1 GeoFroggy

Background

The Sultanate of Brunei's influence peaked between the 15th and 17th centuries when its control extended over coastal areas of northwest Borneo and the southern Philippines. Brunei subsequently entered a period of decline brought on by internal strife over royal succession, colonial expansion of European powers, and piracy. In 1888, Brunei became a British protectorate; independence was achieved in 1984. The same family has ruled Brunei for over six centuries. Brunei benefits from extensive petroleum and natural gas fields, the source of one of the highest per capita GDPs in the world. In 2017, Brunei celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Sultan Hassanal BOLKIAH’s accession to the throne.

Location

Southeastern Asia, along the northern coast of the island of Borneo, bordering the South China Sea and Malaysia

Area Comparative

Slightly smaller than Delaware

Maritime Claims

Territorial sea: 12 nm

Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm or to median line

Climate
Tropical; hot, humid, rainy

Natural Hazards

Typhoons, earthquakes, and severe flooding are rare

Environment Current Issues

No major environmental problems, but air pollution control is becoming a concern; seasonal trans-boundary haze from forest fires in Indonesia

Environment International Agreements

Party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution

Signed, but not ratified: None of the selected agreements

Geography Note

Close to vital sea lanes through South China Sea linking Indian and Pacific Oceans; two parts physically separated by Malaysia; the eastern part, the Temburong district, is an exclave and is almost an enclave within Malaysia
Year

Map Reference

  • Southeast Asia

Irrigated Land

  • 10 sq km

Area 2018

  • Total
    5,765 sq km
  • Land
    5,265 sq km
  • Water
    500 sq km

Coastline

  • 161 km;

Geographical Coordinates

  • 4 30 N, 114 40 E

Land use 2018

  • Agricultural Land
    2.5%
  • Arable Land
    0.8%
  • Forest
    71.8%
  • Other
    25.7%

Terrain

  • Flat coastal plain rises to mountains in east; hilly lowland in west

Land Boundaries

  • Total
    266 km
  • Malaysia
    266 km

Natural Resources

  • Petroleum
  • Natural gas
  • Timber
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