Brunei

General Information

History

Brunei’s history can be dated back to around the seventh or eighth century. It was a small trading nation and was taken over by the Hindu empire of Srivijaya around the ninth century. In 1363 it achieved its independence and eventually developed into the Sultanate of Brunei. After suppressing a rebellion in Sarawak, an Englishman named James Brook was invited to assume Rajah Status and hold governance in 1841; he instituted many reforms and was an idealistic and daring Man. By 1888 all of Brunei came under the protection of the British Government. In 1906 Brunei accepted the power of the UK to advise the Sultan of Brunei on all matters except for local custom and religion. During World War 2, between 1941 and 1945, Brunei was taken over by Japan, who retreated out of Brunei at the end of this period. In 1959 Brunei was allowed to govern itself, but its foreign affairs, security, and defence still stayed under the rule of Britain. In 1962 an uprising by the Brunei People’s Party was stopped by the government, with the help of British forces. After the uprising was quashed the sultan’s governance became final. In 1984 Brunei became the independent State of Brunei, with Brunei remaining an absolute monarchy.

Climate

The Brunei climate is typical of countries located near the Equator in that it has consistently high temperatures, high humidity levels and high rainfall throughout the year. A typical high temperature in Brunei averages around 30ºC, while lows don’t usually fall below 20ºC; air temperature is relatively uniform throughout the year. There are two rainy seasons, from September to January, with December being the wettest; and May to June. There is almost a drought period between February and April, and this is the warmest time of the year.

Geography

Brunei is a small coastal state about 443km north of the equator in the corner of Borneo; it borders the South China Sea and the rest is completely enclosed by Malaysia splitting Brunei into two geographical areas (see map). The state is mainly forest areas, with the main living areas hugging the coast and river areas. There are many beaches with facilities throughout the country. The capital city is Bandar Seri Begawan and the many tourist sites throughout the area include the minaret crowning the golden-domed Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque. It is also possible to travel upriver to visit small tourist developed villages, such as the Kampong Parit Resort and Kampong Ayer. The local food is highly influenced by the Malaysian culture, being quite spicy and often including rice and fish. Alcohol is prohibited.

Geographic coordinates:

4 30 N, 114 40 E

Area:

Total: 5,770 sq km

Land: 5,270 sq km

Water: 500 sq km

Electricity

220-240V 50Hz

Country Dialling Code

673

Natural hazards:

Typhoons, earthquakes, and severe flooding are rare 

Population:

372,361 (as of 2005 estimates)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 28.6% (male 54,342/female 52,084)

15-64 years: 68.4% (male 134,908/female 119,814)

65 years and over: 3% (male 5,301/female 5,912) (2005 estimates)

Birth rate:

19.01 births/1,000 population (2005 estimates)

Death rate:

3.42 deaths/1,000 population (2005 estimates)

Sex ratio:

At birth: 1.06 male(s)/female

Under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.13 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.9 male(s)/female

Total population: 1.09 male(s)/female

Life expectancy at birth:

Total population: 74.8 years

Male: 72.36 years

Female: 77.36 years

Nationality:

Bruneian(s)

Ethnic groups:

Malay 67%

Chinese 15%

Indigenous 6%

Other 12%

Religions:

Muslim (official) 67%

Buddhist 13%

Christian 10%

Indigenous beliefs/other 10%

Languages:

Malay (official)

English

Chinese

Credit cards:

Hotels, department stores and other major establishments generally accept all internationally known credit cards.

Clothing:

Light clothing is advisable as the climate is generally warm and humid. Women are asked to dress modestly in keeping with local custom.

Customs:

Passengers will not be charged duty for carrying up to:

200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 227 grams of tobacco

Two bottles of liquor plus 12 cans of beer (only for non-Muslims)

A “reasonable quantity of perfumes”

Visas

German, Malaysians, Singaporeans and British nationals with right of abode in the United Kingdom and New Zealand are exempted from the requirement to obtain a visa for visits not exceeding 30 days.

American passport holders can enter Brunei Darussalam for three months without visas. For nationals of Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Republic of Maldives, The Netherlands, Norway, Oman, The Philippines, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand and The Principality of Liechtenstein, visas are waived for 14-day visits.

Nationals of Australia are issued visas on arrival at the Brunei International Airport for visits not exceeding 14 days.

All other visitors entering Brunei Darussalam must have visas obtainable from any Brunei Darussalam diplomatic mission abroad. These Visas are normally issued for a two-week stay but can be renewed in Brunei. Visitors must hold onward tickets or sufficient funds to support themselves while in the country.

Government type:

Constitutional sultanate

Capital:

Bandar Seri Begawan

Independence:

1 January 1984

National holiday:

2006 Holidays

January 1 New Year's Day  

January 10 Eid Al Adha

January 31 Islamic New Year

February 23 National Day

April 11 the Prophet's Birthday

May 31 Anniversary of the Royal Brunei Regiment

July 15 H.M. the Sultan's and Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam birthday

October 24 Eid Al Fitr  

December 25 Christmas Day  

Legal system:

Based on English common law, for Muslims, Islamic Shari'a law supersedes civil law in a number of areas.

Executive branch:

Chief of State: Sultan and Prime Minister Sir Hassanal Bolkiah (since 5 October 1967);

Head of Government: Sir Hassanal Bolkiah

GDP:

$6.842 billion

GDP - Per Capita:

$23,600

Labour force:

158,000

Labour force - by occupation:  

Agriculture, forestry, and fishing 10%

Production of oil, natural gas, services, and construction 42%

Government 48%

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

0.3%

Exports:

$4.514 billion FOB

Exports - partners:

Japan 38.1%

South Korea 14%

Australia 11.2%

US 8.6%

Thailand 7.9%

Indonesia 5.9%

China 4.5%

Currency (code):

Bruneian dollar (BND)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM               3

FM               10

Shortwave    0

Television broadcast stations:

2

Internet country code:

.bn

Airports:

2