Location
Brunei Darussalam is situated on the north-west of the island of Borneo, between east
longitudes 114 degrees 04' and 11 degrees 23' and north latitudes of 4 degrees 00' and 5
degrees 05'. It has a total area of 5,765-sq. km. with a coastline of about 161-km along
the South China Sea. It is bounded on the North by the South China Sea and on all the
other sides by Malaysian State of Sarawak.
Physical Features
The land surface is developed on bedrock of tertiary age comprising of sandstone,
shale and clays. The terrain in the western part of Brunei Darussalam is predominantly
hilly lowland below 91 metres, but rising in the hinterland to about 300 metres. The
eastern part of the state consists predominantly of rugged mountain terrain, rising 1,850
metres above sea level at Bukit Pagon. The coast has a wide, tidal and swampy plain.
Climate
Brunei Darussalam has an equatorial climate characterized by a uniform high
temperature, high humidity and heavy rainfall. Temperatures range from 23 - 32 Degree
Celsius, while rainfall varies from 2,500 mm annually on the coast to 7,500 mm in the
interior. There is no distinct wet season.
Capital and Town
Brunei Darussalam is divided into four districts namely Brunei/Muara, Tutong, Belait
and Temburong. Bandar Seri Begawan is the capital of Brunei Darussalam
with an area of about 16 sq. km. The famed Water Village of Brunei
(Kampong Ayer) is also located here.
Other towns are Muara, about 41 km to the north east of Bandar Seri Begawan where the
chief port is located, Seria which is the seat of oil and gas industry, and Kuala Belait,
Pekan Tutong and Bangar which are the administrative centres of Belait, Tutong and
Temburong Districts respectively.
Population
The population of Brunei
Darussalam in 2004, is estimated at 357,800 persons, the said total,
186,200 are males and 171,600 females.
This estimate includes
all people residing in Brunei Darussalam. Malay,
which also included Brunei Indigenous communities of Malay, Kedayan,
Tutong, Belait, Bisaya, Dusun and Murut, constitutes the major
population group numbering at 237,100. Other Indigenous froup is 12,300,
Chinese at 40,200 persons and other races not specified at 68,200.
The population
distribution by district shows that Brunei/Muara District still has the
largest share with a total 247,200 persons while Belait and Tutong
Districts have 59,600 persons and 41,600 persons respectively. Temburong
District has the smallest population of 9,400 persons (2.8%).
The population by age grouping shows that about 148,300 (41.4%) persons
are below 19 years, 201,500 persons (56.3%) at the working age group of
between 19 and 64 years while 8,000 persons (2.2%) are over 65 years of
age.
Malay, Kedayan, Tutong, Belait, Bisaya, Dusun, Murut 66.3%.
Chinese 11.2%
Other races 11.8%
Iban, Dayak, Kelabit
6%
Demographic
Indicators (2004 estimate)
Crude Birth Rate per
1,000 : 20.2
Crude Death Rate per 1,000 : 2.9
Natural Increase Rate per 1,000 : 17.3
Infant Morality Rate per 1,000 live birth : 9.5
Total Marriage 2,262
Muslim 1,900
Civil 167
Customary and others 195
Muslim Divorces 324
Life Expectancy At Birth (Years) : Males 74.4, Females 77.4
Total Fertility Rate :
2.1%
Labour 2004
Total Labour Force 160,500
Males 95,000
Females 65,500
Employed 152,800
Males 91,000
Females 61,800
