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The Qatar Riyal is the official currency of Qatar, and it's a unique one.
It's pegged to the US dollar, which means its value is directly tied to the dollar's value.
This peg was established in 1980, and it's remained in place ever since.
In terms of denominations, the Qatar Riyal is available in notes ranging from 1 to 500 riyals.
The currency is also available in coins, with denominations of 1, 5, 10, 25, and 50 dirhams.
What Is the Qatar Riyal?
The Qatari riyal is the official currency of Qatar, a country located along the coast of the Arabian Peninsula.
The Qatari riyal is made up of 100 dirhams.
You might have noticed that the currency code for the Qatari riyal is QAR, which is often shortened to QR in English.
All Qatari currency notes and coins are issued by the Qatar Central Bank, whose main objectives include maintaining monetary stability and regulating the currency.
Qatar Riyal Basics
The Qatar riyal is the official currency of Qatar, and it's pegged to the US dollar at a fixed exchange rate of 3.64 QAR per USD. This rate has been in place since 2001 and is maintained within a band between 3.6385 and 3.6415 riyals per USD.
The Qatar riyal replaced the Qatar and Dubai riyal in 1973, when Dubai entered the United Arab Emirates. This change was a result of Qatar's decision to issue its own currency.
The Qatari riyal has bill denominations of one, five, 10, 50, 100, and 500 riyals. The most frequently used banknotes are 1 riyal, 5 riyals, 10 riyals, 50 riyals, 100 riyals, and 500 riyals.
Here are some key facts about the Qatar riyal:
- The short name for Qatar money is QR.
- The most frequently used coins are 1 DIRHAM, 5 DIRHAMS, 10 DIRHAMS, 25 DIRHAMS, 50 DIRHAMS.
- The Qatar Central Bank is the chief bank of Qatar and reserves the right to issue the currency of Qatar.
The Qatar riyal has a unit of 1/100 dirham, and the frequently used coins are 1 dirham, 5 dirhams, 10 dirhams, 25 dirhams, and 50 dirhams.
Qatar Riyal and the Economy
The Qatari Riyal, or QR for short, is pegged to the US dollar at a fixed rate of $1 to QR3.64. This means that the value of the riyal is directly tied to the value of the US dollar.
In 2017, the value of the riyal shifted in the offshore market after some foreign countries ceased dealing with Qatari banks, causing a liquidity shortfall and pushing the value of the riyal to 3.81 in some foreign markets.
The official peg rate of 3.64 has remained in effect within Qatar since then. This period of fluctuation was a result of the diplomatic crisis between Qatar and several other countries.
Qatar Central Bank is the chief bank of Qatar and has the authority to issue the currency of Qatar. The most frequently used banknotes are 1 Riyal, 5 Riyals, 10 Riyals, 50 Riyals, 100 Riyals, and 500 Riyals.
Qatar has a unique set of coins, including 1 Dirham, 5 Dirhams, 10 Dirhams, 25 Dirhams, and 50 Dirhams. These coins are used in everyday transactions.
The Qatari Riyal is a widely traded currency, with top pairings including QAR to USD, QAR to INR, QAR to CAD, QAR to PKR, QAR to GBP, QAR to EUR, QAR to NGN, and QAR to AUD.
Qatar Riyal and the World
The Qatari riyal is widely traded with several major currencies.
The Qatari riyal is paired with the US dollar in international transactions.
You can exchange QAR for USD at any bank or currency exchange office.
The Qatari riyal is also paired with the Indian rupee, making it a popular choice for travelers visiting India.
The Qatari riyal is pegged to the US dollar, which means its value remains relatively stable.
The Qatari riyal is widely accepted in Pakistan, where it's paired with the Pakistani rupee.
The Qatari riyal is a popular choice for international business transactions, particularly with the UK.
The Qatari riyal is also paired with the euro, making it a convenient choice for European travelers.
Countries Using Currencies
Countries using the riyal include Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Oman, and Yemen.
The Qatar riyal is used in Qatar, and it's interesting to note that the country has a strong economy, with a GDP of $190 billion (The World Bank, "GDP (Current US$) - Qatar").
Qatar and Saudi Arabia are two of the countries that use the riyal, and they've had a complex relationship in the past, with Saudi Arabia leading a blockade against Qatar (BBC, "Qatar Crisis: What You Need to Know").
Here's a list of countries that use the riyal:
- Qatar
- Saudi Arabia
- Iran
- Oman
- Yemen
Top Currency Pairings
The Qatari rial is a widely traded currency, and its top pairings give you an idea of its value in other countries.
Qatar's currency is often paired with the US dollar, with QAR to USD being one of the most popular pairings.
The Qatari rial is also popular in India, with QAR to INR being another significant pairing.
In Canada, the Qatari rial is traded for the Canadian dollar, making QAR to CAD a notable pairing.
In Pakistan, the Qatari rial is valued against the Pakistani rupee, with QAR to PKR being a common pairing.
The Qatari rial is also traded against the British pound, with QAR to GBP being a significant pairing.
In Europe, the Qatari rial is often paired with the euro, with QAR to EUR being another notable pairing.
In Nigeria, the Qatari rial is traded for the Nigerian naira, making QAR to NGN a common pairing.
Finally, the Qatari rial is also traded against the Australian dollar, with QAR to AUD being a notable pairing.
Qatar Riyal History and Events
The Qatari Riyal has a rich history, dating back to the country's transition from the Gulf Rupee and Indian Rupee circulation. The Gulf Rupee and Indian Rupee were linked to the Pound Sterling before India subverted its currency by approximately 35%.
Before the Qatari Riyal was introduced, Qatar and Dubai used the Qatar-Dubai-Riyal (QDR) currency, which was set at a gold par value of 0.186621 in September 1966. The QDR was later relinquished in 1973.
The Qatari Riyal was pegged to the US Dollar under the Royal Decree of 2001, at a fixed rate of 3.64 Riyal per US Dollar.
History of
Qatar's currency, the Qatari Riyal, has a rich and fascinating history. The Qatari Riyal was pegged to the US Dollar in 2001 at a fixed rate of 3.64 Riyal per US Dollar.
The country's reliance on oil and natural gas exports has a significant impact on its economy, with these exports accounting for more than half of the total GDP. This has led to a high exchange rate for the Qatari Riyal.
Before the introduction of the Qatari Riyal, the Gulf Rupee was in circulation in Dubai and Qatar, linked to the Pound Sterling. However, the Indian Rupee's devaluation by around 35% led to the Gulf Rupee being dropped in favor of the Saudi Riyal.
The Qatar-Dubai Currency Board was established in 1966, introducing the Qatar-Dubai-Riyal (QDR) at a gold par value of 0.186621.
The Qatari Riyal was later introduced in 1975, pegged to the Special Drawing Rights (SDR) and adopting the US Dollar as an intervention currency.
2017 Diplomatic Crisis
In 2017, Qatar found itself in the midst of a diplomatic crisis. Banks in countries blockading Qatar had to stop trading with Qatari banks, leading to a significant drop in liquidity offshore.
The crisis caused a move away from the fixed exchange rate outside of Qatar, with the Qatari riyal (QR) experiencing a sharp devaluation. By late June 2017, it took up to QR 3.81 to buy 1 US dollar.
Trading of Qatari banknotes outside of Qatar was also severely impacted, with certain banks in countries like the UK ceasing to trade them.
However, within Qatar itself, the Central Bank continued to buy and sell US dollars at the fixed rate, providing a sense of stability amidst the turmoil.
Currency Exchange
The currency exchange in Qatar is a bit more complicated than it seems. The Qatari riyal is pegged to the US dollar at a fixed exchange rate of 3.64, which was enshrined into Qatari law by Royal Decree No.34 of 2001.
If you're traveling to Qatar, you'll want to know that the pegged exchange rate is one USD to 3.64 QAR, but banks and currency exchange services will typically charge a 3% to 5% service charge, which means you'll likely get 3.46 QAR for each USD, almost 5% less.
The currency exchange makes the money on the difference between the two rates, so it's essential to be aware of this when converting your money. For example, if you convert $1,000 at this rate, you'll receive QR3,460.
If you have some Qatari riyals left over after your trip and want to convert them back into USD, you can expect a rate of around 0.2743, based on the 30-day average of the QAR to USD exchange rate.
Here's a rough estimate of the exchange rates you can expect:
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the dollar strong in Qatar?
The dollar's value in Qatar remains relatively stable, with a minimal 0.000% change in exchange rate from yesterday. This suggests a stable exchange rate, but it's worth checking the current rate for the most up-to-date information.
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