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BRUNEI DARUSSALAM
Capital | Bandar Seri Begawan
FLAG DESCRIPTION: yellow with two diagonal bands of white (top, almost double width) and black starting from the upper hoist side; the national emblem in red is superimposed at the center; yellow is the color of royalty and symbolizes the sultanate; the white and black bands denote Brunei's chief ministers; the emblem includes five main components: a swallow-tailed flag, the royal umbrella representing the monarchy, the wings of four feathers symbolizing justice, tranquility, prosperity, and peace, the two upraised hands signifying the government's pledge to preserve and promote the welfare of the people, and the crescent moon denoting Islam, the state religion; the state motto "Always render service with God's guidance" appears in yellow Arabic script on the crescent; a ribbon below the crescent reads "Brunei, the Abode of Peace"
Population | 395,027 (July 2010 est.)
Area | 5770 SQ KM
Official Language | Malay
Holidays | National Day, 23 February (1984); note - 1 January 1984 was the date of independence from the UK, 23 February 1984 was the date of independence from British protection
Currency | Bruneian dollars (BND)
Time Zone | UTC +8
Best Time to Visit | March to October
Connecting with the Culture | Racing through the waterways of Sungai Brunei in a sleek logboat. Getting lost in the maze of plank-walks linking the water villages of Kampung Ayer. Trekking through Brunei’s Peradayan Forest Reserve. Feasting on an abundance of satay, barbecued fish, and sweet pancakes filled with peanuts, raisins and sugar at a local food market.
Read | Time and the River by Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, penned by the sultan’s youngest brother.
Eat | roti chanai for breakfast – flaky flat bread accompanied by coconut curry dipping
Drink | fresh fruit juices
In a Word | Panas (hot)
Characteristics | Exotic waterways; a tax haven; strict drug laws; ostentatious sultans; excellent medical and education services
Surprises | Daily oil production is approximately 163,000 barrels and is predicted to run out in 2030.
