Brunei is a small sultanate on the northern coast of the island of Borneo in Southeast Asia, surrounded on its land sides by the Malaysian state of Sarawak. It is known for its vast oil and natural gas wealth, which has made it one of the most prosperous nations in Asia. The country retains a rich Malay Islamic culture and is home to lush tropical rainforests covering much of its interior.
- Capital
- Bandar Seri Begawan
- Continent
- Asia
- Region
- South-Eastern Asia
- Area
- 5,765 km²
- Coordinates
- 4.5° N, 114.66666666° E
Country facts
- Brunei has been ruled by one of the world's longest-reigning royal families, with the current sultan, Hassanal Bolkiah, having been on the throne since 1967.
- Oil was discovered in Brunei in 1929, transforming the small territory into a wealthy nation.
- Malay, English, and Mandarin are widely spoken, but the official language is Malay.
- Brunei is one of only two countries in the world split into two non-contiguous parts, divided by the Malaysian district of Limbang.
- The national symbol of Brunei is the proboscis monkey, a distinctive primate native to Borneo.
Capital facts
- Bandar Seri Begawan sits along the Brunei River and serves as the political, cultural, and religious heart of the country.
- The city was known simply as Brunei Town until it was renamed in 1970 in honor of the late Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III.
- The Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque, completed in 1958, is considered one of the most beautiful mosques in Asia and dominates the city's skyline.
- Kampong Ayer, a collection of water villages built on stilts over the Brunei River, is home to tens of thousands of residents and has existed for centuries.
- The Royal Regalia Museum houses a remarkable collection of items from the sultan's 1968 coronation, including a golden chariot.