Brunei
Brunei is a sovereign state located on the north coast of the Borneo island. It is surrounded by the state of Sarawak, Malaysia.
Brunei is a sovereign state located on the north coast of the Borneo island. It is surrounded by the state of Sarawak, Malaysia.
Overview
Official Name
Brunei Darussalam
Capital
Bandar Seri Begawan
Independence Day
23 February 1984
Population, Territory and Currency
433,286 (2019)
5,765 square km
Brunei Dollar (BND)
Price per meal: ~$5
Demographics
76.4 Life expectancy
Source: World Health Organisation (2019)
78.3% Urban population
Source: United Nations (2019)
51.9% Of the population are male
Source: World Bank (2019)
15.8% Are youths aged 15-24
Source: United Nations (2019)
The Flag
The flag of Brunei has a centred crest that symbolises Islam. The yellow field represents the sultan of Brunei, while the black and white diagonal stripes represent Brunei’s chief ministers. On the crest is the national motto of Brunei in Arabic: “Always render service with God’s guidance”. The inscription below means: “Brunei, the Abode of Peace”.
Key Historical Events
15th century
Islamic sultanate of Brunei nominally in control of Borneo, including Sabah and Sarawak state of Malaysia, and some parts of the Sulu islands in the Philippines.
1888
Brunei becomes a British protectorate.
1963
Brunei chooses to remain a British dependency.
1967
Hassanal Bolkiah becomes sultan following the abdication of his father, Sultan Omar.
1984
Independence.
2014
First East Asian country to adopt Islamic sharia law despite widespread international condemnation.
Economic Profile
Brunei’s small, yet wealthy economy encompasses a mixture of foreign and domestic entrepreneurship, government regulation, welfare measures, and village tradition. Crude oil and natural gas production account for about half of the country’s GDP and >90% of its exports. Brunei’s GDP was valued at BND 17.8 billion in 2015.
Industry
Oil & Gas
Oil & gas production remains a core pillar of Brunei’s economy.
Petroleum & Refineries
A major industry of Brunei comprises of petroleum and petroleum refining.
Agricultural Exports
Brunei export products such as rice, vegetables, fruits, chickens, etc.
Places of Interest
Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque
Constructed 1958
One of the most beautiful mosques in the Asia Pacific, it is a place of worship for the Muslim community, a major historical site, and a famous tourist attraction. The mosque serves as a symbol of the Islamic faith in Brunei.
Kampong Ayer
Water Village
This historical floating village consists of more than 40 smaller settlements connected with a maze-like network of wooden boardwalks. It houses 13,000 residents who have their own schools, mosques and shops.
Local Food
Nasi Katok
A dish comprising rice, fried chicken and sambal. Nasi means ‘rice’ and katok means ‘knock’.
Ambuyat
Brunei’s national dish. It is a mix of starchy solid whites and water, and is served in a sticky consistency with cacah (dip).
Kelupis
Rice cakes made from glutinous rice wrapped in nyirik leaves accompanied with a peanut dip.
