Brunei

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{{Infobox Country or territory|native_name = بروني دارالسلام |conventional_long_name = Negara Brunei DarussalamState of Brunei Darussalam|common_name = Brunei Darussalam|image_flag = Flag of Brunei.svg|image_coat = COA of Brunei.svg|image_map = LocationBrunei.png|national_motto = "Always in service with God's guidance"(translation)|national_anthem = Allah Peliharakan SultanGod Bless the Sultan]|demonym = Bruneian|capital = Bandar Seri Begawan|leader_title1 = [List of Sultans of Brunei|leader_name1 = Hassanal Bolkiah|established_event1 = End ofBritish protectorate|established_date1 = [January 1 1984-->|percent_water = 8.6|population_estimate = 385,660|population_estimate_rank = 177th|population_estimate_year = october 2007|population_census = 332,844|population_census_year = 2001|population_density_km2 = 65|population_density_sq_mi = 168 |currency_code = BND|country_code =|time_zone =|utc_offset = +8|time_zone_DST =|utc_offset_DST =|cctld = .bn.-->

Brunei Darussalam, ([International Phonetic Alphabet: ) officially the State of Brunei, Abode of Peace (, Jawi (script): برني دارالسلام ), is a country located on the island of Borneo, in Southeast Asia. Apart from its coastline with the South China Sea it is completely surrounded by the state of Sarawak, Malaysia. Brunei, the remnant of a very powerful sultanate, regained its independence from the United Kingdom on 1 January 1984.

History The Sultanate of Brunei was very powerful from the fourteenth to the sixteenth century CE. Its realm covered the whole island of Borneo and the southwestern Philippines. European influence gradually brought an end to this regional power. Later, there was a brief war with Spain, in which Brunei was victorious. The decline of the Bruneian Empire culminated in the nineteenth 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. Brunei was a United Kingdom protectorate from 1888 to 1984.

There was a small rebellion against the monarchy during the 1960s, which was suppressed by the United Kingdom. This event became known as the Brunei Revolt and was partly responsible for the failure to create the North Borneo Federation. The rebellion also affected Brunei's decision to opt out of the Malaysia and was the first stage of the Indonesia-Malaysia confrontation.

Politics and government Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei, whose List of Sultans of Brunei has passed within the same dynasty since the fifteenth century, is the head of state and head of government in Brunei. The Sultan is advised by several Privy Council and a cabinet of Minister (government)s although he is effectively the supreme ruler. The News media is extremely pro-government and the Royal family retains a venerated status within the country. There is no elected legislative body. In September 2004, the Sultan convened an appointed Parliament which had not met since independence in 1984, although it lacks any capacity beyond advising the monarch.

The country has been under an Internal Security Act since a rebellion in the early 1960s was put down by United Kingdom troops from Singapore. Arrests under the internal security act are still commonplace.ISA arrests In Brunei. Retrieved 28-07-2007.

Press freedom Brunei has been given "Not Free" status by Freedom House; press criticism of the government and monarchy is rare.http://www.freedomhouse.org/inc/content/pubs/pfs/inc_country_detail.cfm?country=6929&year=2007&pf

Territorial disputes Brunei claims territory in Sarawak, such as Limbang, and it 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. However, they are internationally recognised as part of the latter.

Districts and mukims Brunei is divided into Districts of Brunei (daerah):

Belait District
Brunei and Muara
Temburong District
Tutong District

The districts are subdivided into thirty-eight mukims.

Geography Brunei consists of two unconnected parts. 97% of the population lives in the larger western part, while only about 10,000 live in the mountainous eastern part (the district of Temburong). The total population of Brunei is 383,000, of which around 46,000 live in the capital Bandar Seri Begawan. Some major towns are the capital Bandar Seri Begawan, the port town Muara, the oil producing town of Seria and its neighboring town, Kuala Belait. In the Belait district, the Panaga area is home to large numbers of expatriates due to Royal Dutch Shell and British Army housing and recreational facilities. The well-known Panaga Club is situated here.

The climate in Brunei is equatorial tropical, with high temperatures, high humidity, sunshine and heavy rainfall throughout the year.

Economy This small, wealthy economic system is a mixture of foreign and Domestic policy entrepreneurship, government regulation, social welfare measures, and village tradition. Crude petroleum and natural gas production account for nearly half of its Gross domestic product. 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 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum. Stated plans for the future include upgrading the labour (economics) force, reducing unemployment, strengthening the banking and tourism sectors, and, in general, further widening the economic base. The national airline, Royal Brunei Airlines is trying to make Brunei a hub for international travel between Europe and Australia/New Zealand. It also has services to major Asian destinations.

Transportation Brunei is accessible via sea and land travel. The main highway running across Brunei is the Pan Borneo Highway, which is a joint project with Malaysia. Besides the Pan Borneo Highway, Brunei can be accessed by air through Brunei International Airport. Royal Brunei is the main airline company in Brunei.

Brunei has several sea ports, mainly to export its petroleum products, as well as for import/export purposes.

Demographics in Bandar Seri Begawan.

About two-thirds of the Brunei population are of Malay people origin and have long dominated the nation's economy. The official languages of the nation are Malay language (Malay: Bahasa Melayu) and English language, although an important minority speak Chinese language. English language is also widely spoken and there is a relatively large expatriate community with significant numbers of British and Australian citizens.

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), Christianity, and primarily in isolated and very small communities, Indigenous peoples of Oceania religions.

Culture The culture of Brunei is predominantly Malay people, with heavy influences from Hinduism and Islam, but is seen as more conservative than Malaysia. The sale and public consumption of alcohol is banned, with foreigners and non-Muslims allowed to bring in twelve cans of beer and two litres of other alcohol (e.g. wine or spirits, no distinction is made for alcohol content). This limit used to apply every entry, in 2007 however this was changed to 1 limit every 48 hours. This has more of a negative effect on tourists rather than expats as the latter are allowed a fairly substantial monthly allowance they can purchase from government stores. After the introduction of prohibition in the early 1990s, all pubs and nightclubs were forced to close, however several types of restaurants allegedly still offer illicit alcohol sometimes served in teapots.For a discussion of religious freedom, see http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2006/71334.htm (United States Department of State).

Brunei in fiction Anthony Burgess's novel Devil of a State is set in Brunei. The construction of Bandar Seri Begawan's Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque is a major theme in the book.
Dale Brown's novel Armageddon is set mostly in Brunei. It details a fictional attack on the country by Islamic fundamentalists with fringe assistance from Malaysian forces, namely a stealth boat.

See also {{columns |width=280px|col1 =

List of Brunei-related topics
Brooketon
Brunei Revolt
Communications in Brunei
Foreign relations of Brunei
Sport in Brunei
Hospitals in Brunei

|col2 =

Girl Guides Association of Brunei Darussalam
History of Brunei
Istana Nurul Iman
Media of Brunei
Military of Brunei
Music of Brunei

|col3 =

Persekutuan Pengakap Negara Brunei Darussalam
North Borneo Federation
Royal Brunei Airlines
Transport in Brunei
Universiti Brunei Darussalam
Water Village (Brunei)

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Notes and references Bibliography

U.S. Department of State website (2003)
L. W. W. Gudgeon, British North Borneo, Adam and Charles Black: London, 1913.

External links

Government of Brunei Darussalam website
Brunei Tourism website
The Daily Brunei Resources blog. Contains extra information on the country through the eyes of a Bruneian.
WikiTravel entry for Brunei

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