Southeast Asia · AsiaBrunei
Discover Brunei - a small, oil-rich sultanate on Borneo where golden-domed mosques rise above ancient rainforest, the sultan lives in the world's largest palace, and there is no income tax.
Where Is Brunei?
Brunei is a country in Southeast Asia. Its capital is Bandar Seri Begawan.
- Capital Bandar Seri Begawan
- Population 466K
- Area 5,765 km²
Brunei is one of those countries that most people struggle to place on a map. Tucked into the northern coast of Borneo, surrounded entirely by the Malaysian state of Sarawak, this tiny sultanate is barely the size of Delaware. But what Brunei lacks in size, it makes up for in wealth. Massive oil and natural gas reserves have made it one of the richest nations per capita in the world. There is no income tax, education is free, healthcare is free, and the government subsidizes everything from housing to rice.
The Sultan of Brunei lives in the Istana Nurul Iman, the largest residential palace on Earth with 1,788 rooms, and he has ruled since 1967 - making him one of the longest-reigning monarchs alive. But Brunei is not all gold domes and supercars. Over 70% of the country is covered in pristine tropical rainforest, home to proboscis monkeys, pygmy elephants, and some of the oldest trees in Southeast Asia. The capital's water village, Kampong Ayer, is a 1,300-year-old settlement of 30,000 people living in stilt houses over the Brunei River, a floating city within the city. It is a place of quiet contradictions - immense wealth alongside deep tradition, global luxury beside untouched jungle.
At a glance
Largest cities in Brunei
Bandar Seri Begawan
Tutong
Seria
Famous people from Brunei
Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah
Politics29th Sultan of Brunei, one of the world's longest-reigning and wealthiest monarchs, ruling since 1967
Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III
PoliticsFather of modern Brunei who negotiated independence from Britain and built the nation's iconic mosque that bears his name
Pengiran Muda Abdul Mateen
SportRoyal prince and national polo player who represented Brunei at the Southeast Asian Games
Traditional cuisine of Brunei
- Ambuyat
- Brunei's national dish - a starchy, glue-like substance made from sago palm, eaten by twirling on bamboo chopsticks and dipping in sauces
- Nasi Katok
- The ultimate Bruneian street food - a packet of rice, fried chicken, and sambal for about 50 cents, eaten at all hours
- Rendang
- Slow-cooked dry curry of beef or chicken simmered in coconut milk and spices until richly caramelized
- Kelupis
- Glutinous rice wrapped in nyirik leaves and steamed, a traditional accompaniment to many Bruneian dishes
Nature and landmarks in Brunei
- Ulu Temburong National ParkNational Park
- Pristine primary rainforest accessible only by longboat, with a canopy walkway 60 meters above the forest floor
- Kampong AyerLandmark
- The world's largest water village with 30,000 residents living in stilt houses over the Brunei River for over 1,300 years
- Tasek MerimbunLake
- Brunei's largest natural lake, a blackwater lake surrounded by swamp forest and designated an ASEAN Heritage Park
- Brunei BayCoast
- Large bay on the northeast coast home to Irrawaddy dolphins, mangroves, and some of Borneo's best birdwatching
Sports in Brunei
- Football
- Most popular spectator sport in the country, with the Sultan personally supporting the development of the national league
- Polo
- The royal family has made Brunei a polo hub in Southeast Asia, with the Sultan himself a longtime player
Did you know?
The Istana Nurul Iman is the world's largest residential palace with 1,788 rooms, 257 bathrooms, and a banquet hall for 5,000 guests
Brunei has no income tax, and the government provides free education, healthcare, and subsidized housing to its citizens
Kampong Ayer, the world's largest water village, has been continuously inhabited for over 1,300 years on stilts above the river
The Sultan of Brunei has reigned since 1967, making him one of the longest-serving monarchs in the world
Brunei is split into two separate pieces by a wedge of Malaysian territory, making it one of the few divided countries on Earth
Can you find Brunei on a map?
Drop a pin where you think it is and see how close you got. A few rounds and you will place Brunei and its neighbours without a second thought.
