The last vestige of an empire that once encompassed Borneo and the southwest of the Philippines, the Sultanate of Brunei, is today one of the smallest countries in the world. It represents two tiny pieces of earth located on the north coast of Sarawak. This small country is blessed with one of the largest oil fields in South Asia with one of the richest leaders on our planet. Thanks to its underground wealth, Brunei has been able to spare most of its natural resources on the surface, the country thus possesses one of the most intact primary tropical forests of Borneo.

There is no doubt, this small country will surprise you, because it is a rather relaxed and even very charming corner of Borneo, having enough attractions to make an interesting stop between the two Malaysian cities of Sabah and Sarawak. First there is the capital Bandar Seri Begawan, with its magnificent mosques and picturesque districts. Then there is the tropical forest, which will be all the more appreciated during an escapade in Ulu Temburong National Park. It is possible to make an exciting boat trip between the capital of Brunei and Bangar, one of the highlights of Borneo. The Sultanate of Brunei is a sovereign State located on the northern coast of the island of Borneo, in South Asia. Outside its coastline along the South China Sea, the country is completely surrounded by the state of Sarawak in Malaysia and is divided into two parts by a strip of Malaysian land, Limbang. It is the only sovereign State fully present on the island of Borneo, the rest of the island belonging to Malaysia and Indonesia. Brunei has a population of approximately 400,000. The temperature here varies greatly, between 14°C and 33°C, with January being the warmest month. The difference between the seasons is not very obvious. Geographically, Brunei is composed of a coastal plain that rises to the mountains to the east, the highest point being Bukit Pagan (1850 meters), with some rolling plains to the west. There are no typhoons, earthquakes, floods or other natural disasters to fear, however the biggest problem remains the seasonal haze of forest fires. The official language of Brunei is Malay, but due to its British colonial past, English is widely spoken and understood in urban areas. Brunei officially uses Arabic script known as Jawi, but most signs are also written in Latin letters. The country gained its independence in 1984 and includes both one of the oldest monarchies in the world after centuries of royal heritage. The Sultan of Brunei comes from a family line that goes back more than 600 years. The present, His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, has reigned for 43 years and is one of the richest individuals in the world. Besides admiring the golden domes, high minarets and extraordinary ornaments of the capital's two main mosques, tourists spending their holidays in Brunei can visit villages on the waters by boat or on foot, discover local culture in several interesting museums, taste delicious Malaysian cuisine (the best dishes can be found at open-air markets), and discover the incredible biodiversity of the rainforest.

Art and culture in Brunei
Brunei is officially an Islamic state, with many beautiful mosques throughout the country. Culture is also influenced by demography: two thirds of the population are of Malaysian origin, and the rest are Chinese and Indians. Brunei has an extremely rich cultural heritage that the government and people have preserved and maintained tirelessly. The National Arts and Crafts Centre, for example, is a living testimony to the preservation of the arts and crafts for which Brunei was once renowned, including boat building, goldsmithing, weaving and basketry.

What to visit in Brunei
Several sandy beaches, suitable for tanning, are located not far from the main commercial ports of Brunei. During your stay in Brunei, don't forget to visit the great Jame'Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque, built in 1992 to celebrate the Silver Jubilee on the throne of the current Sultan. It has tiled floors on the outside and a spectacular opulence on the inside. The complex is particularly magical at sunset. Smart conservation practices have left Brunei's Temburong district with one of the largest areas of intact rainforest in all of Borneo.