Brunei

Brunei
Conventional long name	Nation of Brunei, Abode of Peace
Capital	Bandar Seri Begawan
Official languages	Malay
Religion	Sunni Islam
Leader title1	Sultan
Leader name1	Hassanal Bolkiah
Leader title2	Crown Prince
Leader name2	Al-Muhtadee Billah
Legislature	Legislative Council of Brunei

Brunei. Officially the Nation of Brunei, the Abode of Peace, it is a sovereign state located on the north coast of the island of Borneo in Southeast Asia. It is entirely surrounded by the Malaysian state of Sarawak and is separated into two parts by the Limbang River valley. The country has a South China Sea coastline and its government is an absolute Islamic monarchy under the rule of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah.

History

The early history of the Bruneian Empire is intertwined with the regional influence of Srivijaya and Majapahit, as well as ties to China during the Ming dynasty. By the 15th and 16th centuries, it grew into a powerful sultanate, controlling much of Borneo and parts of the Philippines, including Manila. The arrival of European powers, notably the Portuguese Empire and later the Spanish Empire, led to conflicts such as the Castilian War. The sultanate's influence declined in the 19th century, ceding territories like Sarawak to James Brooke and Labuan to the British Empire. In 1888, it became a British protectorate, a status formalized by the British Resident system established after the Treaty of Protection, 1905-1906. Occupied by the Empire of Japan during the Second World War, Brunei resumed its protectorate status until a rebellion in 1962, the Brunei Revolt, was suppressed with British assistance. Full independence from the United Kingdom was achieved on 1 January 1984.

Geography

Brunei consists of two unconnected parts on the island of Borneo, sharing a long border with the Malaysian state of Sarawak. The landscape is predominantly covered by Borneo lowland rain forests, part of the larger Sundaland eco-region. The country's terrain features a flat coastal plain in the west, which rises to hills in the east, with the highest point being Bukit Pagon. Major rivers include the Belait River, Tutong River, and the Brunei River, on whose banks the capital, Bandar Seri Begawan, is situated. Significant natural areas are protected within Ulu Temburong National Park, and the coast contains important mangrove forests. The climate is a tropical equatorial climate, characterized by high temperatures, humidity, and significant rainfall throughout the year.

Government and politics

Brunei is governed as an absolute monarchy under the rule of the Sultan, Hassanal Bolkiah, who is also the Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Minister of Finance and Economy. The legal system is based on English common law, but since 2014, it has been progressively integrated with sharia law under the Syariah Penal Code Order, 2013. The advisory Legislative Council of Brunei was reconstituted in 2004. There are no elected legislative bodies, and political parties, such as the National Development Party, have minimal influence. The Royal Brunei Armed Forces and the Royal Brunei Police Force maintain internal security. In foreign relations, Brunei is a member of the ASEAN, the United Nations, the Commonwealth of Nations, and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.

Economy

The economy is dominated by the petroleum and natural gas sectors, which are managed by Brunei Shell Petroleum and other companies like TotalEnergies. Hydrocarbon resources from fields such as the Champion field account for the majority of government revenue and exports. Major industrial projects include the Brunei LNG plant in Lumut. Efforts at economic diversification have led to developments in halal food production, Islamic finance, and tourism, promoted through ventures like Brunei Darussalam Enterprise. The national currency is the Brunei dollar, which is pegged at par to the Singapore dollar. Key infrastructure includes the deep-water Muara Port and Brunei International Airport, which is the home base for Royal Brunei Airlines.

Demographics

The population is predominantly Malay, with significant minorities of Chinese, indigenous Bornean groups such as the Iban, Dusun, and Murut, as well as a substantial expatriate community. The official language is Malay, with English widely used in business and education. Sunni Islam, specifically the Shafi‘i school of jurisprudence, is the state religion, as enshrined in the ideology of Melayu Islam Beraja. Other practiced faiths include Buddhism, Christianity, and indigenous animistic beliefs. Key population centers are the capital Bandar Seri Begawan and the towns of Kuala Belait, Seria, and Tutong.

Culture

The culture is deeply influenced by Malay culture and Islam, evident in customs, dress, and law. Traditional arts include the intricate weaving of songket fabric, silver- and brass-smithing, and the crafting of kris daggers. Performing arts feature music like gulintangan and dances such as the Adai-adai and Aduk-Aduk. The national holiday of Hari Kebangsaan celebrates independence. Cuisine is similar to neighboring Malaysia and Singapore, with dishes like ambuyat, nasi katok, and kueh being staples. The country hosts international events through venues like the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium and has participated in the Southeast Asian Games. Education is emphasized, with institutions such as Universiti Brunei Darussalam and the establishment of the Brunei Darussalam Institute of Technology.

Category:Brunei Category:Countries in Asia Category:Island countries Category:Commonwealth realms Category:Islamic states