Brunei - History, Politics, Military, Judicial system, Administrative divisions, Geography, Demographics, Culture

Official name State of Brunei Darussalam (Islamic Sultanate of Brunei)

Local name Negara Brunei Darussalam Timezone GMT +8 Area 5 765 km²/2225 sq mi population total (2002e) 351 000 Status Independent state Date of independence 1984 Capital Bandar Seri Begawan Languages Malay (official), English Ethnic groups Malay (65%), Chinese (20%) Religions Muslim (Sunni 65%), Buddhist (12%), Christian (9%) Physical features Swampy coastal plain; equatorial rainforest covers 75% of land area; rivers include Belait, Tutong Brunei; mountainous tract on Sarawak border, average height 500 m/1640 ft. Climate Tropical; high temperatures and humidity and no marked seasons; average daily temperature 24–30°C; average annual rainfall 2540 mm/100 in on coast, doubling in the interior. Currency 1 Brunei Dollar (BND) = 100 cents Economy Largely dependent on oil (discovered 1929) and gas resources. GDP (2002e) $6·5 bn, per capita $18 600 Human Development Index (2002) 0·856 History Formerly a powerful Muslim sultanate, with dominion over all of Borneo, its neighbouring islands, and parts of the Philippines by early 16th-c; under British protection from 1888; occupied by Japanese, 1941; liberated and reverted to former status as a British residency, 1945; internal self-government in 1971 and full independence, 1984; a constitutional monarchy with the Sultan as Head of State, who presides over a Council of Cabinet Ministers, a Religious Council, and a Privy Council.

برني دارالسلام Negara Brunei Darussalam
Flag Coat of arms
Motto: "Always in service with God's guidance" (translation)
Anthem: Allah Peliharakan Sultan ("God Bless the Sultan")
Capital (largest city)	Bandar Seri Begawan 4°55′N 114°55′E
Official language	Malay (national), English
Government	Absolute monarchy
- Sultan	Hassanal Bolkiah
Independence
- from British protectorate	January 1, 1984
Area
- Total	5,765 km² (170th) 2,226 sq mi
- Water (%)	8.6
Population
- 2005 estimate	374,000 (174th)
- 2001 census	332,844
- Density	65/km² (127th) 168/sq mi
GDP (PPP)	2005 estimate
- Total	$9.009 billion (138th)
- Per capita	$24,826 (26th)
HDI  (2003)	0.866 (high) (33rd)
Currency	Brunei ringgit (BND)
Time zone	(UTC+8)
Internet TLD	.bn
Calling code	+673
1 Also 080 from Malaysia.

Brunei, officially the Sultanate of Brunei (Malay: Negara Brunei Darussalam, Arabic: سلطنة بروناي‎, Jawi: برني دارالسلام), is a country located on the island of Borneo, in Southeast Asia.

History

The Sultanate of Brunei was very powerful from the 14th through the 16th century. The decline of the Bruneian Empire culminated in the 19th century when Brunei lost much of its territory to the White Rajahs of Sarawak, resulting in its current small landmass and separation into two parts.

Politics

Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei, whose title has passed within the same dynasty since the 15th century, is the head of state and head of government in Brunei.

Brunei claims territory in Sarawak, such as Limbang, and is one of many nations to lay claim to the disputed Spratly Islands. Several small islands situated between Brunei and Labuan, including Kuraman island, are contested between Brunei and Malaysia.

Military

The Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) use a wide range of foreign equipment, with a large percentage originating from Europe, particularly the U.K and France, and the United States. The Royal Brunei Land Forces is the largest of the armed services, with a relatively small air force and navy.

The Royal Brunei Air Force is a small, mainly helicopter-based force which is tasked with supporting the other branches of the armed services and defending Bruneian air space.

The Royal Brunei Navy is a small coastal defence force tasked with patrolling Bruneian waters and defending the offshore oil industry.

A battalion from the British Army's Royal Gurkha Rifles is still stationed in Brunei under agreement with the Sultan to protect the oil fields in the West of the country and assist domestic Bruneian forces in the event of an emergency. Other units from the British Army are present to support and train the Brunei Army.

Singapore also maintains a training establishment in Brunei, known as the Sungai Akar Camp and operates support helicopters.

Judicial system

The Supreme Court comprises the High Court and the Court of Appeals, while the Subordinate Court consists of the Magistrate's Courts.

Administrative divisions

Brunei is divided into four districts, called daerah. These are:

Belait Brunei and Muara Temburong Tutong

The districts are sub-divided into 38 mukims.

Geography

Brunei consists of two unconnected parts;

The climate in Brunei is equatorial Tropical climate tropical, with high temperatures, a high humidity , sunshine and heavy rainfall throughout the year. The national airline, Royal Brunei is trying to make Brunei a hub for international travel between Europe and Australia/New Zealand.

Demographics

See also: Islam in Brunei

About two-thirds of the Brunei population are of Malay origin.

Islam is the official religion of Brunei, and the sultan is the head of the religion in the country.

Culture

The culture of Brunei is similar to Malay culture, with heavy influences from Hinduism and Islam, but is seen as more conservative than Malaysia.