State of Brunei Darussalam: description, attractions, population

Brunei is a state in South-East Asia. It is small, but very rich. What is interesting about Brunei Darussalam? What does the population of the country live, and what can a traveler find here? About this and talk.

The State of Brunei Darussalam: where is the country

Brunei is located in the northwest of the island of Borneo or Kalimantan, as it is called Indonesians. The only country with which divides the border of Brunei is Malaysia. Part of the Malaysian state separates the two regions of the country by about thirty kilometers from each other. The South China Sea is washed by the northern shores of Brunei Darussalam. The territory of the state is only 5 765 square meters. Km.

In Brunei there is an absolute monarchy. The Sultan as head of state is concurrently the prime minister, and the chief commander, the minister of finance and the leader of the religious community, in general "one for all". The sultan appoints people to all important posts in the country personally, although most of the high-ranking people are his relatives. It is interesting that there are no opposition parties in this country, although they are allowed by law.

The country is divided into four districts - the dacers - Tutong, Belait, Temburong and the capital district of Brunei Muara, which are divided into small areas called flour. Officially in Brunei there are no settlements, the districts are divided into villages or camping sites, although several cities are actually allocated (Kuala Belait, Serie, Bandar Seri Begawan).

Population

How many people live here and who is the country of Brunei Darussalam?

The population of the country is about 418 thousand. By the number of inhabitants, the country occupies the 175th place in the world. Just like in neighboring countries, the Malay population prevails.

In addition to the Malays, the Chinese, ibanes and kadazans live here, there are also Europeans, but there are very few of them. To obtain citizenship, you need to pass a test of knowledge of the culture and language of the state of Brunei Darussalam. The language is Malayan, but English is also quite popular, especially in business. In everyday life also use the dialects of Chinese and the language of the ibani.

The official religion is Islam. The Sultan himself makes a pilgrimage to Mecca and encourages the citizens of the country, by means of funds that are allocated for the annual pilgrimage of believers. Other beliefs are not forbidden.

To be born a brunei - to catch luck. The main source of profit in the state of Brunei Darussalam is oil. Citizens of the country do not pay income tax and are entitled to interest-free loans to purchase everything that the soul desires. And she can wish much, because the average annual income of residents is about twenty thousand dollars. Brunei is also pampered with a free healthcare system and a free education.

Life of Brunei

The local population of the country in a way of life and language differs from the Malays who live in Indonesia and Malaysia. Many residents of Brunei prefer to wear traditional clothing or its elements. Its name is usually called full, along with all titles and titles.

The state of Brunei Darussalam is deeply religious, that is why the ideology of "Melaya Islam Beraj" is taught in schools, which tells about Islam, values of monarchy and Malay culture. Based on the same reasons, the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages has been banned since 1991.

The most privileged work in Brunei is state. Such work is excellently paid, and most importantly on time. The employee is entitled to several breaks during the day. The work day ends early, around five, and as a rule, no one remains to work a little longer. All business should be done only in the allotted time for this.

By tradition, Muslim countries in Brunei polygamy. At the same time, the equality between all wives is fixed on a legal level. This means that having made a gift to one wife, you must certainly give an equal in value gift and the second. Divorces in the country are not forbidden, therefore, if the wives do not accept gifts, no one holds them.

Brunei women have freedom in a sense, in comparison with other Muslim countries. They are allowed to wear both traditional clothes and European clothes, but they still cover the head with a handkerchief. They are also not prohibited from working and occupying various positions.

Bandar Seri Begawan

The most important and large city of the state of Brunei Darussalam is Bandar Seri Begawan. The city is located on the Brunei River, more precisely on its northern shore. Its name is translated from the Malaysian as "the city of his Grace".

The capital of Brunei Darussalam is small and consists of only a few micro-districts. You can walk the whole city in less than half an hour. City transport in the main city, however, as in all Brunei, is absent. All residents move on their own cars. But on the river go boats, performing the function of a taxi. The local call them penambang. Boats transport people from the city center, to other areas, and sometimes to other cities, for example, Limbang and Bangar.

Walking around Bandar Seri Begawanu you can decide that it was originally built for people with cars. There are few sidewalks here, the districts connect the highways with each other. If you look, you can find narrow pavements inside the districts. Riding on motorcycles in Brunei is not common, unlike Indonesia, local people prefer to drive in comfort.

In general, the city looks neat, the streets are very clean, because for the garbage thrown on the road one has to pay a thousand Brunei dollars. In the evening, after the end of the day, a lot of people walk on the streets for an hour or two, mainly shopping. Then everything ceases and the streets are empty, it's hard to find even people quietly strolling and enjoying themselves in the evening - everyone goes home.

The architecture of the capital is not complicated and without special research, however, mosques are really worthy of attention. The city has parks, museums, cafes - everything you need for a good holiday.

Brunei Darussalam: attractions, photos

The main attractions are concentrated in the capital. The Jalai-Residence Museum, in which you can see a collection of weapons, copies of the Koran from different countries (Egypt, Iran, India). In the Art Gallery of the museum you can join the art of Islam. Here, visitors are told about the features and history of the development of the oil refining industry in the region. Not far from the mausoleum is the mausoleum of the ruler of the "golden years" of Brunei - Sultan Bolkiah XV.

The Royal Regalia Museum houses a collection of Sultan family items that are used in ceremonies. In the Center of History you can get acquainted with the history of the Sultan's rule and its genealogical tree.

The Malay Technology Museum is interesting in that it acquaints visitors with the peculiarities of the architecture of the indigenous population. Here are presented the village constructions of the peoples Murut, Kedayan, Dayak. Also in the museum there is an exhibition of modern technologies.

Parks of Brunei

The rainforests cover most of the country of Brunei Darussalam (see photo below). By the order of the Sultan, the forests are under state protection, most of them are reserved to national parks and national parks.

Park Ulu-Teburung is located in the eastern part of the country Teburunga. It covers an area of about 50 hectares and has a unique and diverse vegetation, thanks to a densely dissected relief and considerable distance. Here there are villages of indigenous people, such as iban, murut, malay. In the park you can go through the ecological path of Bukit Patoi.

Not far from the park there are several nature reserves, which are easily accessible from the capital. Approximately seventy kilometers from the main city there is the Anduki-Yubili recreation park with relict forests and a fabulously beautiful lagoon.

Another place with picturesque nature, which Brunei Darussalam can boast of is the Peradayan Wildlife Sanctuary, with an area of about a thousand hectares. It is located on the twin hills, rising to a height of 400 meters. On the territory of the reserve there are many rare animals, including endemic ones. For example, a representative of the genus deer, which in size more resembles a large rodent than a deer.

Near Bandar Seri Begawan there are several places with pretty beautiful views. Just 10 kilometers from the city is located Usai-Kandal. It is a region with incredibly beautiful forests, waterfalls and Lake Taysek-Laboi. Among the waterfalls, the waterfall of Air-Terjun-Rendah is prominently displayed.

Sultan's Palace

The state of Brunei Darussalam is administered directly from the Sultan's palace - the official residence of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah. It is called Istan Nurul Iman and is translated as "palace of light".

The palace is located near the capital city. It was erected by a Philippine architect in 1984, and the construction completion date was timed to the day of independence of Brunei. The interior was occupied by the famous designer Khuan Chu, who also worked on the Burj-El-Arab hotel in Dubai.

In the palace there are government offices, a throne room, for ceremonies and holidays, the Sultan's apartments - more than 1500 rooms. The garage is underground and can accommodate hundreds of cars.

The Sultan's Palace is full of luxury and wealth. The interior is decorated with 40 kinds of marble and gold, which is present on the doors, window frames and small details. Sultan is a fan of painting, so here is a fairly large collection of originals of famous paintings.

There is one day in the year when any person can come to the sultan's palace. This can even make a tourist. Sultan on this day will present a gift and shake hands. This is truly royal generosity!

Mosque of Hassanal Bolkiah

Religion in this country is in the first place and affects the way of life and the views of the local population, so visiting the mosque is the main thing to do when you come to Brunei Darussalam.

Sights of Islamic architecture are always striking in their beauty. Jame'Asr Hassanil Bolkiah is one of the largest mosques in Southeast Asia. The history of its erection is significant, because it was built by the 25th year of the reign of the current sultan. This mosque with four minarets is entirely made of marble, and the dome is made of gold. At night it is highlighted and looks even more majestic than in the daytime.

Within the mosque there are five fountains. They are symbols of faith and are set to remind the Brunei people of important canons. One fountain bowl is a symbol of the steadfastness of faith, the rest reminds you that you need to make donations, pray every day, fast in Ramadan and at least once in your life make a pilgrimage to the sacred city of Mecca.

The mosque accommodates more than 10,000 people. Inside it is divided into two halls, one intended for men, the other for women. Walk in a sacred place can only be barefoot, so at the entrance to the halls it is necessary to take off your shoes and wash your feet in the washbasins next to each other. This rule applies to tourists. On the head should be a handkerchief, and legs should be covered with pants or a skirt. If the tourist comes to look at the mosque in shorts, then they will give him a long robe.

Mosque of Omar Ali Saifuddin

The mosque was built in 1958 by the father of the current sultan Hassanal Bolkiah. It was the 28th Sultan who ruled the country of Brunei Darussalam. It is located in the capital of the state, right in the middle of an artificially made lagoon and is a Brunei symbol of Islam.

The Italian architect, who worked on the mosque, combined in it the features of Islamic and Italian. Most materials for construction and decoration were brought from other countries. So, the mosque is made of Shanghai granite and Italian marble, its floor is carpeted from Saudi Arabia, and to the ceiling hung an English chandelier.

The domes are entirely made of gold. The main dome reaches 52 meters in height. The design of the main minaret repeats the style of Italian architecture and Renaissance. If you climb up the elevator that is inside the minaret, you can admire the panorama of the city.

Inside the mosque there are courtyards with fountains and gardens symbolizing paradise. In the hall for prayers there are a lot of arches and semicircular arches, as well as mosaic glass on the windows. Near the mosque, in the water, stands the Sultan's rook, which is used during the ceremonies. A long bridge crosses the lagoon and leads directly to the neighboring village of Kampur-Ayr.

Village on the water

In Asia, such villages are considered commonplace, but Kampung-Ayer is considered the largest. It is located not far from Bandar Seri Begawan, about 50 thousand people live here. In fact, Kampung-Ayer consists of 28 small water villages, which are located so close to each other that you can not even distinguish borders.

Absolutely all the buildings of the village stand on wooden stilts: schools, shops, houses, police and mosques. Instead of streets - bridges, they also connect houses with land. The palace of the Sultan in previous times also looked like a house on stilts, now it was transferred to land.

Inside the village, locals move on the bridges or on boats on the water, what is not Venice for you? Some houses are old and look pretty shabby, but there are even whole new areas. The population has already adapted to life on the water for a long time.

Electricity and Internet cables are conducted everywhere in the villages, water supply and sewerage systems are set up.

Villages on the water appeared thousands of years ago. It's amazing that having huge incomes, expensive cars and full social support, they still continue the way of life laid down by their ancestors.

Conclusion

On the island of Borneo, in Southeast Asia, there is a small sultanate state of Brunei Darussalam. The sights of this state are not numerous, but are very interesting and are unlikely to leave anyone indifferent. Untouched by virgin tropical forests, mosques with gardens and fountains, the Sultan's palace made of marble and gold is a true oriental tale.