History

The Sultanate of Brunei's influence peaked between the 15th and 17th centuries when its control extended over coastal areas of north west 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 GDP in Asia.

Geography
Location: South-East Asia
Size: 5,770 sq km
Coastal length: 161 km
Climate: Tropical; hot, humid, rainy
Landscape: Flat coastal plain rises to mountains in east; hilly lowland in the west 
Highest peak: Bukit Pagon, 1,850 m
Natural resources: Petroleum, natural gas, timber
Use of land: Arable land: 2.08% (2005); irrigated land: 10 sq km (2005)
Natural hazards: Typhoons, earthquakes, and severe flooding are rare
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

People
Population: 390,000 
Age structure: 0-14 years: 26.6%; 15-64 years: 70.1%; above 65 years: 3.3%
Population growth rate: 1.76%
Birth rate: 18.39 births per 1000 population
Death rate: 3.28 deaths per 1000 population
Sex ration: At birth: 1.05 male/female; under 15 years 1.06 m/f; 15-64 years 1.00 m/f; 65 and above 0.93 m/f
Infant mortality rate: 12.27 deaths per 1,000 live births
Life expectancy: Women 78.1 years, men 73.5 years
HIV/AIDS: Less than 0.1%
Nationality: Bruneian(s)
Ethnical groups: Malay: 66.3%; Chinese: 11.1%; indigenous: 3.4%; others 19.1% 
Religions: Muslims: 67% (official); Buddhist: 13%; Christian: 10% 
Languages: Malay (official); English; Chinese
Literacy rate: 92.7% ot the total population above 15 years

Politics & Government
Official name: Negara Brunei Darussalam  
Government: Constitutional Sultanate as part of the Commonwealth of Nations
Capital: Bandar Seri Begawan (BSB); approx. 46,000 inhabitants
Administrative divisions: 4 districts: Belait, Brunei-Muara, Temburong, Tutong
Independence: 21 January 1984 from the UK 
Constitution: 29 September 1959; suspended since December 1962
Executive: Head of state: Sultan Haji Hassan-al Bolkiah (since 5 October 1967); Prime Minister: Sultan Haji Hassan-al Bolkiah (since 5 October 1967); Cabinet: Council of Cabinet Ministers appointed and presided over by the monarch; deals with executive matters; note - there is also a Religious Council (members appointed by the monarch) that advises on religious matters, a Privy Council (members appointed by the monarch) that deals with constitutional matters, and the Council of Succession (members appointed by the monarch) that determines the succession to the throne; no elections (the monarch is hereditary)
Legislative: Legislative Council with 29 members appointed by the monarch, meeting once a year in March; last elections: March 1962
Judicial: Supreme Court: chief justice and judges are sworn in by monarch for three-year terms; Judicial Committee of Privy Council in London is final court of appeal for civil cases; Sharia courts deal with Islamic laws
Political parties: National Development Party (NDP)

Economy
Brunei has a small well-to-do economy that encompasses a mixture of foreign and domestic entrepreneurship, government regulation, welfare measures, and village tradition. Crude oil and natural gas production account for just over half of GDP and more than 90% of exports. Per capita GDP is among the highest in Asia, and substantial income from overseas investment supplements income from domestic production. The government provides for all medical services and free education through the university level and subsidizes rice and housing. Brunei's leaders are concerned that steadily increased integration into the world economy will undermine internal social cohesion. Plans for the future include upgrading the labour force, reducing unemployment, strengthening the banking and tourist sectors, increasing agricultural production, and, in general, further widening the economic base beyond oil and gas.

GDP: Absolute: 20.25 bn US$ (PPP); growth: 0.4% per year; per capita: 53,100 US$ (PPP)
Composition: Agriculture 0.7%, industry 75%, services 25% (2005)
Inflation rate: 0.3%
Labour force: Approx. 190.000; agriculture 4.5%, industry 63%, services  32% (1999)
Unemployment rate: 3.7% 
Industries: Petroleum, petroleum refining, liquefied natural gas, construction  
Agricultural products: Rice, vegetables, fruits; chickens, water buffalo, cattle, goats, eggs
Exports: 8.25 bn US$; mainly crude oil, natural gas, garments mainly to Japan, Indonesia, Australia, South Korea
Imports: 2.06 bn US$; mainly machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food, chemicals mainly from UK, Singapore, Malaysia 
Currency: Brunei Dollar (B$) = 100 cents (c)

Infrastructure
Telephones: 79,200 landlines connections (2007); 340,000 mobile subscribers (2007); service throughout the country is excellent
Radio: 1 AM and 2 FM stations (2006)
Television: 4 channels; satellite network accessible; 250.000 television sets (2006)
Internet: used throughout the country; country code: .bn ; 200,000 subscribers (2007)
Transport: Roads: 3,650 km, incl. 2,820 km tarred roads; ports:  Lumut, Muara and Seria ; airports: 2, including 1 with tarred runway (2008)

Main source: CIA The World Factbook, 2008 & 2009 (Link)