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'''Brunei''' is a tiny nation on the north coast of the island of [[Borneo]], and is a former [[Malaysia]]n sultanate.  It has been a sovereign state since 1965 following its withdrawal from the Federal Malay States after being granted independence by the British colonial power. Although only a small country it has immense oil wealth and the current Sultan is regarded as one of the richest men in the world. It declared its fully independence on 1st January 1984 and celebrates the National day on 23rd February.  

'''Brunei''' is a tiny nation on the north coast of the island of [[Borneo]], and is a former [[Malaysia]]n sultanate.  It has been a sovereign state since 1965 following its withdrawal from the Federal Malay States after being granted independence by the British colonial power. Although only a small country it has immense oil wealth and the current Sultan is regarded as one of the richest men in the world. It declared its fully independence on 1 January 1984 and celebrates the National day on 23 February.  

==People==

==People==

The requirements to attain Brunei citizenship include passing tests in Malay culture, customs, and language. Stateless permanent residents of Brunei are given International Certificates of Identity, which allow them to travel overseas. The majority of Brunei's Chinese are permanent residents, and many are stateless. An amendment to the National Registration and Immigration Act of 2002 allowed female Bruneian citizens for the first time to transfer their nationality to their children.  

The requirements to attain Brunei citizenship include passing tests in Malay culture, customs, and language. Stateless permanent residents of Brunei are given International Certificates of Identity, which allow them to travel overseas. The majority of Brunei's Chinese are permanent residents, and many are stateless. An amendment to the National Registration and Immigration Act of 2002 allowed female Bruneian citizens for the first time to transfer their nationality to their children.  

[[File:Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque Brunei.jpg|thumb|220px|Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque.]]

[[File:Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque Brunei.jpg|thumb|220px|Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque.]]

Oil wealth allows the Brunei Government to provide the population with one of Asia's finest health care systems. Malaria has been eradicated, and cholera is virtually nonexistent. There are five general hospitals--in Bandar Seri Begawan, Tutong, Kuala Belait, Bangar, and Seria--and there are numerous health clinics throughout the country.  

Oil wealth allows the Brunei Government to provide the population with one of Asia's finest health care systems. Malaria has been eradicated, and cholera is virtually nonexistent. There are five general hospitals—in Bandar Seri Begawan, Tutong, Kuala Belait, Bangar, and Seria—and there are numerous health clinics throughout the country.  

Education starts with preschool, followed by 6 years of primary education and up to 7 years of secondary education. Nine years of education are mandatory. Most of Brunei's college students attend universities and other institutions abroad, but approximately 3,674 (2005) study at the University of Brunei Darussalam. Opened in 1985, the university has a faculty of more than 300 instructors and is located on a sprawling campus overlooking the South China Sea.  

Education starts with preschool, followed by 6 years of primary education and up to 7 years of secondary education. Nine years of education are mandatory. Most of Brunei's college students attend universities and other institutions abroad, but approximately 3,674 (2005) study at the University of Brunei Darussalam. Opened in 1985, the university has a faculty of more than 300 instructors and is located on a sprawling campus overlooking the South China Sea.  

*Religion: Islam.

*Religion: Islam.

*Languages: Malay, English, Chinese; Iban and other indigenous dialects.

*Languages: Malay, English, Chinese; Iban and other indigenous dialects.

*Education: Years compulsory--9. Literacy (2006)--94.7%.

*Education: Years compulsory—9. Literacy (2006)--94.7%.

*Health: Life expectancy (years)--74.4 (men), 77.4 (women) yrs. Infant mortality rate (2006 est.)--12.25/1,000.

*Health: Life expectancy (years)--74.4 (men), 77.4 (women) yrs. Infant mortality rate (2006 est.)--12.25/1,000.

===Principal Government Officials===

===Principal Government Officials===

*Sultan and Yang di-Pertuan, Prime Minister, Minister of Defense, and Minister of Finance--His Majesty Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah

*Sultan and Yang di-Pertuan, Prime Minister, Minister of Defense, and Minister of Finance—His Majesty Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah

*Senior Minister--His Royal Highness Crown Prince Billah

*Senior Minister—His Royal Highness Crown Prince Billah

*Minister of Foreign Affairs--His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah

*Minister of Foreign Affairs—His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah

*Ambassador to the United Nations--Dr. Haji Emran bin Bahar  

*Ambassador to the United Nations—Dr. Haji Emran bin Bahar  

===Foreign relations===

===Foreign relations===

Brunei joined ASEAN on January 7, 1984--one week after resuming full independence--and gives its ASEAN membership the highest priority in its foreign relations. Brunei joined the UN in September 1984. It also is a member of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) and of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum. Brunei hosted the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in November 2000 and the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) in July 2002.

Brunei joined ASEAN on January 7, 1984—one week after resuming full independence—and gives its ASEAN membership the highest priority in its foreign relations. Brunei joined the UN in September 1984. It also is a member of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) and of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum. Brunei hosted the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in November 2000 and the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) in July 2002.

==Defense==

==Defense==

Brunei is the fourth-largest oil producer in Southeast Asia, averaging about 219,000 barrels a day in 2006. It also is the ninth-largest exporter of liquefied natural gas in the world. Like many oil producing countries, Brunei’s economy has followed the swings of the world oil market. Economic growth has averaged around 2.8% in the 2000s, heavily dependent on oil and gas production. Oil production has averaged around 200,000 barrels a day during the 2000s, while liquefied natural gas output has been slightly under or over 1,000 trillion btu/day over the same period. Brunei is estimated to have oil reserves expected to last 25 years, and enough natural gas reserves to last 40 years.

Brunei is the fourth-largest oil producer in Southeast Asia, averaging about 219,000 barrels a day in 2006. It also is the ninth-largest exporter of liquefied natural gas in the world. Like many oil producing countries, Brunei’s economy has followed the swings of the world oil market. Economic growth has averaged around 2.8% in the 2000s, heavily dependent on oil and gas production. Oil production has averaged around 200,000 barrels a day during the 2000s, while liquefied natural gas output has been slightly under or over 1,000 trillion btu/day over the same period. Brunei is estimated to have oil reserves expected to last 25 years, and enough natural gas reserves to last 40 years.

Brunei Shell Petroleum (BSP), a joint venture owned in equal shares by the Brunei Government and the Royal Dutch/Shell group of companies, is the chief oil and gas production company in Brunei. It also operates the country's only refinery. BSP and four sister companies--including the liquefied natural gas producing firm BLNG--constitute the largest employer in Brunei after the government. BSP's small refinery has a distillation capacity of 10,000 barrels per day. This satisfies domestic demand for most petroleum products.  

Brunei Shell Petroleum (BSP), a joint venture owned in equal shares by the Brunei Government and the Royal Dutch/Shell group of companies, is the chief oil and gas production company in Brunei. It also operates the country's only refinery. BSP and four sister companies—including the liquefied natural gas producing firm BLNG—constitute the largest employer in Brunei after the government. BSP's small refinery has a distillation capacity of 10,000 barrels per day. This satisfies domestic demand for most petroleum products.  

[[File:Brunei Accommodation in Bandar Seri Begawan.jpg|thumb|left|Accommodation in Bandar Seri Begawan.]]

[[File:Brunei Accommodation in Bandar Seri Begawan.jpg|thumb|left|Accommodation in Bandar Seri Begawan.]]

The French oil company Total (then known as ELF Aquitaine) became active in petroleum exploration in Brunei in the 1980s. The joint venture Total E&P Borneo BV currently produces approximately 35,000 barrels per day and 13% of Brunei’s natural gas.  

The French oil company Total (then known as ELF Aquitaine) became active in petroleum exploration in Brunei in the 1980s. The joint venture Total E&P Borneo BV currently produces approximately 35,000 barrels per day and 13% of Brunei’s natural gas.  

In 2003, Malaysia disputed Brunei-awarded oil exploration concessions for offshore blocks J and K (Total and Shell respectively), which led to the Brunei licensees ceasing exploration activities. Negotiations between the two countries are continuing in order to resolve the conflict. Two on-shore blocks are being explored following awards to two consoria--one Canadian-led and the other an Australian-led operating consortium. Australia, Indonesia, and Korea were the largest customers for Brunei's oil exports, taking over 67% of Brunei's total crude exports. Traditional customers Japan, the U.S., and China each took around 5% of total crude exports.  

In 2003, Malaysia disputed Brunei-awarded oil exploration concessions for offshore blocks J and K (Total and Shell respectively), which led to the Brunei licensees ceasing exploration activities. Negotiations between the two countries are continuing in order to resolve the conflict. Two on-shore blocks are being explored following awards to two consoria—one Canadian-led and the other an Australian-led operating consortium. Australia, Indonesia, and Korea were the largest customers for Brunei's oil exports, taking over 67% of Brunei's total crude exports. Traditional customers Japan, the U.S., and China each took around 5% of total crude exports.  

Almost all of Brunei's natural gas is liquefied at Brunei Shell's Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) plant, which opened in 1972 and is one of the largest LNG plants in the world. Some 90% of Brunei's LNG produced is sold to Japan under a long-term agreement renewed in 1993. The agreement calls for Brunei to provide over 5 million tons of LNG per year to three Japanese utilities, namely to TEPCo, Tokyo Electric Power Co. (J.TER or 5001), Tokyo Gas Co. (J.TYG or 9531) and Osaka Gas Co. (J.OSG or 9532). The Japanese company, Mitsubishi, is a joint venture partner with Shell and the Brunei Government in Brunei LNG, Brunei Coldgas, and Brunei Shell Tankers, which together produce the LNG and supply it to Japan. Since 1995, Brunei has supplied more than 700,000 tons of LNG to the Korea Gas Corporation (KOGAS) as well. In 2006, total natural gas production reached 1.2 billion cubic feet per day. A small amount of natural gas is used for domestic power generation. Since 2001, Japan remains the dominant export market for natural gas. Brunei is the fourth-largest exporter of LNG in the Asia-Pacific region behind Indonesia, Malaysia, and Australia.  

Almost all of Brunei's natural gas is liquefied at Brunei Shell's Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) plant, which opened in 1972 and is one of the largest LNG plants in the world. Some 90% of Brunei's LNG produced is sold to Japan under a long-term agreement renewed in 1993. The agreement calls for Brunei to provide over 5 million tons of LNG per year to three Japanese utilities, namely to TEPCo, Tokyo Electric Power Co. (J.TER or 5001), Tokyo Gas Co. (J.TYG or 9531) and Osaka Gas Co. (J.OSG or 9532). The Japanese company, Mitsubishi, is a joint venture partner with Shell and the Brunei Government in Brunei LNG, Brunei Coldgas, and Brunei Shell Tankers, which together produce the LNG and supply it to Japan. Since 1995, Brunei has supplied more than 700,000 tons of LNG to the Korea Gas Corporation (KOGAS) as well. In 2006, total natural gas production reached 1.2 billion cubic feet per day. A small amount of natural gas is used for domestic power generation. Since 2001, Japan remains the dominant export market for natural gas. Brunei is the fourth-largest exporter of LNG in the Asia-Pacific region behind Indonesia, Malaysia, and Australia.  

*Growth rate (2006 est.): 3.7%.

*Growth rate (2006 est.): 3.7%.

*Natural resources: Oil and natural gas.

*Natural resources: Oil and natural gas.

*Trade: Exports--oil, liquefied natural gas, petroleum products, garments. Major markets--Japan, Korea, ASEAN, U.S. Imports--machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods. Major suppliers--ASEAN, Japan, U.S., EU.

*Trade: Exports—oil, liquefied natural gas, petroleum products, garments. Major markets—Japan, Korea, ASEAN, U.S. Imports—machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods. Major suppliers—ASEAN, Japan, U.S., EU.

==History==  

==History==  

Historians believe there was a forerunner to the present Brunei Sultanate, which the Chinese called Po-ni. Chinese and Arabic records indicate that this ancient trading kingdom existed at the mouth of the Brunei River as early as the seventh or eighth century A.D. This early kingdom was apparently conquered by the Sumatran Hindu Empire of Srivijaya in the early ninth century, which later controlled northern Borneo and the Philippines. It was subjugated briefly by the Java-based Majapahit Empire but soon regained its independence and once again rose to prominence.  

Historians believe there was a forerunner to the present Brunei Sultanate, which the Chinese called Po-ni. Chinese and Arabic records indicate that this ancient trading kingdom existed at the mouth of the Brunei River as early as the seventh or eighth century A.D. This early kingdom was apparently conquered by the Sumatran Hindu Empire of Srivijaya in the early ninth century, which later controlled northern Borneo and the Philippines. It was subjugated briefly by the Java-based Majapahit Empire but soon regained its independence and once again rose to prominence.  

The Brunei Empire had its golden age from the 15th to the 17th centuries, when its control extended over the entire island of Borneo and north into the Philippines. Brunei was particularly powerful under the fifth sultan, Bolkiah (1473-1521), who was famed for his sea exploits and even briefly captured Manila; and under the ninth sultan, Hassan (1605-19), who fully developed an elaborate Royal Court structure, elements of which remain today.  

The Brunei Empire had its golden age from the 15th to the 17th centuries, when its control extended over the entire island of Borneo and north into the Philippines. Brunei was particularly powerful under the fifth sultan, Bolkiah (1473-1521), who was famed for his sea exploits and even briefly captured Manila; and under the ninth sultan, Hassan (1605–19), who fully developed an elaborate Royal Court structure, elements of which remain today.  

The country was occupied briefly by the Spanish during the late-16th century. Part of the Spanish colonial mission was always the vigorous dissemination of Catholicism – in the previous century, Islam had been adopted in Brunei as the principal religion.

The country was occupied briefly by the Spanish during the late-16th century. Part of the Spanish colonial mission was always the vigorous dissemination of Catholicism – in the previous century, Islam had been adopted in Brunei as the principal religion.

{{Asian Countries}}

{{Asian Countries}}

[[Category:Muslim-Majority Countries]]

[[Category:Muslim-Majority Countries]]

[[category:Asia]]

[[Category:Asia]]

[[Category:Southeast Asia]]

[[Category:Southeast Asia]]