World Facts Index
 The Sultanate of Brunei's influence peaked between the 15th and 17th centuries when its control extended over
coastal areas of northwest Borneo and the southern Philippines. Brunei subsequently
entered a period of decline brought on by internal strife over royal succession, colonial
expansion of European powers, and piracy. In 1888, Brunei became a British protectorate;
independence was achieved in 1984. The same family has ruled Brunei for over six
centuries. Brunei benefits from extensive petroleum and natural gas fields, the source of
one of the highest per capita GDPs in the developing world.
Geography of Brunei
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Location:
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Southeastern Asia,
bordering the South China Sea and Malaysia |
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Coordinates:
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4 30 N, 114 40 E |
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Area:
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total: 5,770 sq km
water: 500 sq km
land: 5,270 sq km |
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Area comparative:
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slightly smaller than
Delaware |
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Land boundaries:
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total: 381 km
border countries: Malaysia 381 km |
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Coastline:
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161 km |
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Maritime claims:
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exclusive economic zone:
200 NM or to median line
territorial sea: 12 NM |
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Climate:
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tropical; hot, humid, rainy |
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Terrain:
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flat coastal plain rises to
mountains in east; hilly lowland in west |
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Elevation extremes:
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lowest point: South
China Sea 0 m
highest point: Bukit Pagon 1,850 m |
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Natural resources:
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petroleum, natural gas,
timber |
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Natural hazards:
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typhoons, earthquakes, and
severe flooding are rare |
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Environment - current issues:
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seasonal smoke/haze
resulting from forest fires in Indonesia |
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Geography - note:
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close to vital sea lanes
through South China Sea linking Indian and Pacific Oceans; two parts
physically separated by Malaysia; almost an enclave of Malaysia
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Population of Brunei
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Population:
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381,371 (July 2008 est.) |
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Age structure:
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0-14 years: 28.1% (male 54,411/female 52,134)
15-64 years: 68.8% (male 138,129/female 123,017)
65 years and over: 3.1% (male 5,584/female 6,169) |
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Median age:
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27.4 years |
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Growth rate:
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1.87% |
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Infant mortality:
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12.25 deaths/1,000 live births |
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Life expectancy at birth:
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total population: 75.01 years
male: 72.57 years
female: 77.59 years |
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Total fertility rate:
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2.28 children born/woman |
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Nationality:
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noun: Bruneian(s)
adjective: Bruneian |
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Ethnic groups:
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Malay 67%, Chinese 15%, indigenous 6%,
other 12% |
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Religions:
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Muslim (official) 67%, Buddhist 13%,
Christian 10%, indigenous beliefs and other 10% |
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Languages:
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Malay (official), English, Chinese |
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Literacy:
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definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 93.9%
male: 96.3%
female: 91.4%
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Government
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Country name:
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long form: Negara
Brunei Darussalam |
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Government type:
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constitutional sultanate |
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Capital:
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Bandar Seri Begawan |
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Administrative divisions:
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4 districts (daerah-daerah, singular -
daerah); Belait, Brunei and Muara, Temburong, Tutong |
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Independence:
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1 January 1984 (from UK) |
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National holiday:
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National Day, 23 February (1984); note - 1
January 1984 was the date of independence from the UK, 23 February 1984 was the date of
independence from British protection |
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Constitution:
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29 September 1959 (some provisions
suspended under a State of Emergency since December 1962, others since independence on 1
January 1984) |
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Legal system:
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based on English common law; for Muslims,
Islamic Shari'a law supersedes civil law in a number of areas |
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Executive branch:
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chief of state: Sultan and Prime Minister Sir
HASSANAL Bolkiah (since 5 October 1967); note - the monarch is both the chief of
state and head of government
head of government: Sultan and Prime Minister Sir HASSANAL Bolkiah (since 5
October 1967)
cabinet: Council of Cabinet Ministers appointed and presided over by the
monarch; deals with executive matters; note - there is also a Religious Council
(members appointed by the monarch) that advises on religious matters, a Privy
Council (members appointed by the monarch) that deals with constitutional
matters, and the Council of Succession (members appointed by the monarch) that
determines the succession to the throne if the need arises
elections: none; the monarch is hereditary |
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Legislative branch:
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Legislative Council met on 25 September 2004 for first
time in 20 years with 21 members appointed by the Sultan; passed constitutional amendments
calling for a 45-seat council with 15 elected members; Sultan dissolved council on 1
September 2005 and appointed a new council with 29 members as of 2 September 2005 |
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Judicial branch:
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Supreme Court - chief justice and judges are sworn in by
monarch for three-year terms; Judicial Committee of Privy Council in London is final court
of appeal for civil cases; Shariah courts deal with Islamic laws. |
Economy
Brunei has a small well-to-do economy that encompasses a mixture of foreign
and domestic entrepreneurship, government regulation, welfare measures, and
village tradition. Crude oil and natural gas production account for just over
half of GDP and more than 90% of exports. Per capita GDP is among the highest
in Asia, and substantial income from overseas investment supplements income
from domestic production. The government provides for all medical services and
free education through the university level and subsidizes rice and housing.
Brunei's leaders are concerned that steadily increased integration in the
world economy will undermine internal social cohesion. 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.
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GDP:
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$19.64 billion (2007 est.) |
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GDP growth rate:
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1.7% |
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GDP per capita:
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$23,600 |
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GDP composition by sector:
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agriculture: 3.6%
industry: 56.1%
services: 40.3% |
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Labor force:
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146,300
note: includes foreign workers and military personnel; temporary residents
make up about 40% of labor force |
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Labor force - by occupation:
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agriculture: 2.9%
industry: 61.1%
services: 36% |
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Unemployment:
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4.8% |
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Budget:
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revenues: $3.765 billion
expenditures: $4.815 billion |
|
Electricity production by source:
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fossil fuel: 100%
hydro: 0%
other: 0%
nuclear: 0% |
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Industries:
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petroleum, petroleum
refining, liquefied natural gas, construction |
|
Agriculture:
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rice, vegetables, fruits,
chickens, water buffalo |
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Exports:
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crude oil, natural gas,
refined products |
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Export partners:
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Japan 41.8%, South Korea 15.2%, US 10.8%, Australia
10.3%, Indonesia 6.5% |
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Imports:
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machinery and transport
equipment, manufactured goods, food, chemicals |
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Import partners:
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Singapore 32.6%, Malaysia 24.9%, Japan 6.9%, UK
6.9%, Thailand 4.5% |
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Currency:
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Bruneian dollar (BND) |
SOURCES: The CIA World Factbook, U.S. Department of State, Area Handbook of the US Library of Congress
Copyright 2004 - 2008 worldfacts.us |