The Probert Encyclopaedia of Places of the World

BRUNEI

Negara Brunei Darussalam is a country in the far east. It has a total area of 5,770 km2. The climate is tropical; hot, humid and rainy. The terrain is comprised of flat coastal plains rising to mountains in the east and hilly lowlands in the west. Natural resources are crude oil, natural gas and timber. The official religion is Muslim with 8% of the population Christian and 32% Buddhist and indigenous beliefs. The official language is Malay with English, and Chinese also spoken. Brunei was an Islamic sultanate from the 15th century until 1888 when, in response to pirates operating from Brunei, it became a British protectorate. In 1971 self-government was granted and in 1984 full independence.
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