The nation of Brunei is a sovereign state located on the north coast of Borneo in Southeast Asia. A country within a country, Brunei is a small oil rich nation with a strong Islamic influence.

The country is located between the Malaysian state of Sabah and Sarawak but shares similar language and customs with Malaysia.

Brunei first gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1984 and has experienced rapid economic growth during the 1990s and 2000s. This transformed the small nation into an industrialised country which was developed from extensive petroleum and natural gas fields within its coastal borders.

The abundance in natural resources has enabled Brunei to be recognised as the 5th richest nation out of a total of 182 other countries. The country’s wealthy economy is a mixture of foreign and domestic entrepreneurship, government regulations, welfare measures and village traditions.

Devoutly religious, Brunei’s official religion is Islam with Islamic influences seen in the country’s art, culture and architecture.

Brunei features hundreds of beautifully made mosque surrounded by tropical rainforest which gives it a unique feel. These mosques are found throughout the country in various majestic architectural designs to reflect its Islamic origins.

Citizens in the country receive free education, medical services, exempted personal income tax and housing benefits with low interest housing. The country’s relatively small size fosters a greater sense of community as every citizen would personally know each other.

Find us on Facebook or Twitter.