Brunei:
Geography

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Other pages in this profile of Brunei:
People, Government, Economy, Communications & Transportation, Military & Transnational Issues.


Background	Definition The Sultanate of Brunei's influence peaked between the 15th and 17th centuries when its control extended over coastal areas of northwest Borneo and the southern Philippines. Brunei subsequently entered a period of decline brought on by internal strife over royal succession, colonial expansion of European powers, and piracy. In 1888, Brunei became a British protectorate; independence was achieved in 1984. The same family has ruled Brunei for over six centuries. Brunei benefits from extensive petroleum and natural gas fields, the source of one of the highest per capita GDPs in Asia.

Location	Definition Southeastern Asia, bordering the South China Sea and Malaysia
Geographic coordinates	Definition 4 30 N, 114 40 E
Map references	Definition Southeast Asia
Area	Definition - World rank and map total: 5,770 sq km land: 5,270 sq km water: 500 sq km
Area - comparative	Definition slightly smaller than Delaware
Land boundaries	Definition total: 381 km border countries: Malaysia 381 km
Coastline	Definition 161 km
Maritime claims	Definition territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm or to median line
Climate	Definition tropical; hot, humid, rainy
Terrain	Definition flat coastal plain rises to mountains in east; hilly lowland in west
Elevation extremes	Definition lowest point: South China Sea 0 m highest point: Bukit Pagon 1,850 m
Natural resources	Definition petroleum, natural gas, timber
Land use	Definition - World rank and map arable land: 2.08% permanent crops: 0.87% other: 97.05% (2005)
Irrigated land	Definition 10 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources	Definition 8.5 cu km (1999)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)	Definition total: 0.09 per capita: 243 cu m/yr (1994)
Natural hazards	Definition typhoons, earthquakes, and severe flooding are rare
Environment - current issues	Definition seasonal smoke/haze resulting from forest fires in Indonesia
Environment - international agreements	Definition party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note	Definition close to vital sea lanes through South China Sea linking Indian and Pacific Oceans; two parts physically separated by Malaysia; almost an enclave within Malaysia