Brunei

Brunei - This tiny oil-rich Islamic sultanate lying on the north-western coast of Borneo is known chiefly for your astounding wealth of its Sultan, its tax-free, subsidised society, and also the truth that (statistically at least) its 280,000 individuals enjoy 1 in the greatest per capita incomes on earth. Despite the ostentatious current public buildings within the capital, most of the country remains undeveloped, unexploited and untouched by the outside world.

Environment - Brunei consists of a couple of separate areas, approximately 30 km apart. Each areas are bordered by the South China Sea towards the north, and by the Malaysian province of Sarawak on all other sides. Western Brunei is composed of hilly lowlands; the eastern part consists of a coastal plain rising to a height of 1841 metres at Bukit Pagon. Most of Brunei is jungle. Only 15% of the nation is cultivated, resulting in Brunei owning to import 80% of its food requirements.

Brunei does not have marked wet and dry seasons. Rainfall happens throughout the year, but is heaviest between September and January. Temperatures are consistently between 24 and 31 degrees celsius. Average humidity is 79%, doing it a pretty warm and sticky place.

Culture - Bruneians are predominantly Malay, and customs, beliefs and pastimes are incredibly similar to those of Peninsular Malaysia. Adat, or customary law, governs numerous with the country's ceremonies; there is even a federal government department responsible for preserving ceremony and advising on protocol, dress and heraldry.

Brunei is really a relatively strict Muslim region along with a Ministry of Religious Affairs fosters and promotes Islam. The constitution does, however, permit for other religions being practised. The official language is Malay but English is broadly spoken. Jawi, Malay written in Arabic script, is taught in schools, and most signs during the nation are written each in Jawi and Roman script.

During the height of the Brunei sultanates, brass and silver artisans produced finely formulated brass gongs, cannons and home vessels. They have been usually embossed with designs of serpents and animals or verses within the Koran. Several crafts failed to survive the decline with the sultanate, but silverwork and weaving are a couple of traditional crafts which might be preserved.

Events - Most festivals are religious celebrations or mark the anniversaries of significant events during the sultanate's history. The dates of religious festivals are according to the Islamic calendar, so the dates aren't fixed. Ramadan lasts from March to April. Chinese New Year takes place in January/February, and Brunei's National Day is 23 February.

Attractions - Peradayan Forest Reserve from the eastern Brunei province of Temburong contains excellent rainforest as well as the peaks of Bukit Patoi and Bukit Peradayan. Batang Duri is an Iban longhouse over a Temburong River. Maura, inside western component from the country, is often a well-known weekend beach retreat.

Getting There & Away - Most site visitors fly into and out of Bandar Seri Begawan. Brunei has direct air connections to 10 Asian cities and to Australia. As a result of the difference in exchange rates, it is practically 40% cheaper to fly to Brunei from Malaysia than vice versa.

It's feasible to cross the Sarawak-Brunei border by bus among Kuala Belait and Miri, and in between Bangar (in the Temburong district) and Limbang. You'll find also express boats in between Bandar Seri Begawan and Lawas and Limbang in Sarawak, as well as the duty-free island of Labuan off Sabah. You'll find boats among Labuan and Sabah.

Getting Close to - Public transport in Brunei is infrequent and unreliable. There are no schedules; buses simply leave after full, and most stop operating at 4.00 pm. Normal boats connect Bangar with Bandar Seri Begawan. Taxis are the only transport close to Temburong.