Officially: Brunei Darussalam

Facts

  • Population: 423,000
  • Major languages: Malay, English, Chinese
  • Ethnicity: 65% ethnic Malay, 10% Chinese
  • Religions: 78% Muslim, 8% Christian, 7% Buddhist
  • Life expectancy: 75 years (men), 79 years (women)

Geography

  • Area: 5,765 sq km (2,226 sq miles) – Small nation
  • Located on northern coast of the island of Borneo in Southeast Asia.
  • It is bounded to the north by the South China Sea and on all other sides by the East Malaysian state of Sarawak, which also divides the country into two disconnected segments. The western segment is the larger of the two and contains the capital city of Bandar Seri Begawan.

Notes

  • Brunei is a tiny Asian nation on the island of Borneo, in 2 distinct sections surrounded by Malaysia and the South China Sea.
  • Brunei has one of the world’s highest standards of living thanks to its bountiful oil and gas reserves.
  • It’s known for its beaches and biodiverse rainforest, much of it protected within reserves.
  • The capital, Bandar Seri Begawan, is home to the opulent Jame’Asr Hassanil Bolkiah mosque and its 29 golden domes. The capital’s massive Istana Nurul Iman palace is the residence of Brunei’s ruling sultan.
  • The sharia panel code (law) applies to Muslims, non-Muslim and foreigners, even when on Brunei registered aircraft and vessels.
    • Effect April 3, 2019, gay sex and adultery is punishable by stoning offenders to death.
      • UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres decried the changes, as has Global Affairs Canada (CBC)
    • Under this code some offences can attract physical punishment while others attract executions. Offences that attract the death penalty include blasphemy, sodomy, adultery, rape, and murder.

References

News