Brunei: Island Or Not? Exploring The Country's Geography

Brunei, officially the State of Brunei, Abode of Peace, is a small equatorial country located on the island of Borneo in Southeast Asia. It is situated on the northern coast of Borneo and is surrounded by the Malaysian state of Sarawak, apart from its coastline with the South China Sea. Brunei is the only sovereign state entirely on Borneo; the remainder of the island is divided between Malaysia and Indonesia. The country is divided into two unconnected parts, with approximately 97% of the population living in the larger western part, and the remaining 3% in the mountainous eastern section.

Brunei's location on the island of Borneo

Brunei, officially known as the State of Brunei, Abode of Peace, is a small country located on the northern coast of the island of Borneo in Southeast Asia. It is the only sovereign state entirely on Borneo; the remainder of the island is divided between Malaysia and Indonesia. Brunei has a coastline along the South China Sea and is otherwise completely surrounded by the Malaysian state of Sarawak. The country is divided into two unconnected parts, with the vast majority (approximately 97%) of the population living in the larger western section.

Brunei has a total land area of 2,226 square miles (5,765 square kilometres), which is slightly smaller than the US state of Delaware. The country is home to a diverse range of ecosystems, including flat coastal plains, mountains, and hilly lowland. The highest point in Brunei is Bukit Pagon, which stands at 6,069 feet (1,850 metres) above sea level. The country has a tropical equatorial climate, with high temperatures, high humidity, abundant sunshine, and heavy rainfall throughout the year.

Brunei has a rich history, dating back to the 7th or 8th century when the trading kingdom of Po-ni is believed to have existed at the mouth of the Brunei River. The country was a powerful sultanate, with its peak of influence occurring during the reign of Sultan Bolkiah from 1485 to 1528. During this time, the Bruneian Empire is claimed to have controlled most of Borneo, as well as parts of the modern-day Philippines.

In the 19th century, the Bruneian Empire began to decline, and the country ceded territories to James Brooke, who became known as the White Rajah of Sarawak. Brunei became a British protectorate in 1888 and gained its independence in 1984. Today, Brunei is a constitutional absolute monarchy, with Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah as the head of state and head of government. The country has a unique political system, with no elections held since 1962.

Brunei's economy is heavily dependent on its extensive petroleum and natural gas fields, which have transformed the country into an industrialised nation. The country also has a diverse range of natural resources, including timber, and it has retained much of its forest cover compared to its neighbouring countries on Borneo.

The culture of Brunei is predominantly Malay, with heavy influences from Islam, and the country is known for its conservative values. The official language of Brunei is Malay, and English is widely used as a business and official language. The country has a population of approximately 455,858 as of 2023, with the majority residing in the capital and largest city, Bandar Seri Begawan.

The country's history as a sultanate

Brunei, officially known as the State of Brunei, Abode of Peace, is a constitutional absolute monarchy ruled by the Sultan. It is a small country located on the island of Borneo in Southeast Asia. It is the only sovereign state entirely on Borneo, with the remainder of the island divided between Malaysia and Indonesia.

At its peak, the Bruneian Empire during the reign of Sultan Bolkiah (1485-1528) controlled most of Borneo, including modern-day Sarawak and Sabah, as well as the Sulu Archipelago and the islands off the northwestern tip of Borneo. The maritime state of Brunei was visited by the surviving crew of the Magellan Expedition in 1521, and a Portuguese account described the sultan's palace as surrounded by a stone wall.

However, the Bruneian Empire began to decline in the 19th century. The Sultanate ceded territories to the British and installed James Brooke as the White Rajah of Sarawak. In 1888, Brunei became a British protectorate and was assigned a British resident as colonial manager in 1906.

After World War II, a new constitution was written in 1959, and Brunei became a self-governing state, with the Sultan as the head of state and full executive authority. However, a small rebellion against the monarchy in 1962 led to the ban of the pro-independence Brunei People's Party and influenced the Sultan's decision to maintain Brunei as a separate state from Malaysia.

Brunei gained its independence from the United Kingdom on January 1, 1984, and an Islamic sultanate was proclaimed, with the Sultan becoming the prime minister and holding several other ministerial posts. The country has maintained its status as a constitutional absolute monarchy, with the Sultan's role enshrined in the national philosophy of Malay Islamic Monarchy.

Brunei's natural resources and economy

Brunei, officially the State of Brunei, Abode of Peace, is a small, wealthy country with one of the world's highest standards of living. Its economy is almost entirely supported by exports of crude oil and natural gas, with revenues from the petroleum sector accounting for over half of its 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 also has rich deposits of white quartz sand.

The government provides for all medical services and subsidises food and housing. It has shown progress in its basic policy of diversifying the economy away from oil and gas, with agriculture and fisheries being among the industrial sectors selected for the highest priority in this effort. Brunei has become self-sufficient in the production of poultry and eggs and is approaching self-sufficiency in vegetables.

The country's per capita GDP is high, and substantial income from overseas investment supplements income from domestic production. Brunei has one of the highest car ownership rates in the world.

The country's leaders are concerned that increasing integration into the world economy will undermine internal social cohesion. However, Brunei has taken steps to become a more prominent player in the global economy, such as serving as chairman for the 2000 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum.

The country's culture and demographics

Brunei, officially known as Brunei Darussalam, is a small country in Southeast Asia with a population of approximately 455,858 as of 2023. It is situated on the northern coast of the island of Borneo and is completely surrounded by the Malaysian state of Sarawak. The official language of Brunei is Malay, and Islam is the state religion, although other religions are tolerated. The country has a constitutional absolute monarchy ruled by the Sultan, currently Hassanal Bolkiah, who has led the country since 1967.

Culture

The culture of Brunei is predominantly Malay, with heavy influences from Hinduism and Islam, but it is considered more conservative than neighbouring Malaysia. The sale and public consumption of alcohol are banned, although non-Muslims are allowed to bring in a limited amount for personal consumption. The media in Brunei is largely pro-government, and self-censorship is common when covering politics and religion.

Brunei has a rich folk music and dance heritage, with many traditional dances such as the Benari folk dance and the Aduk-Aduk, a ceremonial dance performed by the Kedayan people. The country also has a strong literary tradition, with poetry being particularly popular among schoolchildren.

Demographics

The population of Brunei is approximately 455,858 as of 2023, with around 180,000 people residing in the capital and largest city, Bandar Seri Begawan. The country has a high urbanisation rate, with 76% of the population living in urban areas as of 2021. The average life expectancy is 77.7 years, and the birth rate is around the global average.

Brunei is a Malay-majority country, with approximately 65.7% of the population identifying as Malay in 2016. However, there are many cultural and linguistic differences between the Bruneian Malays and the larger Malay populations in neighbouring Malaysia and Indonesia. Other ethnic groups include the Chinese, who make up about 10-15% of the population, and indigenous groups such as the Iban, Dusun, and Murut, who together account for about 6-10% of the population.

The official language of Brunei is Malay, and English is widely understood and used in business. Other languages spoken include various Chinese dialects, Iban, and several native dialects.

Islam is the official religion of Brunei, with approximately 82% of the population identifying as Muslim. Other faiths practised include Buddhism (mainly by the Chinese population), Christianity, and indigenous religions.

Brunei's political system

Brunei is an absolute monarchy, with the Sultan of Brunei serving as both the head of state and the head of government. The country is the only ruling monarchy in Southeast Asia and one of seven monarchic dictatorships in the world as of 2023. The Sultan holds absolute executive authority and appoints the legislative council members and the supreme court. The sultan and prime minister roles are hereditary.

The country's politics take place within the framework of the Melayu Islam Beraja (MIB) state philosophy, which combines Islamic law, Malay culture, and monarchical rule. Brunei has a dual legal system, with a British system based on English common law and an Islamic Sharia system.

The Sultan is advised and assisted by five councils, which he appoints: the Council of Ministers or cabinet, the Religious Council, the Privy Council, the Council of Succession, and the Council of Cabinet Ministers. The Council of Ministers, which the Sultan chairs as prime minister, performs the daily administrative functions of the government. The Religious Council advises the Sultan on matters pertaining to Islam, which is the state religion. The Privy Council advises the Sultan on matters concerning the exercise of authority, such as the amendment or revocation of constitutional provisions. The Council of Succession decides who will succeed to the throne, if necessary. The Council of Cabinet Ministers, which includes the Sultan as prime minister, advises the Sultan on matters of national administration and policy approval.

Brunei has not held national elections since 1962 and does not allow political parties to participate in elections. The country has a unicameral legislature, the Legislative Council, whose members are appointed by the Sultan. This council has no political authority and serves a consultative role, convening once a year for a two-week session.

The lack of national elections limits legitimate political involvement and prevents opposition forces from gaining prominence, allowing the Sultan to retain his position of power. Social movements offer restricted channels for contesting unpopular policies, but racial and religious minorities have limited opportunities to get involved in politics, even at the local level. While there are no elections, a few legal parties exist, including the National Development Party, which has pledged to cooperate with the government and swear allegiance to the monarch.

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