Brunei Darussalam

Brunei had strong trade links with China during the 6th century.
It came under Hindu influence after an allegiance to the Javanese Majapahit kingdom during the 13th century.
After the downfall of the Majapahit kingdom, most of the population adopted Islam as a religion.
Brunei became an independent sultanate during the early 15th century.
As a powerful sultanate, it controlled the northern part of Borneo and adjacent island chains.
Brunei lost Sarawak in 1841 and became a British protectorate in 1888.
The country became a British dependency in 1905.
Brunei was taken over by Japan during World War II.
It was later liberated by Australia in 1945.
The sultan regained control over internal affairs in 1959, but the responsibility for the state's defense and foreign affairs still rested with Britain.
The sultanate became fully independent in 1984.
Sultan Bolkiah was crowned the ruler in 1967 at the age of 22.
The rich Seria oilfields were discovered during this time which made the sultanate wealthy.
In Aug. 1998, Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah was inaugurated as heir to the 500-year-old monarchy.
Sultan Bolkiah initiated democratic reform in Sept. 2004 by reinstating the parliament for the first time since 1984.

Brunei is ruled by a constitutional sultanate.
Administrative divisions consist of four districts namely: Belait, Brunei and Muara, Temburong and Tutong.
National day (23 February (1984)) is observed as a national holiday.
The Constitution was founded on 29 September 1959.
The legal system is based on English common law.
For Muslims, Islamic Shari'a law supersedes civil law in certain situations.
Brunei has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction.
The monarch is both the chief of state and head of government.
The cabinet also consists of a Religious Council that advises on religious matters, a Privy Council that deals with constitutional matters and the Council of Succession that determines the succession to the throne if the need arises.
The Legislative Council consists of 29 members appointed by the monarch.
The judicial branch is represented by the Supreme Court.

Brunei has a small but stable economy.
Oil and natural gas production as well as overseas investments are the main contributors to economical growth.
The economy of Brunei is a mixture of foreign and domestic entrepreneurship, government regulation, welfare measures, and village tradition.
Future plans involve diversification into other revenue generating sectors like tourism and banking.
GDP (purchasing power parity) as calculated in 2007 is $19.64 billion.
4% of the population is unemployed.
Agricultural products include rice, vegetables, fruits; chickens, water buffalo, cattle, goats and eggs.
Main industries are petroleum, petroleum refining, liquefied natural gas and construction.
Export commodities include crude oil, natural gas, refined products and clothing.
Import commodities include machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food and chemicals.

Telecommunication systems in Brunei are highly developed and well established.
Brunei has three radio broadcast stations and four television broadcast stations.
Internet facilities are available throughout the country.
Brunei has two airports of which one has paved runways and three heliports.
Roadways span over a network of 3,650 km.
Waterways are 209 km long.
The merchant marine is equipped with 8 ships.
Main ports and terminals are located in Lumut, Muara and Seria.
Public hospitals provide free health care to all citizens.
The largest hospital in Brunei is Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha Hospital.
Brunei is accessible via sea and land travel.
Royal Brunei is the main airline company in Brunei.

92.7% of the total population is literate.
Education is sponsored by the government upto university level/
There is currently no medical school in Brunei and medical aspirants have to attend universities overseas.
A School of Nursing was founded in 1951.

Brunei is surrounded by:

Brunei is located in Southeastern Asia.
Its Geographic coordinates are 4 30 N, 114 40 E.
The country covers a total area of 5,770 sq km.
The coastline is 161 km long.
Brunei has a tropical climate that is hot, humid and rainy during most parts of the year.
The terrain comprises of a flat coastal plain that rises into mountains in the east and hilly lowland in west.
The highest point is Bukit Pagon standing at 1,850 m.
Natural resources include petroleum, natural gas and timber.
2.08% of the land is arable.
Typhoons, earthquakes and severe flooding occur very occasionally in the region.
Brunei is split into two parts separated by Malaysia.
It is almost an enclave within Malaysia.

According to a 2008 census, the total population of Brunei was estimated to be 381,371.
The annual population growth rate is 1.785% (2008 est.).
Birth rate: 18.39 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Death rate: 3.28 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)

Brunei participated at the Olympic Games in 1988 for the first time albeit, without any athletes.
The country has been competing at the Summer Olympic Games every year since 1996. Brunei has never participated in the Winter Olympic Games.
As of 2008, Brunei has ever won an Olympic medal.