The modern State of Qatar gained its independence from the UK on September 3, 1971.The country's constitution was ratified by public referendum on April 29, 2003; it was endorsed by the Emir on June 8, 2004; and it became effective on June 9, 2005.
Qatar is a peninsula in the east of Arabia, bordering the Persian Gulf and Saudi Arabia, in a strategic location near major petroleum deposits. Qatar occupies 11,437 km2 (4,416 sq mi) on a peninsula that extends approximately 160 km (99 mi) north into the Persian Gulf from the Arabian Peninsula.