1987 Edition

Boundary disputes

none; possible territorial claim in complex dispute over Spratly Islands involving China, Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam

Climate

tropical; hot, humid, rainy

Coastline

161 km

Comparative area

slightly larger than Delaware

Environment

typhoons, earthquakes, and severe flooding are rare

Exclusive fishing zone

200 nm

Land boundary

381 km with Malaysia

Land use

1% arable land; 1% permanent crops; 1% meadows and pastures; 79% forest and woodland; 18% other; includes NEGL®% irrigated

Member of

ASEAN, ESCAP (associate member), IMO, INTERPOL, O1C, UN

Special notes

close to vital sea lanes through South China Sea linking Indian and Pacific Oceans; two parts physically separated by Malaysia; almost an enclave of Malaysia

Terrain

flat coastal plain rises to mountains in east; hilly lowland in west

Territorial sea

12 nm

Total area

25. km_ South China Sea Kuala Belait

5,770 km?; land area: 5,270 km?

Ethnic divisions

64% Malay, 20% Chinese, 16% other

Labor force

68,128 (includes members of the Army); 50.4% production of oil, natural gas, and construction; 47.6% trade, services, and other; 2.0% agriculture, forestry, and fishing (1984)

Language

Malay (official), English, and Chinese

Life expectancy

73.7

Literacy

45%

Nationality

noun—Bruneian(s); adjective—Bruneian

Organized labor

2% of labor force

Population

249,961 (July 1987), average annual growth rate 3.67%

Religion

60% Muslim (official); 8% Christian; 32% Buddhist and indigenous beliefs

Administrative divisions

four administrative districts

Branches

chief of state is Sultan (advised by appointed Privy Council), who appoints Executive Council and Legislative Council

Capital

Bandar Seri Begawan

Communists

probably none

Elections

last elections—March 1965; further elections postponed indefinitely Political parties and leaders: Brunei National Democratic Party (established on 18 September 1985, the first legal political party), Abdul Latif bin Abdul Hamid, Chairman; Brunei National United Party (established on 4 February 1986), Anak Hasanuddin, chairman

Government leader

Sir HASSANAL Bolkiah, Sultan and Prime Minister (since August 1968)

Legal system

based on Islamic law; constitution promulgated by the Sultan in

National holiday

National Day, 23 February

Official name

State of Brunei Darussalam

Suffrage

universal at 21; three-tiered system of indirect elections; popular vote cast for lowest level (district councilors)

Type

constitutional sultanate; became a sovereign state and fully independent from United Kingdom on 1 January 1984

Agriculture

rice, pepper; imports most food

Budget

revenues, $2,109 million; expenditures, $1,219 million; surplus $890 million (1985)

Electric power

163,000 kW capacity; 470 million kWh produced, 2,000 kWh per capita (1986)

Exports

$3.1 billion (1985); 98-99% crude oil, liquefied natural gas, and petroleum products

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP

$3.422 billion, $14,750 per capita (1985)

Imports

$640 million (1985); includes machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food, beverages, tobacco, and other; most consumer goods imported

Major industry

crude petroleum, liquefied natural gas, construction

Major trade partners

exports—{erude petroleum and liquefied natural gas) roughly two-thirds to Japan; imports— Singapore 24%, Japan 20%, US 16% (1985)

Monetary conversion rate

2.16 Brunei dollars=US$1 (March 1986) inflation under 2.0% (1985/86)

Natural resources

oil, natura! gas

Airfields

3 total, 2 usable; 2 with permanent-surface runways; 1 with runways over 3,659 m; 1 with runways 1,220-2,439 m

Civil air

8 major transport aircraft

Highways

1,090 km total; 370 km paved (bituminous treated) and another 52 km under construction, 720 km gravel or unimproved

Inland waterways

209 km; navigable by craft drawing less than 1.2 meters

Pipelines

crude oil, 135 km; refined products, 418 km; natural gas, 920 km

Ports

1 major (Muara), 4 minor

Railroads

13 km 0.610-meter narrowgauge private line

Telecommunications

service throughout country is adequate for present needs; international service good to adjacent Sabah and Sarawak; radiobroadcast coverage good; 27,000 telephones (11.0 per 100 popl.); Radio Brunei broadcasts from 4 AM/FM stations and 1 TV station; 52,000 radio receivers; 1 satellite station

Branches

Royal Brunei Armed Forces, including air wing, navy, and ground forces; British Gurkha Battalion; Royal Brunei Police; Gurkha Reserve Unit

Military budget

for fiscal year ending 31 December 1986, $197.6 million; about 17% of central government budget

Military manpower

males 15-49, 61,000; 37,000 fit for military service; about 3,300 reach military age (18) annually