Brunei - This tiny oil-rich Islamic sultanate lying on the north-western coast of Borneo is known chiefly for the astounding wealth of its Sultan, its tax-free, subsidised society, and the fact that (statistically at least) its 280,000 people enjoy one of the highest per capita incomes on earth. Despite the ostentatious modern public buildings in the capital, most of the country remains undeveloped, unexploited and untouched by the outside world.
Environment - Brunei consists of two separate areas, approximately 30 km apart. Both areas are bordered by the South China Sea to 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 country is cultivated, resulting in Brunei having to import 80% of its food requirements.
Brunei doesn't have marked wet and dry seasons. Rainfall occurs throughout the year, but is heaviest between September and January. Temperatures are consistently between 24 and 31 degrees celsius. Average humidity is 79%, making it a pretty warm and sticky place.
Culture - Bruneians are predominantly Malay, and customs, beliefs and pastimes are very similar to those of Peninsular Malaysia. Adat, or customary law, governs many of the country's ceremonies; there is even a government department responsible for preserving ceremony and advising on protocol, dress and heraldry.
Brunei is a fairly strict Muslim country and a Ministry of Religious Affairs fosters and promotes Islam. The constitution does, however, allow for other religions to be practised. The official language is Malay but English is widely spoken. Jawi, Malay written in Arabic script, is taught in schools, and most signs in the country are written both in Jawi and Roman script.
During the height of the Brunei sultanates, brass and silver artisans produced finely designed brass gongs, cannons and household vessels. They were often embossed with designs of serpents and animals or verses from the Koran. Many crafts failed to survive the decline of the sultanate, but silverwork and weaving are two traditional crafts which have been preserved.
Events - Most festivals are religious celebrations or mark the anniversaries of important events in the sultanate's history. The dates of religious festivals are based on the Islamic calendar, so the dates are not 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 in the eastern Brunei province of Temburong contains good rainforest and the peaks of Bukit Patoi and Bukit Peradayan. Batang Duri is an Iban longhouse on the Temburong River. Maura, in the western part of the country, is a popular weekend beach retreat.
Getting There & Away - Most visitors fly into and out of Bandar Seri Begawan. Brunei has direct air connections to 10 Asian cities and to Australia. Because of the difference in exchange rates, it's almost 40% cheaper to fly to Brunei from Malaysia than vice versa.
It's possible to cross the Sarawak-Brunei border by bus between Kuala Belait and Miri, and between Bangar (in the Temburong district) and Limbang. There are also express boats between Bandar Seri Begawan and Lawas and Limbang in Sarawak, and the duty-free island of Labuan off Sabah. There are boats between Labuan and Sabah.
Getting Around - Public transport in Brunei is infrequent and unreliable. There are no schedules; buses simply leave when full, and most stop operating at 4.00 pm. Regular boats connect Bangar with Bandar Seri Begawan. Taxis are the only transport around Temburong.