The Basic Facts

• The country, officially known as the State of Qatar, covers about 7,083 square miles, according to Lonely Planet. The population hovers around 885,000, and the main industries include oil, steel and cement.
  
  To enter Qatar, like any country in the Persian Gulf, the traveler will need a visa. These can be obtained from embassies or larger hotels within Qatar. Qatar's time zone is GMT/UTC+3.
  
  The biggest holidays in Qatar are Islamic holy days. Ramadan, a month of prayer and fasting, occurs once a year.
  
  

Lonely Planet's Recommendations

• Lonely Planet notes that in recent years, Qatar has grown increasingly concerned about its world image. Unwilling to simply be known as "an oil rich state with more money than sense" or as a country with an antiquated and rugged population, Qatar has been improving its image through building projects, widespread westernization, and increasing openness to tourism. At the same time, Lonely Planet notes that there have been some attempts to glamorize the Western stereotype of Arabs in Qatar. The result is a "Disney" version of the Arab world in many parts of the country.
  
  Lonely Planet's top destinations in Qatar start with Al-Corniche. This area of the country is located on the capital Doha's seafront, and many of Qatar's modern buildings can be seen here. Second on the list is Souq Waqif, a traditional marketplace where trading and bartering take place. The Souq has seen its own "Disneyfication," but it remains one of the most popular sites for commerce in the country. Al-Khor, third on Lonely Planet's list, is a small city outside the capital that provides many exciting sites for tourists eager to stray away from the beaten path.
  
  Lonely Planet's Tony Jackson recommends visiting Qatar's sand dunes while in the country. Sprawling over miles and stretching to Saudi Arabia, these sand dunes are great for riding motocross bikes. However, the best mode for trekking across the desert is in four-wheel vehicles.