Country Details
| Land Area |
5,270 sq km |
Population |
330700 |
| Capital City |
Bandar Seri Begawan |
People |
Malay 67%, Chinese 15%, indigenous 6%, other 12% |
| Language |
Bahasa Malaysia, English & Hokkien Chinese widely spoken. |
Religion |
60% Muslim |
| Government Type |
constitutional sultanate |
Life Expectancy |
73.82 years |
| HIV/AIDS Rate |
0.2% (1999 est.) |
GNP per Capita |
$17,600 |
| Currency |
Bruneian dollar (BND) |
Major Exports |
crude oil, natural gas, refined products |
| National Holiday |
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 |
Dialing Code |
673 |
| Electricity |
|
Malaria Risk |
Low Risk |
| Water Quality |
|
Inoculations |
Yellow Fever, Polio, Typhoid, Cholera, Hepatitis A |
| Crime |
|
Driving License |
Local licence issued on presentation of foriegn licence. |
| Photography |
|
Entry Regs |
Passport, Americans need visa. Canadians and Briti |
| Time Zone |
GMT+8 |
|
|
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.
