Brunei: World Encyclopedia for Students and Children

System of government: Monarchy (Sultanate)
Capital: Bandar Seri Begawan
Location: North-west Borneo; Brunei is bordered by the Malaysian state of Sarawak
Area: 5,765 sq km
National composition: Malays, Chinese, Dayaks and others
Official language: Malay
Currency: Brunei dollar = 100 cents
Administrative divisions: 4 districts
Climate: Wet tropical

Rain forests containing valuable hardwoods cover the interior of Brunei, which became an independent Sultanate on December 31, 1983. Plantations on the coast produce bananas, coconuts and rice. The chief resources, however, are oil and natural gas.