LocationSouth-East Asia, island of Borneo.
Area5,770 sq km (2,226 sq miles).
Population381,371 (2008 estimate).
Population Density66 per sq km.
CapitalBandar Seri Begawan.
Population: 27,285 (2001).
GovernmentTraditional Islamic monarchy. Gained full independence from the UK in 1984.
LanguageMalay is the official language. English is widely used and Chinese dialects are also spoken.
ReligionMost of the Malay population are Sunni Muslims. There are also
significant Buddhist, Confucianist, Daoist and Christian minorities. Large numbers of the indigenous groups practice traditional animist forms of religion.
TimeGMT + 8.
Electricity220/240 volts AC 50Hz. Plugs are either round or square three-pin.
Head of StateSultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah since 1967.
Recent HistoryPolitical parties were allowed to operate openly for a brief period in the 1980s and again in the mid 1990s, although were ultimately suppressed. The Sultan's intention to maintain the leading role of the dynasty was reflected by an official announcement in August 1998, stating that his eldest son, Prince al-Muhtadee Billah, will succeed him as Sultan upon his death or retirement.
In 2004, the Sultan reopened parliament 20 years after it was suspended; this has been seen as a step towards giving some political power to the country's citizens.
TelephoneCountry code: 673. Public telephones are available in most post office branches and main shopping areas and there is a private internal service. There are both coin and card operated public telephones in Brunei. Telephone cards can be obtained at post offices or at the Telecom office.
Mobile TelephoneRoaming agreements exist with some international mobile phone companies. There is good coverage around main cities and business areas, particularly in the northwest.
InternetInternet cafes are available in Bandar Seri Begawan.
MediaBrunei's media are neither diverse nor free. The privately-owned press is either owned or controlled by the sultan's family, or exercises self-censorship on political and religious matters. A press law provides prison terms of up to three years for reporting "false news". The only local broadcast media are operated by the government-controlled
Radio Television Brunei. Foreign TV stations are available via a cable network. Access to the internet is said to be unrestricted.
PostAirmail letters to Europe take two to five days. Registered, recorded and express postal services (‘Speedpost’) are all available.
Post office hours: Mon-Thurs 0745-1630.
Press• The only independent English-language newspaper is the daily
Borneo Bulletin.
•
Media Permata is a Malay-language newspaper.
Radio• State-controlled
Radio Television Brunei broadcasts in Malay, English, Mandarin Chinese and Gurkhali.
Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2009-December 2010 period.
20091 Jan New Year's Day.
26-28 Jan Chinese New Year.
23 Feb* National Day.
9 Mar Maulud (Birth of the Prophet).
31 May* Anniversary of Royal Brunei Malay Regiment.
15 Jul Sultan's Birthday.
20 July Israk Mikraj (Ascension of the Prophet).
22 Aug Start of Ramadan.
7 Sep Anniversary of the Revelation of the Quran.
21 Sep Hari Raya Aidilfitri (End of Ramadan).
28 Nov Hari Raya Aidiladha (Feast of the Sacrifice).
18 Dec Hijriah (Islamic New Year).
25 Dec Christmas Day.
20101 Jan New Year's Day.
14-16 Feb Chinese New Year.
23 Feb* National Day.
26 Feb Maulud (Birth of the Prophet).
31 May* Anniversary of Royal Brunei Malay Regiment.
15 Jul Sultan's Birthday.
9 July Israk Mikraj (Ascension of the Prophet).
11 Aug Start of Ramadan.
Sep/Oct** Anniversary of the Revelation of the Quran.
11 Sep Hari Raya Aidilfitri (End of Ramadan).
17 Nov Hari Raya Aidiladha (Feast of the Sacrifice).
7 Dec Hijriah (Islamic New Year).
25 Dec Christmas Day.
* Where a holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, official rules apply allowing days in lieu.
** Date to be confirmed.
NoteMuslim festivals are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the moon and the dates given above are approximations. During the lunar month of Ramadan that precedes Hari Raya Puasa, Muslims fast during the day and feast at night and normal business patterns may be interrupted. Restaurants are closed during the day and Muslims are prohibited from smoking and drinking. Some disruption may continue into Hari Raya Puasa itself. Hari Raya Puasa and Hari Raya Haji may last anything from two to 10 days.
Contact Information:Brunei TourismJalan Menteri Besar, Bandar Seri Begawan BB3910, Brunei Darussalam
Tel: (673) 238 2822/32.
Website:
www.tourismbrunei.comHigh Commission of Brunei Darussalam in the UK20 Belgrave Square, London SW1X 8PG, UK
Tel: (020) 7581 0521 (ext 111/137 for consular section).
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0930-1300 and 1400-1630.
Also provides tourist information.
Embassy of Brunei Darussalam in the USA3520 International Court, NW, Washington, DC 20008, USA
Tel: (202) 342 0159.
Website:
www.bruneiembassy.org
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