants. They also wear that symbol of the Arab world, a loose headdress called a gutra, held on with a black rope known as the agal.
Climate
Summer lasts from May to September with 90% humidity, and temperatures averaging 35°C, although it can get up to 50°C. The winter months (December-February) are much milder with pleasant, cool evenings. Throughout the year, but especially in spring, Qatar is subject to sandstorms, and the rainstorms that hit the country in December and January cause many of the roads to close.
Events
Qatar's holidays are primarily Islamic. Ramadan (a month of fasting between sunrise and sunset) ends with a huge feast, Eid al-Fitr, during which everyone prays together, visits friends and exchange gifts. Eid al-Adha, held around March, is the other big feast of the year, marking the time when Muslims should make the pilgrimage to Mecca. Qatar's only non-religious holiday is National Day, on 3 September.
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