Brunei's Land And Water Territory: A Comprehensive Overview

Brunei, officially the State of Brunei Darussalam, is a small country in Southeast Asia with a total area of 5,765 square kilometres (2,226 square miles). It is divided into two parts, each surrounded by the Malaysian state of Sarawak, and has a coastline along the South China Sea. The western segment is the larger of the two and contains the capital city of Bandar Seri Begawan. The country has a population of approximately 455,000 as of 2023, with about 180,000 people residing in the capital. Brunei gained its independence from the United Kingdom in 1984 and has since become a highly industrialised country, with a significant portion of its wealth derived from its petroleum and natural gas fields.

Brunei is a small country with a total area of 5,765 sq. km

The western segment of Brunei is the larger of the two and contains the capital city of Bandar Seri Begawan. This area is home to about 97% of the population and is the centre of the country's oil and gas industry. The eastern segment, the Temburong district, is mountainous and much less populated, with only about 10,000 residents.

Brunei has a coastline of about 161 km along the South China Sea and shares a 381 km border with Malaysia. The terrain varies from flat coastal plains in the west to rugged mountains in the east, with the highest point being Bukit Pagon at 1,850 m above sea level. The country has a tropical climate with high humidity and an average temperature range of 23-32 °C.

Brunei is known for its dense tropical rainforests, which cover about three-fifths of the country. The rainforests are home to a diverse range of animal and plant species, including proboscis monkeys, pangolins, and various species of hardwood trees. The country's economy is largely dependent on its major oil and natural gas fields, making it one of the highest-income countries in Asia.

With a population of approximately 455,858 as of 2023, Brunei has a mixture of Southeast Asian ethnic groups, including Malays, Chinese, indigenous peoples, and Indians. The official language is Malay, and the country has one of the highest car ownership rates in the world due to factors such as the absence of a comprehensive transport system and low fuel prices.

It is divided into two parts by the Malaysian state of Sarawak

Brunei is a small country located on the island of Borneo in Southeast Asia. With an area of just 5,765 square kilometers (2,226 sq mi), it is slightly smaller than the state of Delaware in the United States or the country of Jamaica. What makes Brunei unique is that its territory is not only small but also divided into two distinct parts by the Malaysian state of Sarawak.

This division of Brunei's territory is a result of its complex historical and political relationship with its larger neighbor, Malaysia. The two parts of Brunei are often referred to as the "Brunei Darussalam mainland" and the "Temburong district exclave." The mainland portion of Brunei comprises a narrow strip of land along the coast of Borneo, stretching from the Malaysian state of Sabah in the north to the Sarawak district of Limbang in the south.

The Temburong district, on the other hand, is completely separated from the mainland by the Sarawak district of Limbang. It is an exclave, which means it is a portion of territory politically attached to a country but not physically connected to its main part. The district is surrounded by Sarawak on three sides and has a coastline along the Brunei Bay. The district is mostly covered in dense rainforest and is known for its natural beauty and eco-tourism attractions.

The division of Brunei's territory has had a significant impact on the country's development and infrastructure. Traveling between the two parts of the country requires crossing the border into Malaysia and obtaining the necessary visas and permits. To address this challenge, a 30-kilometer-long highway project, known as the Temburong Bridge, was completed in 2020, connecting the mainland to the Temburong exclave. This bridge has significantly reduced travel time and improved connectivity between the two parts of the country.

The unique geographical situation of Brunei has also influenced its cultural and economic landscape. Despite its small size, Brunei is ethnically and culturally diverse, with a population of approximately 450,000 people. The country is known for its rich traditional arts, including weaving, woodcarving, and metalcraft. Additionally, Brunei's economy, largely dependent on oil and gas exports, has been strategically developed to ensure the country's prosperity and provide a high standard of living for its citizens.

Brunei has a coastline of about 161 km along the South China Sea

Brunei, officially known as Brunei Darussalam, is a small country in Southeast Asia with a coastline of about 161 km along the South China Sea. It is situated on the northern coast of the island of Borneo and shares a 381 km land border with Malaysia, which surrounds it on three sides. Brunei is divided into two parts, physically separated by Malaysia, making it almost an enclave within Malaysia. The western part of the country is larger and more populous, while the eastern part is mountainous with a much smaller population.

The terrain of Brunei consists of a flat coastal plain that rises to mountainous regions in the east and hilly lowlands in the west. The country has a tropical climate with high humidity, and the entire nation typically experiences the same weather conditions. The South China Sea is vital for Brunei, as it provides access to important sea lanes connecting the Indian and Pacific Oceans.

Brunei has a long history as a maritime state, and its economy is heavily dependent on the export of natural resources, particularly oil and natural gas. The country has one of the highest per capita incomes in Asia, thanks to its extensive petroleum and natural gas fields. However, with domestic reserves declining, Brunei must find new ways to secure its economy.

In recent years, Brunei has been cautious in asserting its territorial claims in the South China Sea. The country has conflicting interests with China, Malaysia, and other neighbouring nations over maritime boundaries and islands in the region. Brunei's claims stem from its history as a British colony, and upon independence in 1984, it released maps detailing its maritime claims, including its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and continental shelf.

Brunei's cautious approach to asserting its territorial claims may be due to its desire to maintain neutral and constructive relations with other countries in the region, particularly China, which has invested heavily in the country. Brunei's foreign policy stresses the importance of bilateral conflict resolution and the ASEAN-China code of conduct. At the same time, the presence of British troops in the country serves as a deterrent to potential aggressors.

The country is mostly covered in tropical rainforest

Brunei's tropical rainforests contain rare species, such as the proboscis monkey, found only on the island of Borneo. Other unique species found in the Brunei rainforest include the clouded leopard, the rhinoceros hornbill, the helmeted hornbill, the pangolin, the sun bear, and a species of miniature palm tree, Licuala, found in Brunei's Sungai Ingei forests.

The Ulu Temburong National Park, located in the easternmost part of Brunei in the Temburong district, is considered the crown jewel of Brunei's green landscapes. This sprawling 50,000-hectare expanse of undisturbed rainforests is home to a wide range of lowland and mountain forests and is considered one of the most diverse ecosystems in the world.

While Brunei has retained most of its forests, there are threats to its rainforests, including deforestation and poaching. However, conservation efforts are in place, with national forest reserves constituting 41% of the country's total land area and protected by law. A quarter of this area is designated as unexploitable to conserve the forests. Brunei also participates in the Heart of Borneo Initiative, a collaborative effort with Indonesia and Malaysia to conserve biodiversity and promote sustainable forest and land use.

It has one of the highest per capita incomes in Asia

Brunei, officially the State of Brunei Darussalam, is a small but wealthy country in Southeast Asia. With a population of around 455,000 as of 2024, it is the smallest country in the region by far. Nevertheless, its GDP was roughly $17 billion in 2022, making up 0.5% of Southeast Asia's GDP. This translates to a per capita GDP of $37,152 in 2022, the second-highest in the region after Singapore. Brunei's per capita income is also high compared to upper-middle-income countries in the region, such as Malaysia and Thailand.

The country's wealth is derived almost entirely from exports of crude oil and natural gas, which have provided substantial revenue since independence in 1984. In 2022, the oil and gas sector accounted for 51.7% of GDP. Brunei is the third-largest oil producer in Southeast Asia and the ninth-largest producer of liquefied natural gas in the world. The country's proven oil and gas reserves are expected to last until at least 2035.

The government has prioritised diversifying the economy away from oil and gas, investing in other sectors such as agriculture, forestry, fishing, and banking. However, these non-petroleum industries still account for a small portion of the country's economic activity. Brunei's leaders are concerned that increasing integration into the world economy could undermine internal social cohesion, but they have also taken steps to become a more prominent player in the global economy, such as by serving as chairman of the 2000 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum.

The government provides for all medical services and subsidises food and housing, contributing to a high quality of life for its citizens. Brunei ranks 55th out of 193 countries on the Human Development Index, reflecting its high per capita income and strong social development.

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