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Travel and Explore Amazing Brunei
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The origins of Brunei date back to the seventh or eighth century A.D., when the area was a Chinese trading kingdom called Po-ni. The kingdom survived through bouts of independence and take-over before reaching its empirical peak in the 15th to 17th centuries. The ninth Sultan of Brunei, Hassan, ruled from 1605-19 and established the royal structure which exists to this day. Brunei went though a period of British control in the late 1800s and early 1900s, not becoming a fully independent state again until 1984. The current Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, became Brunei’s 29th sultan in October of 1967 and is the country’s head of state as well as the Minister of Defense and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.
The capital city of Brunei is Bandar Seri Begawan, named in honor of the 28th sultan. The country itself is primarily flat, coastal land with mountains in the east and hilly lowlands in the west. The climate is typical of an equatorial environment, very warm with high humidity and periods of heavy rainfall. Severe weather conditions such as typhoons, earthquakes, and severe floods are extremely rare.
Brunei’s economy remains incredibly stable. The country has large oil and natural gas reserves and makes most of its money from exporting those products to countries like Japan, Australia, and India. In recent years, their government has made efforts to expand Brunei’s industries in an effort to limit their reliance on crude exports. These industries include agriculture, garment-for-export, fishing, forestry, banking, and aquaculture.
The people of Brunei primarily speak Malay, English, and Chinese, but there are also numerous indigenous dialects, especially in the more sparsely populated parts of the country. The main religion is Islam. Brunei boasts one of the best health care systems in Asia, mostly due to oil profits. Common illnesses in the Southeast Asia, such as malaria and cholera, have been all but eliminated within the country. Brunei also requires all of its citizens to complete at least nine years of education. As a result, the country boasts a literacy rate over 90%.
Brunei offers several attractions for tourists. Istana Nurul Iman, the world’s largest residential palace, is located within the capital city of Bandar Seri Begawan. The city is also home to the Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien mosque and the Kampung Ayer water village. Other popular Brunei attractions include the Tasek Lama Recreational Park, the Jerudong Park Playground theme park, the Malay Technology Museum featuring ancient Bruneian tools, the Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque, and the Muara Area beaches, just to name a few.
Overall, Brunei is a stable country with strong economic, healthcare, and educational systems in place. The country has tourist facilities and services for visitors interested in its attractions, as well as embassies and consulates which can provide additional information on local travel and security. The government of Brunei also maintains a website with specific information about the country and its current policies and events. |
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Beachcomber Pete
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Periodic issues- Free advice and suggestions for making your next travel adventure more enjoyable.
