Brunei

The Sultanate of Brunei is an oil-rich country located on the island of Borneo, in south-east Asia. Apart from its coastline with the South China Sea, it is completely surrounded by Malaysia.

Negara Brunei Darussalam
(In Detail) (Full size)
National motto: Brunei Darussalam
(Malay: Brunei, the abode of peace)
Official languageMalay language
CapitalBandar Seri Begawan
SultanHassanal Bolkiah
Area
 - Total
 - % water
Ranked 163rd
5,770 km²
8.6%
Population
 - Total (2001)
 - Density
Ranked 162nd
343,653
61/km²
IndependenceJanuary 1, 1984
CurrencyDollar
Time zoneUTC + 8
National anthemYa Allah lanjutkan
la usia Duli tuanku
Internet TLD.BN
Calling Code673

Table of contents
1 History
2 Politics
3 Districts
4 Geography
5 Economy
6 Demographics
7 Culture
8 Miscellaneous topics
9 External Links

History

Main article: History of Brunei

The sultanate of Brunei was very powerful in from the 14th through 16th century, covering the southern Philippines, Sarawak and Sabah. European influence gradually brought an end to this power, and Brunei became a British protectorate in 1888.

Politics

Main article: Politics of Brunei

The sultan of Brunei, which has been from the same dynasty since the 14th century, is the head of state and head of government in Brunei. The sultan is advised by several councils and a cabinet of ministers. There is no elected legislative body.

Districts

Main article: Districts of Brunei

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

  • Belait
  • Brunei and Muara
  • Temburong
  • Tutong

Geography

Main article:
Geography of Brunei

Brunei consists of two unconnected parts; 97% of the population lives in the larger western part, only about 10,000 live in the mountainous eastern part, the district of Temburong. Major cities are the capital Bandar Seri Begawan (about 46,000 inhabitants), the port town Muara and Seria.

The climate in Brunei is tropical, with high temperatures, a high humidity and heavy rainfall.

Economy

Main article: Economy of Brunei

This small, wealthy economy is a mixture of foreign and domestic entrepreneurship, government regulation, welfare measures, and village tradition. Crude oil and natural gas production account for nearly half of GDP. Per capita GDP is far above most other Third World countries, and substantial income from overseas investment supplements income from domestic production. The government provides for all medical services and subsidizes rice and housing. Brunei's leaders are concerned that steadily increased integration in the world economy will undermine internal social cohesion although it became a more prominent player by serving as chairman for the 2000 APEC (Asian Pacific Economic Cooperation) forum. Plans for the future include upgrading the labor force, reducing unemployment, strengthening the banking and tourist sectors, and, in general, further widening the economic base beyond oil and gas.

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Brunei

About two-thirds of the Brunei population are of Malay origin. The most important minority ethnic group are the Chinese, with about 15%. These groups also reflect the most important languages: Malay, which is the official language, and Chinese. English is also spoken.

Islam is the official religion of Brunei, and the sultan is the head of the religion in the country. Other faiths practised are Buddhism (mainly by the Chinese) and Christianity.

Culture

Main article: Culture of Brunei

The culture of Brunei is similar to Malay culture, with heavy influences from Hinduism and Islam.

See also:

  • Music of Brunei

Miscellaneous topics

Much of the material in these articles comes from the CIA World Factbook 2000 and the 2003 U.S. Department of State website.

External Links


Countries of the world  |  Asia


In the News

New 3-D Real-time Heart 'Mapping'Technology Improves Precision And Pat
A new ultrasound technology has now been introduced to guide ablation of atrial fibrillation, offering potential improvements in both the precision and safety of this therapy. AF is the most common type of heart rhythm disorder. With the new software imaging technology, the CartoSound?Image Integration Module and SoundStar?3D Catheter, physicians now are able to visualize and create a whole new kind of "map"of the heart in order to perform atrial ablation.

Scientists Announce Smallest Extra-Solar Planet Yet Discovered And Fin
Penn State's Alex Wolszczan, the discoverer in 1992 of the first planets ever found outside our solar system, now has discovered with Caltech's Maciej Konacki the smallest planet yet detected, in that same far-away planetary system. Immersed in an extended cloud of ionized gas, the new planet orbits a rapidly spinning neutron star called a pulsar.

Scrubbing Sulfur: New Process Removes Sulfur Components, Carbon Dioxid
Researchers have developed a reusable organic liquid that can pull harmful gases such as carbon dioxide or sulfur dioxide out of industrial emissions from power plants. The process could directly replace current methods and allow power plants to capture double the amount of harmful gases in a way that uses no water, less energy and saves money.

Mayo Clinic Develops First Genomic-Based Test To Predict Stroke From R
Mayo Clinic researchers have discovered a genetic marker that may pave the way for a fast, inexpensive blood test to predict one type of deadly stroke that strikes 30,000 people in the United States annually.

Child Abuse, Neglect Rise Dramatically When Army Parents Deploy To Com
Confirmed incidents of child abuse and neglect among Army families increase significantly when a parent is deployed to a combat zone, according to a new study. The study compares the rates of child abuse and neglect among nearly 2,000 Army families with confirmed incidents of child abuse or neglect.

Wired's Favorite Sci-Fi Flicks of All Time — Star Wars
Our favorite science fiction movies ever, part deux. Look 'em over and add a part deux of your own.


The Origins of the Maori King Movement
"This feature was prepared to mark the 40th anniversary of the coronation of the Maori Queen ... in May 2006. On 15 August 2006 came the sad news that she had passed away. Six days later her eldest son ... was confirmed as her successor."Features history about the Maori King Movement in New Zealand, images, and links to related material. From the New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage.

[Ironic] LONDON: A jailed cocaine dealer is working as Santa Claus on
John Tams, who dons beard, boots and red suit to work in a cafe's Christmas grotto, said he wanted to give something back to the community...

New Insights Into The Software Of Life
A series of discoveries by an international consortium of scientists, including a team from The University of Queensland's Institute for Molecular Bioscience (IMB), will transform our understanding of how our genome works to produce a complex organism like a human being.

Higher Folate Intake Associated With Decreased Risk Of Hypertension In
Hypertension affects an estimated 65 million individuals in the U.S. and many more worldwide. The purpose of this study was to determine whether higher folate intake is associated with a lower risk of hypertension.




MP3 Music Downloads

Preview songs, Download Free Music,Burn CDs at ITunes.com
iTunes_RGB_9mm

 


Google




InformationQuickFind.com - Find Information Fast

Links | Privacy Policy | News |