Exploring Brunei's Neighbors: A Guide To Nearby Countries

Brunei, officially Brunei Darussalam, is a small equatorial country in Southeast Asia. It is situated on the northern coast of the island of Borneo and is bordered by the South China Sea to the north and Malaysia to the south, east, and west. The country consists of two non-contiguous parts, divided by the Malaysian state of Sarawak, which also separates Brunei into two disconnected segments. The western segment is the larger of the two and contains the capital city of Bandar Seri Begawan. Brunei is one of the smallest countries in the world, with a total area of 5,765 square kilometres.

Malaysia surrounds Brunei on all sides except the north, where it has a coastline on the South China Sea

Brunei's territory is bisected by the Sarawak district of Limbang. The country is divided into two non-contiguous parts by a portion of Sarawak, with the western segment being the larger of the two and home to the capital city of Bandar Seri Begawan. The eastern segment is made up of the Temburong district, which is separated from the rest of the country by the Brunei Bay and the Malaysian state of Sarawak.

Brunei shares maritime borders with China and Malaysia. It has claimed an exclusive economic zone that extends 200 nautical miles from its coast, reaching deep into the middle of the South China Sea.

Brunei is divided into two non-contiguous territories by the Malaysian state of Sarawak

Brunei is a small oil-rich sultanate along the northern coast of the island of Borneo, which is divided into two non-contiguous parts by the Malaysian state of Sarawak. The country shares maritime borders with China and Malaysia. Brunei has a coastline on the South China Sea and is bounded on all other sides by Sarawak. The Limbang district of Sarawak separates the two territories of Brunei.

The western segment of Brunei is the larger of the two and contains the capital city of Bandar Seri Begawan. The eastern segment is separated from the rest of the country by the Brunei Bay and Malaysian state of Sarawak. About 97% of the population lives in the western part, while only about 10,000 people live in the mountainous eastern part.

The Limbang annexation by Sarawak in 1890 left Brunei with its current small land mass and separation into two parts. The de facto boundary runs along the watershed between the Brunei River and Limbang River basins on the western side of the Limbang district, and along the length of the Pandaruan River on the eastern side.

The status of Limbang as part of Sarawak has been disputed by Brunei since the area was first annexed in 1890. The issue was reportedly settled in 2009, with Brunei agreeing to accept the border in exchange for Malaysia giving up claims to oil fields in Bruneian waters. However, the Brunei government denies this and says that their claim on Limbang was never dropped.

The capital of Brunei, Bandar Seri Begawan, is located in the larger western segment of the country

Bandar Seri Begawan is known for its stunning architecture, including the Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque, considered one of the most beautiful mosques in the Asia-Pacific region. The city also features an older section called Kampong Ayer, where Brunei Malays live in houses built on stilts along the river's inlets.

Brunei's western segment, where Bandar Seri Begawan is located, is bordered by the South China Sea to the north and the Malaysian state of Sarawak to the south, east, and west. This segment is home to about three-quarters of Brunei's total population and is the centre of the country's oil industry, with the towns of Kuala Belait and Seria located in the oil-rich zone of the southwestern coast.

The western region also boasts lush rainforests and diverse wildlife, including proboscis monkeys, leaf monkeys, and various species of reptiles. The Belait River, the largest in the country, flows through this segment, providing a vital water source and contributing to the region's natural beauty.

In summary, Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of Brunei, is situated in the country's larger western segment, which is defined by its coastline on the South China Sea and its borders with the Malaysian state of Sarawak. The city is a cultural and economic hub, offering a blend of modern and traditional architecture and serving as a centre for the nation's thriving oil industry.

Brunei is a member of the Commonwealth and ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations)

Brunei is a small equatorial country on the northern coast of the island of Borneo in Southeast Asia. It is a member of the Commonwealth and ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations).

Brunei gained its independence from the United Kingdom on 1 January 1984 and became a member of the Commonwealth of Nations on the same day. It joined ASEAN on 7 January 1984, becoming the sixth member.

As a member of the Commonwealth, Brunei has received support from the Commonwealth Secretariat in several areas, including combating violent extremism, strengthening its legislation and methods for stopping corruption, and improving its skills to negotiate multilateral and regional trade agreements. The country has also participated in the Commonwealth Third Country Training Programme, where it received training and took part in fieldwork and activities on environmental issues.

Brunei's membership in ASEAN has allowed it to strengthen its regional relations and achieve recognition of its sovereignty and independence. It has also played a significant role in the organization, serving as the chair and hosting the ASEAN summit in 2013.

In addition to the Commonwealth and ASEAN, Brunei is also a member of other international organizations, including the United Nations, the World Trade Organization, the East Asia Summit, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, and the Non-Aligned Movement.

The country's population is approximately 455,858, with around 180,000 people living in the capital

Brunei, officially known as Brunei Darussalam, is a small country in Southeast Asia with a population of approximately 455,858 as of 2023. The country is situated on the northern coast of the island of Borneo and is surrounded by the Malaysian state of Sarawak. It consists of two non-contiguous parts, with the western segment being larger and containing the capital city of Bandar Seri Begawan.

Bandar Seri Begawan is the largest city in Brunei and is home to approximately 180,000 people. It is located on the Brunei River, about 9 miles from its mouth on Brunei Bay. The city has a modern section and an older part called Kampong Ayer, where Brunei Malays live in houses built on stilts along the river inlets.

Brunei has a total land area of 5,765 square kilometres, with a population density of around 80 people per square kilometre. The country's population is relatively young, with over half being under the age of 30. It has a high net migration rate, and the population is growing, although the growth rate is steadily decreasing.

The country's population is predominantly urban, with about 79% living in urban areas. The ethnic makeup is diverse, with Malays making up the majority, followed by Chinese and other indigenous groups. The official language is Malay, and Islam is the state religion, with over 80% of the population identifying as Muslim.

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