Brunei

Brunei, formally referred to as Brunei Darussalam, is a compact and affluent country located on the northern coast of Borneo in Southeast Asia. With a population of 455,858 as of 2023, this sovereign state stands out as the only independent nation situated totally on the island of Bornea. Comprising a population of almost 180,000, Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital and biggest city, serves as the political and commercial hub of the nation.

The country’s historical path and development have been much shaped by its strategic location along the South China Sea. With exception from its coastal areas, Brunei’s territory consists of two non-contiguous areas totally surrounded by the Malaysian state of Sarawak. The political and economic contacts of the country with surrounding nations—particularly Malaysia and Indonesia, which cover the rest of Borneo—have been shaped by its geographical layout.

Under the Sultan’s direction, Brunei’s government is distinguished as a constitutional absolute monarchy. Leading Brunei from 1967, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah has guided the country from a British protectorate to independence in 1984. The government uses a special legal system combining Islamic jurisprudence with English common law, so including elements of sharia law. This integration shows the country’s commitment to honoring its Islamic past in line with its ties to its colonial past.

The official language of Brunei, Malay serves as a uniting factor among the varied population. Deeply ingrained in the society and government of the country, Islam is the official religion. Still, the government formally allows the presence of other religions, so promoting some degree of religious diversity among the mostly Muslim population.

The history of Brunei is marked by periods of great influence interspersed with declining trends. Under Sultan Bolkiah, the Bruneian Empire peaked in the 15th and 16th centuries, allegedly controlling vast swathes of Borneo and nearby territory. Although the exact nature and degree of Brunei’s influence are still under debate, historical claims point to its reach to the Sulu archipelago and Seludong.

Brunei gradually lost both territorial extent and power in the 19th century. Notable territory losses were Sarawak’s cession to James Brooke, known as the White Rajah, and Sabah’s movement to the British North Borneo Chartered Company. Brunei was first established as a British protectorate in 1888; this position remained until its independence in 1984. The period of British influence, marked by the appointment of a British resident in 1906, profoundly affected Brunei’s development and political systems.

For Brunei, the 20th century brought different difficulties and changes. Following the drafting of a new constitution in 1959, the Japanese occupation during World War II was a major event. A minor armed rebellion under British support in 1962 led to the ban of the pro-independence Brunei People’s Party and affected the Sultan’s decision to keep Brunei’s sovereignty instead of affiliating with the Malaysian Federation.

Brunei has made good use of its many natural resources since gaining complete sovereignty to build a strong economy and guarantee a good quality of living for its people. About 90% of the country’s GDP comes from its enormous reserves of natural gas and petroleum, which help to define its wealth. With a 56% GDP rise from 1999 to 2008, Brunei’s resource-driven economy has helped to enable notable economic growth.

Using this riches, the government has created a thorough welfare state for its people providing free or greatly subsidized housing, healthcare, and education. Based on Brunei’s Human Development Index, which ranks second among nations in Southeast Asia only behind Singapore, this strategy has promoted political stability and improved quality of living.

The high GDP per capita of Brunei shows its economic success; the International Monetary Fund ranks it ninth worldwide. With daily production of almost 167,000 barrels, the country ranks fourth among all the oil producers in Southeast Asia. With daily production of roughly 25.3 million cubic meters of liquefied natural gas, Brunei ranks ninth in the world for gas exports.

Though small geographically, Brunei actively promotes international relations. Among the many important international organizations the country supports are the United Nations, World Trade Organization, East Asia Summit, Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Non-Aligned Movement, Commonwealth of Nations, and ASEAN. The memberships show Brunei’s will to maintain strong diplomatic ties with nations all around and its commitment to world cooperation.

Positioned on Borneo, Brunei has a total area of 5,765 square kilometers split into two non-contiguous sections that define its topography. Comprising the districts of Belait, Tutong, and Brunei-Muara, the western part fits about 97% of the population. Temburong District in the eastern part shows a mountainous topography and less population density. The unique topography has shaped the infrastructure plans and paths of development of the country.

Brunei has a tropical equatorial climate, with year-round rather large rainfall and constantly high temperatures. The country’s Borneo lowland rain forests, which fall under the ecoregion, are facilitated in growth by the climate. Like other Southeast Asian nations, Brunei faces difficulties related to climate change that could compromise its ecosystems and economy going forward.

Brunei boasts a developed infrastructure, most notably its 3,713.57 km road system, of which 86.8% of the roads are paved as of 2019. Air, sea, and land all allow one to reach the country; Brunei International Airport serves as the main point of access. The national carrier is Royal Brunei Airlines, which connects Brunei to many other countries. Essential links to nearby areas and the Temburong district come from the ferry terminal at Muara and speedboat services.