Exploring The Unique Divisions Of Brunei: How Many?

Brunei, officially Brunei Darussalam, is a small country consisting of two unconnected parts with a total area of 5,765 square kilometres on the island of Borneo. It is divided into four districts: Brunei-Muara, Belait, Tutong, and Temburong. The country is surrounded by the Malaysian state of Sarawak and is the only sovereign state entirely on Borneo.

Brunei is divided into four districts: Brunei-Muara, Belait, Tutong and Temburong

Brunei-Muara is the smallest district in terms of area but the most populous. It is home to the country's capital, Bandar Seri Begawan, which is located on the Brunei River. Adjacent to the modern part of the city is the older Kampong Ayer, where Brunei Malays live in houses built on stilts along the river's inlets.

Belait is the birthplace and centre of the country's oil and gas industry. Kuala Belait and Seria are two towns within the district.

Temburong is an exclave, separated from the other three districts by the Brunei Bay and the Malaysian state of Sarawak. Bangar is the administrative centre of the Temburong district.

Tutong is home to Tasek Merimbun, the country's largest natural lake. The town of Tutong is administered by a municipal council.

Brunei's capital, Bandar Seri Begawan, is also its largest city

Bandar Seri Begawan is the capital and largest city of Brunei. It is officially a municipal area with an estimated population of 100,700 as of 2007. It is part of the Brunei-Muara District, the smallest yet most populous district, which is home to over 70% of the country's population. Bandar Seri Begawan is the country's largest urban centre and nominally its only city.

The history of Bandar Seri Begawan can be traced back to the establishment of a Malay stilt settlement on the waters of the Brunei River. It became the capital of the Bruneian Sultanate from the 16th century onwards and became a British protectorate in the 19th century. During World War II, the capital was occupied by Japanese forces from 1941 and bombed in 1945 upon liberation by Allied forces. Brunei's independence from the British was declared in the city centre on 1 January 1984.

Bandar Seri Begawan is home to Istana Nurul Iman, the largest residential palace in the world, and Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque, Brunei's iconic landmark. It is also home to Kampong Ayer, the largest 'water village' in the world, nicknamed the "Venice of the East". The city was renamed in 1970 to commemorate the 28th Sultan of Brunei, Omar Ali Saifuddien III, and his contribution to the modernisation of the country during his reign in the 20th century.

Bandar Seri Begawan is the administrative and financial centre of Brunei, with a port at the nearby mouth of the Muara River. It is home to Brunei's seat of government, as well as a commercial and cultural centre. The city has an international airport and ferry terminals offering service to neighbouring ports. Bandar Seri Begawan is also a hub for international travel between Europe and Australia/New Zealand.

The city is located in the Brunei-Muara District, which is the smallest yet most populous district in the country. Bandar Seri Begawan encompasses several mukims and villages within the district, including Mukim Berakas 'A', Mukim Berakas 'B', Mukim Burong Pingai Ayer, and Mukim Gadong 'A'. The district is characterised by low hills, marshy coastal plains, and narrow alluvial valleys along key rivers. Bandar Seri Begawan is easily accessible from Bukit Kota, a 133-metre hill near the eastern boundary of Brunei's western area.

The Brunei River, which flows into Brunei Bay, is one of several waterways converging near Bandar Seri Begawan. The Kedayan River, Sungai Damuan, and Sungai Imang enter the low-lying, swampy Brunei River basin at various points, with the Kedayan River joining near the city. The area is bordered by ridges and estuarine plains and has seen significant urban development. Bandar Seri Begawan has a tropical rainforest climate and experiences heavy precipitation throughout the year.

Brunei's official language is Malay, and its official religion is Islam

Brunei is a country in Southeast Asia, situated on the northern coast of the island of Borneo. It is divided into four districts: Brunei-Muara, Belait, Tutong, and Temburong. The official language of Brunei is Standard Malay, and the official religion is Islam.

Malay was designated as the official language of Brunei in 1959, with the signing of the country's constitution. The language is written using both the Latin alphabet (Rumi) and the Arabic alphabet (Jawi). While Standard Malay is used in formal contexts such as teaching and official speeches, the local dialect, Brunei Malay, is widely spoken and used in informal settings.

As an Islamic country, Brunei has adopted Islam as its official religion, specifically Sunni Islam. The state madh'hab of Islam in Brunei is the Shafi'i school of jurisprudence. The majority of the population, including Bruneian Malays and Kedayans, identify as Muslim, with Islam playing a central role in the country's culture and ideology.

Brunei's political system reflects the Malay Islamic Monarchy (MIB) philosophy, which encompasses Malay culture, the Islamic religion, and the political framework under the monarchy. The country is governed by a constitutional absolute monarchy, with the Sultan as the head of state and full executive authority.

While Islam is the official religion, Brunei guarantees freedom of religion for its citizens. However, the practice of non-Islamic religions is restricted in certain cases. While non-Islamic holidays are recognised, religious education is controlled, and the distribution of non-Islamic religious materials is prohibited.

In summary, Brunei, officially known as Brunei Darussalam, has Malay as its official language and Islam as its state religion. The country's culture and political system are deeply influenced by Malay and Islamic traditions, shaping the societal and governance frameworks of this Southeast Asian nation.

Brunei is ruled by Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, who has been in power since 1967

Brunei has been ruled by Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah since 1967, and he is one of the few remaining absolute monarchs in the world. He is the head of state with full executive authority and is also the country's prime minister, finance minister, and defence minister.

Hassanal Bolkiah was born in 1946 and became the crown prince in 1961. When his father, Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III, abdicated in 1967, Hassanal Bolkiah returned to Brunei from his studies in England to assume his new role as leader of the country. He was crowned on 5 October 1967 and his coronation ceremony took place on 1 August 1968.

For the first decade of his rule, his father remained a powerful influence, ruling from behind the scenes. However, after his mother's death in 1979, his father withdrew from public life, and the new sultan took on a more dominant role in the administration of Brunei. He travelled extensively within the country, meeting his subjects and promoting himself as ruler. In the years leading up to independence from Britain in 1984, he replaced British expatriates in the civil service with Bruneians and cracked down on corruption.

Hassanal Bolkiah has used the enormous income from Brunei's vast oil and natural gas reserves to make the country one of the world's most prosperous and socially secure societies. He is one of the wealthiest individuals in the world, with a net worth of $30 billion as of 2023. His extravagant lifestyle has become famous, and he is known for holding numerous world records, including owning the largest occupied palace in the world.

In addition to his role as sultan, he has also served as prime minister and minister of defence since Brunei's independence. He has held various other positions, including general of the Royal Brunei Malay Regiment, commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces, and head of the Royal Brunei Police, the Petroleum Unit, and the Broadcasting and Information Services.

Hassanal Bolkiah has been married three times, first to his cousin, Pengiran Anak Saleha, in 1965, then to Mariam Abdul Aziz in 1981, and finally to Azrinaz Mazhar Hakim in 2005. He has 18 grandchildren as of 2020.

Brunei is a small country, with just 5,765 square kilometres of land

Brunei is divided into four districts: Brunei-Muara, Belait, Tutong, and Temburong. The largest of these is Brunei-Muara, which is also home to the country's capital and largest city, Bandar Seri Begawan. Brunei-Muara is the smallest district in terms of size but the most populous, with more than half of the country's population residing there. The other major towns in Brunei include the port town of Muara, the oil-producing town of Seria, and its neighbouring town, Kuala Belait.

Despite its small size, Brunei has a significant population, with approximately 455,858 people calling the country home as of 2023. The population has been growing steadily since the 1960s and is projected to reach 560,000 by 2030. The majority of the population, around 97%, lives in the larger western part of the country, while only about 10,000 people inhabit the mountainous eastern region. The urban population is also significant, with an urbanisation rate of over 2% per year and an estimated 75% of the population living in urban areas.

In addition to its small size and population, Brunei also has a dense tropical rainforest covering much of its land area. This, along with its extensive petroleum and natural gas fields, contributes to its high per capita income, ranking ninth in the world by gross domestic product per capita at purchasing power parity. The discovery of oil and gas has transformed Brunei into an industrialised country, with a significant increase in GDP between 1999 and 2008.

Frequently asked questions