Brunei is very small and beautiful country.
The country is known for its incredible nature and its world famous Sultan (Muda Hassanal Bolkiah), who is considered to be one of the wealthiest people in the world.
Brunei has a very good quality of life and the living standard of the population is not very different from that of many EU countries, for example.
The residents of Brunei have GDP per capita of approximately $ 26,000.
Brunei can boast that it is a country without taxes!
Weather
Brunei has a hot equatorial climate.
The daily temperatures throughout the year vary between 30 and 32°C and the night are constant – approximately 24°C.
The climate is very humid with almost daily rain.
The rainfall is never below 100 mm per month.
The driest weather is in January, when accounting for about 100 – 110 mm, and the rainiest months are September, October and November, when the rainfall can reach 500 mm per month.
Nature
The nature of Brunei is very beautiful.
Most of the country is covered with dense and impassable equatorial forests.
Borneo island itself, where is situated The Kingdom of Brunei is known as one of the places with the richest and most diverse nature of the planet, together with the jungles of Amazonia and those in Central America and Africa.
Here you can find species such as Asian elephant, leopard, wild boar, monkeys and orangutan – one of the rarest creatures on the planet.
Much of the nature of Brunei is protected by law.
In the eastern parts of the country is located Ulu Temburong National Park.
Here you can find an amazing variety of species.
To spend even a few hours in the local scenery is an unforgettable experience as you can feel that everywhere around you is boiling of life.
In the rainforests of Brunei run many rivers, some of them large. Most of them are running slowly, because the altitude of Brunei is insignificant.
The only exception is the southeast, where there are low mountains, located within the Ulu Temburong National Park.
Geography
Brunei is located between 4 and 5° north latitude in the northern parts of the island of Borneo.
The small country has an area of 5,770 sq.km. and is surrounded by the Malay state of Sarawak.
To the north it has wide outlet to the South China Sea.
Brunei is divided into two parts without land connection between themselves on the territory of the country, as they are divided of the Sarawak state.
The country has several small islands, but most of them are deserted.
Relief
Brunei has a flat topography.
The lowest parts of the country are located on the coast of South China Sea.
The only mountains throughout the country are located in the southeast, where rises the highest point in the country – Mount Pago, 1850 meters high.
Population
The population of Brunei is approximately 390,000 inhabitants, 60 000 of who live in the country’s capital Bandar Seri Begawan.
Because of the small area of the country, the cities rather reminiscent of separate quarters of the same city.
Even the most remote parts of the country can be reached in about two hours travel by car.
But let’s back to the population.
The ethnic composition of the local population is very diverse – Malayan, Chinese, Indians, Dayak, as well as a small number of Europeans and others.
The religious diversity is not less – here you can see many Christians, Confucians, Taoist, Muslim and many others.
Economy
Brunei’s economy relies strongly to the oil and natural gas.
The remaining sectors have very little impact to the economy of the country as a whole.
Besides oil and gas, the country has a small income from agriculture.
Here are grown coconut palms, bananas, mangoes and other tropical plants.
For now, tourism is underdeveloped, but it has great prospects as the country is located in the rapidly developing area, has the necessary natural resources and has the necessary political and economic security – facts that are very important, if Brunei wish to attract foreign visitors.
The country has well developed infrastructure, however, covers mainly the northern and coastal regions of the country.
History
Brunei was strong and great country in 15 and 16 century and controlled nearly a century the biggest part of the island of Borneo.
Gradually, however, the economic power of the country weakened and it easy became possession of Britain in 1888.
In the 20th century, Brunei has attempted to get rid of the government of the UK, but this happens in 1984.
Today the country is a member of the Commonwealth, which offers a wide choice of economic partners, most of them highly developed countries.
In brief:
– Population – 390 000.
– Capital – Bandar Seri Begawan
– Currency – Brunei Dollar
– GDP – about $ 26,000
– Official religion – Islam
– Official languages – English and Malay
– Climate – equatorial
– Exports – oil and gas
– The predominant nature – equatorial jungle
– Agriculture – coconuts, bananas, mangoes