Brunei:
Geography

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


Background	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	Southeastern Asia, bordering the South China Sea and Malaysia
Geographic coordinates	4 30 N, 114 40 E
Map references	Southeast Asia
Area	total: 5,770 sq km land: 5,270 sq km water: 500 sq km
Area - comparative	slightly smaller than Delaware
Land boundaries	total: 381 km border countries: Malaysia 381 km
Coastline	161 km
Maritime claims	territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm or to median line
Climate	tropical; hot, humid, rainy
Terrain	flat coastal plain rises to mountains in east; hilly lowland in west
Elevation extremes	lowest point: South China Sea 0 m highest point: Bukit Pagon 1,850 m
Natural resources	petroleum, natural gas, timber
Land use	arable land: 2.08% permanent crops: 0.87% other: 97.05% (2005)
Irrigated land	10 sq km (2003)
Natural hazards	typhoons, earthquakes, and severe flooding are rare
Environment - current issues	seasonal smoke/haze resulting from forest fires in Indonesia
Environment - international agreements	party to: Biodiversity, 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	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