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VISITOR INFORMATION
Situated along the northwest coastline of Borneo,
Brunei Darussalam is a tranquil nation with a modest
size of 5,765 square kilometres located on the northern
side of Borneo Island. Brunei shares borders with the
Malaysian state of Sarawak which divides it into two
parts – the west enclave which holds three districts
including the Brunei-Muara District where the capital
Bandar Seri Begawan is, and the east enclave which is
the Temburong District. Brunei is governed according
to the constitution and national ideology of the Malay
Islamic Monarchy (MIB).
As an equatorial country, Brunei has high rainfall and
warm temperatures all year round. There is no distinct
rainy season, though the period from November to
March tends to bring heavier rainfall.
Brunei’s economic success was driven by its oil and
gas industry, which accounts for over half of its gross
domestic product (GDP) and 90 per cent of its exports.
The country is home to some of the biggest oil fields
and natural gas reserves in Southeast Asia. In order to
reduce its dependence on the oil and gas industry, the
government has introduced policies and initiatives to
nurture other industries and diversify economic growth.
Diversification of the economy has gradually been
growing in fields of aquaculture, finance and tourism.
The country’s population is ethnically diverse and has
a reputation of being hospitable and accommodating
among locals and to visitors alike. Most of the population
are Malays, with the remaining made up of Chinese,
Indians and various tribal communities with diverse
backgrounds and faiths that blend harmoniously into
the Bruneian society.
The Abode of Peace is an apt name for Brunei as the
country is embraced by the hands of peace, stability
and security.