|RNature and climate:|N Two coastal enclaves at northeastern Borneo, covered with tropical rainforests. Highest peak 913 m.a.s.l.
The climate is maritime tropical with an average temperature of 27°C the whole year and percipitation of more than 3000 mm.
|RPeople:|N The coastal area is populated by 70% Malayan and 20% Chinese people. In the interior remaining minorities of the original population, Bisaya, Murut and Kedayan, that live their traditional lives.
|REconomy:|N Oil was found in the Seria-area in 1929 and has since then formed the base of the economy. Crude oil covers 56% of the total exportvalue, natural gas 40% and oilproducts 3%. Most of the oil is extracted off shore.
75% of the area is covered by forest and forestry has been developed extensively during the last decades. Also some production of rubber, pepper, gravel and hides. Brunei have some local shipyards, textileindustry as well as manufacturing of brass and silverhandicraft.
|RHistory:|N In the 14th century Brunei was the dominating power in South East Asia and a leading Islamic seapower, under the same dynasty that still rules the nation.
Brunei then included the whole island of Borneo as well as parts of the Sulu Islands and the Philippines.
During the 17th and 18th centuries the sultan could not control the centres for piracy that grew up in the area and the greater part of Borneo fell into the hands of the sultan of Sarawak and the British crown.
In 1847 a treaty was signed between Brunei and the United Kingdom on extended trade and common action against piracy. In a new treaty 1888 Brunei accepted British protection.
In the 1960:s there were plans for Brunei to join the Malayan Federation. This led to an uprisings that was crushed with British help.
Since 1984 Brunei is an independent nation within the Commonwealth of Nations.
