📖 About Bandar Seri Begawan

Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital and largest city of the Sultanate of Brunei, has an estimated population of 100,700 within city limits as of 2025, with the broader Brunei-Muara District metropolitan area home to 279,924 residents. The municipal area covers 100.36 square kilometers (38.75 square miles) and serves as the nation's political, economic, and cultural center. Home to Brunei's sole international airport and vital port facilities, the city has been inhabited since the eighth century and serves as the heart of this wealthy Southeast Asian sultanate.

Brunei's economy is overwhelmingly dominated by the petroleum industry, with crude oil and natural gas production accounting for approximately 65% of GDP and 95% of exports. The oil and gas sector contributes 88% of Brunei's fiscal revenues, making the country almost totally dependent on petroleum and natural gas exploitation. Despite this heavy reliance, the economy delivered its best performance since 1999 with 4.2% growth in 2024. Per capita GDP is among the highest in the world, and Bruneian citizens pay no personal income taxes while enjoying free medical services and free education through university level—benefits funded by oil wealth.

The city was formerly known as Brunei Town until it was renamed in 1970 in honor of Omar Ali Saifuddien III, the 28th Sultan of Brunei and father of current Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah. The capital served as the center of power for the Bruneian Empire, which reached its peak in the 15th and 16th centuries as a vital trading hub in Southeast Asia, engaging in commerce with China, the Malay Peninsula, and other regions. Today, Bandar Seri Begawan combines traditional Islamic architecture with modern infrastructure, creating a unique Southeast Asian capital that reflects both ancient sultanate heritage and contemporary oil-driven prosperity.

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💼 Economy & Culture

Bandar Seri Begawan serves as the administrative and economic center of Brunei, a nation whose economy is dominated by petroleum extraction. The oil and gas sector generates more than half of GDP while employing only a small portion of the labor force, creating exceptional wealth concentration. The government has strived since the late 20th century to diversify the economy by developing agriculture, fisheries, tourism, and financial services, though these sectors remain relatively small. The capital is home to government ministries, the Sultan's palace, and corporate headquarters managing Brunei's vast oil wealth.

Bruneian culture is deeply rooted in Islam and Malay traditions, reflected in the city's stunning mosques, Islamic architecture, and conservative social norms. Brunei operates under Sharia law alongside civil law, influencing daily life and governance. The sultanate maintains traditional monarchy alongside modern governance structures. Citizens enjoy exceptional welfare benefits including free healthcare, education, and no income taxes—luxuries funded by oil revenues. The Kampong Ayer water villages preserve traditional stilted architecture and way of life dating back over a millennium. Despite oil wealth and modernization, Bandar Seri Begawan maintains a relaxed, peaceful atmosphere befitting its name "Abode of Peace," with minimal crime, clean streets, and strong community values reflecting Islamic principles and Malay heritage.

📜 History

The history of Bandar Seri Begawan traces back to the eighth century, with the establishment of a Malay stilt settlement on the waters of the Brunei River that became the predecessor of today's Kampong Ayer. The city became the capital of the Bruneian Sultanate from the 16th century onwards, serving as the center of power for the Bruneian Empire, which reached its zenith in the 15th and 16th centuries. During this golden age, Brunei controlled much of Borneo and parts of the Philippines, functioning as a vital trading hub engaging in commerce with China, the Malay Peninsula, and other Southeast Asian regions.

In the 19th century, Brunei became a British protectorate, entering a period of colonial influence that lasted until the mid-20th century. The city was formerly known as Brunei Town until 1970, when it was renamed Bandar Seri Begawan in honor of Omar Ali Saifuddien III, the 28th Sultan who abdicated in 1967 in favor of his son, the current Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah. Brunei's independence from Britain was formally declared on January 1, 1984, in a ceremony held in the city center. The discovery and exploitation of oil in the 20th century transformed Brunei from a modest sultanate into one of the world's wealthiest nations per capita, with petroleum revenues funding the dramatic modernization of Bandar Seri Begawan while preserving its Islamic character and sultanate traditions.