Exploring The Total Land Area Of Brunei

Brunei, officially Brunei Darussalam, is a small country in Southeast Asia, situated on the northern coast of the island of Borneo. It has a total land area of 5,765 square kilometres (2,226 sq mi) or 5,770 km² (2,228 mi²), making it one of the smallest countries in Asia by area. The country consists of two unconnected parts, with about 97% of the population living in the larger western part and only about 10,000 people in the mountainous eastern part. Brunei is surrounded by the Malaysian state of Sarawak, except for its coastline on the South China Sea.

Brunei is a small country, with an area of 5,765 square kilometres

Brunei is the only sovereign state entirely on Borneo, with the remainder of the island divided between Malaysia and Indonesia. It is one of the smallest countries in Asia by area and is ranked 173rd in the world in terms of size. Despite its small size, Brunei has one of the world's highest standards of living, thanks to its bountiful oil and gas reserves. The country has a high GDP per capita and is ranked ninth in the world in this regard.

Brunei's population is approximately 408,000 as of July 2010, with around 150,000 people living in the capital, Bandar Seri Begawan. The official language is Malay, and the country's wealth is derived primarily from its petroleum and natural gas fields. Brunei has a constitutional absolute monarchy ruled by the Sultan, who also serves as the country's prime minister, finance minister, and defence minister.

The country's media is neither diverse nor free, with the private press being owned or controlled by the royal family, and broadcasting dominated by state radio and TV. Brunei has a high net migration rate and a growing population, with over one-fifth under the age of 15. The standard of living is high, and the Sultan regularly allocates land lots and housing to deserving residents.

It is located on the northern coast of Borneo and is the only sovereign state on the island

Brunei is located on the northern coast of Borneo, an island in Maritime Southeast Asia. It is the only sovereign state on the island, with the remainder of Borneo divided between Malaysia and Indonesia. The East Malaysian state of Sarawak surrounds Brunei on all sides except for its coastline on the South China Sea.

Borneo is the third-largest island in the world, with an area of 748,168 square kilometres (288,869 square miles). It is one of the Greater Sunda Islands, located north of Java, west of Sulawesi, and east of Sumatra. The island is divided between three countries: Malaysia and Brunei in the north, and Indonesia in the south. Approximately 73% of the island is Indonesian territory, with the East Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak making up about 26%. Brunei, located on the north coast, comprises about 1% of Borneo's land area.

Borneo is home to a diverse range of ecosystems, including lowland and mountain rainforests, peat swamp forests, and mangrove swamps. The island has a rich biodiversity, with thousands of species of flowering plants, trees, terrestrial mammals, and birds. It is also known for its extensive cave systems.

The island is inhabited by a variety of ethnic groups, including Malays, Dayaks, Chinese, and Europeans. The population is concentrated in coastal cities and towns, with the highest population densities in South Kalimantan and eastern, western, and northern coastal areas.

Brunei is surrounded by the Malaysian state of Sarawak and has a coastline on the South China Sea

Brunei is a small country located in Southeast Asia on the northwestern coast of the island of Borneo. It is completely surrounded by the sea and the Malaysian state of Sarawak, with its territory bifurcated by the Sarawak district of Limbang. Brunei is the only sovereign state on Borneo; the remainder of the island is divided between Malaysia and Indonesia.

Sarawak is one of 13 states in Malaysia and is located in East Malaysia in northwest Borneo. It is the largest of the 13 states, with an area almost equal to that of Peninsular Malaysia. Sarawak is bordered by the Malaysian state of Sabah to the northeast, Kalimantan (the Indonesian portion of Borneo) to the south, and Brunei in the north.

Sarawak and Brunei have a long shared history. The coastal regions of Sarawak came under the influence of the Bruneian Empire in the 16th century. In 1888, Brunei became a British protectorate, and in 1890, the Raj of Sarawak annexed Brunei's Pandaruan District, leaving Brunei with its current small land mass and separation into two parts.

In modern times, Sarawak and Brunei continue to maintain close ties. In 2023, Sarawak expressed interest in strengthening the Brunei-Sarawak Joint Committee at the ministerial level and being assisted by the Joint Working Group at the senior official stage for bilateral relations. Sarawak has also proposed extending the Brunei-Malaysia Frequent Traveller Programme to customs, immigration, quarantine, and security checkpoints to facilitate travel for people going to Kota Kinabalu.

Sarawak and Brunei also share a coastline on the South China Sea. Territorial disputes in the South China Sea involve conflicting island and maritime claims made by Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, the People's Republic of China, Taiwan, and Vietnam. Brunei has a 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone that overlaps with China's nine-dash line, and it asserts its maritime jurisdiction over these areas.

Brunei has a total land area of 5,765 square kilometres, with 161 kilometres of coastline next to the South China Sea. Sarawak's coastline is interrupted in the north by about 150 kilometres of Bruneian coast.

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

Brunei is divided into four districts: Brunei-Muara, Belait, Tutong, and Temburong. The country's capital, Bandar Seri Begawan, is located in the Brunei-Muara district, which is the smallest yet most populous district. The Belait district is the birthplace and centre of the country's oil and gas industry. Temburong is an exclave, separated from the rest of the country by the Brunei Bay and the Malaysian state of Sarawak. The Tutong district is home to Tasek Merimbun, the country's largest natural lake.

Each district is further divided into several mukims, or subdistricts. There are 39 mukims in total across Brunei. Each mukim encompasses several villages, known as kampung or kampong.

Bandar Seri Begawan and other towns in the country, with the exception of Muara and Bangar, are administered as Municipal Board areas. Each municipal area may constitute villages or mukims, either partially or as a whole. Bandar Seri Begawan and a few other towns also serve as district capitals.

A District Office governs each district and its constituent mukims and villages, while municipal areas are overseen by Municipal Departments. Both District Offices and Municipal Departments are government branches under the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Brunei has a population of around 455,000, with approximately 180,000 people living in the capital, Bandar Seri Begawan

Bandar Seri Begawan is the capital and largest city of Brunei. It is situated on the Brunei River, near its mouth on Brunei Bay, an inlet of the South China Sea on the northern coast of Borneo. The city was once predominantly an agricultural trade centre and river port. However, after suffering extensive damage during World War II, it was largely rebuilt and became the country's administrative and financial centre. Today, it is a modern city with a port at the nearby mouth of the Muara River. Bandar Seri Begawan is also home to Brunei's only international airport.

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 was occupied by Japanese forces during World War II. Brunei's independence from the British was declared in the city centre on 1 January 1984. The city has grown and developed over time, with its modern administration established on land during the 20th century.

Bandar Seri Begawan is a cultural and commercial hub, with a mix of historical and religious sites. The city is home to several important mosques, including the Ash-Shaliheen Mosque, Jame' Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque, and Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque. The Pro-Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption is another noteworthy house of worship. The city also boasts historical attractions such as the tombs of Bolkiah and Sharif Ali in Kota Batu and the Lapau, traditionally used for royal ceremonies. Bandar Seri Begawan also hosts several museums, including the Brunei Museum, the country's largest archaeological site, and the Royal Regalia Museum.

Frequently asked questions