Other major towns are the port town of Muara, the oil producing town of Seria and its neighboring town, Kuala Belait. In the Belait district, the Panaga area is home to large numbers of expatriates due to Royal Dutch Shell and British Army housing and recreational facilities. Jerudong Park, a well known amusement park, is located on the west of Bandar Seri Begawan. Climate Brunei Darussalam has an equatorial climate. The average annual temperature is 27.1°C, with the April-May average of 27.7°C and the October-December average of 26.8°C[11]. Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year Mean Maximum (°C) 27.8 27.8 29.2 29.1 29.5 28.1 28.4 28.3 28.0 27.5 27.4 28.0 28.3 Mean Minimum (°C) 25.1 26.0 26.5 26.9 26.9 26.7 26.1 26.3 26.3 26.1 26.2 25.6 26.2 Average Rainfall (mm) 277.7 138.3 113.0 200.3 239.0 214.2 228.8 215.8 257.7 319.9 329.4 343.5 2873.9 Economy Main article: Economy of Brunei This small, wealthy economy is a mixture of foreign and domestic entrepreneurship, government regulation, welfare measures, and village tradition. Crude oil and natural gas production account for nearly half of its GDP. Substantial income from overseas investment supplements income from domestic production. The government provides for all medical services and subsidizes rice and housing. Brunei's leaders are concerned that steadily increased integration in the world economy will undermine internal social cohesion although it became a more prominent player by serving as chairman for the 2000 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum. Stated plans for the future include upgrading the labour force, reducing unemployment, strengthening the banking and tourism sectors, and, in general, further widening the economic base. The national airline, Royal Brunei, is trying to make Brunei a hub for international travel between Europe and Australia/New Zealand, and also has services to major Asian destinations. Brunei is increasingly importing from other countries. The Brunei Halal brand[12] Brunei Darussalam in July 2009 launched its national halal branding scheme which allows manufacturers in Brunei and in other countries to use the premium Brunei Halal trademark to help them penetrate lucrative markets in countries with significant numbers of Muslim consumers. As envisioned by the Sultanate, the use of the Brunei Halal brand would signify to Muslim consumers the manufacturers' strict compliance with laws relating to Islamic teachings. Brunei also aims to build confidence in the brand through strategies that will both ensure the halal integrity of the products and unfaltering compliance with set rules governing the sourcing of raw materials, manufacturing process, logistics and distribution. The Brunei Halal brand is said to be the first proper attempt to put together a global halal brand that will reap the potential commercial returns of catering to the consumption needs of Muslims worldwide. It capitalises on the reputation of the Sultanate in fostering strict adherence to Islamic teachings among its Muslim citizens. A new company, government-owned Brunei Wafirah Holdings Sdn Bhd, has been established as the owner of the Brunei Halal brand. Wafirah has entered into a joint venture with Brunei Global Islamic Investment and Hong Kong-based logistics firm Kerry FSDA Limited to form Ghanim International Food Corporation Sdn Bhd. Ghanim International manages the use of the Brunei Halal trademark. Producers that want to use the brand are required to first acquire the Brunei halal label (or the certification for compliance with accepted manufacturing and slaughtering practices under Islam) through the Department of Syariah Affairs' Halal Food Control Section. They can then approach Ghanim for their application to use the brand. Agriculture Brunei has set an ambitious target of increasing food self-sufficiency through rice production from the current 3.12 per cent to 20 and 60 per cent by 2010 and 2015 respectively.[citation needed] To achieve this target, Brunei renamed its Brunei Darussalam Rice 1 to Laila Rice during the launch of the "Padi Planting Towards Achieving Self-Sufficiency of Rice Production in Brunei Darussalam" ceremony at the Wasan padi fields in April 2009.[13] In August 2009, the Royal Family reaped the first few Laila padi stalks, after years of multiple attempts to boost local rice production, a goal which was envisioned about half a century ago.[14] Healthcare All Brunei citizens have access to free healthcare from public hospitals. The largest hospital in Brunei is Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha Hospital, and there is a private medical centre, the Jerudong Park Medical Centre. As of 2008, no hospitals in Brunei were undergoing international healthcare accreditation. However the health system of Brunei Darussalam was ranked fourth in the Asia-Pacific region and second in Asean after Singapore.[15] There is currently no medical school in Brunei, and Bruneians wishing to study to become doctors must attend university overseas. However, the Institute of Medicines had been introduced at the Universiti Brunei Darussalam and a new building has been built for the faculty. The building, including research lab facilities, was completed in 2009. There has been a School of Nursing since 1951.[16] 58 nurse managers were appointed in RIPAS to improve service and provide better medical care.[17] In December 2008, The nursing college merged with the Institute of Medicines at the Universiti Brunei Darussalam to produce more nurses and midwives.[18] The Health Promotion Centre opened in November 2008 and serves to educate the public on the importance of having a healthy lifestyle.[15] Transport Main article: Transport in Brunei Brunei is accessible by air, sea and land transport. Brunei International Airport is the main entry point to the country. Royal Brunei Airlines[19] is the national carrier. The ferry terminal at Muara services regular connections to Labuan island (Malaysia). The speedboats provide pasanger and goods transportation to the Temburong district. The main highway running across Brunei is the Tutong-Muara Highway. The country's road network is well developed. Brunei has one main sea port located at Muara. The export of its petroleum products is carried out through dedicated terminals. Demographics Main article: Demographics of Brunei See also: Islam in Brunei, Buddhism in Brunei, and Christianity in Brunei The official language of the nation is Malay (Malay: Bahasa Melayu), although an important minority speak Chinese language. The local variety of Malay (Kedayan or Bukit Malay), spoken natively by two thirds of the population, is quite divergent from and unintelligible to Standard Malay. The most important aboriginal languages are Iban, and two languages called Tutong, each with about 20,000 speakers. English is also widely spoken and there is a relatively large expatriate community with significant numbers of British and Australian citizens. The foreign population is around 220,000 people. The non expatriate population is around 399,290. Ethnicity Malay 66.3%, Chinese 11.2%, Indigenous 3.4%, Other 19.1% (2004 est.)[20] Religion Brunei religiosity religion percent Islam  ? 67% Buddhism  ? 13% Christianity  ? 11% Free Thinkers  ? 7% Indigenous  ? 2% Islam is the official religion of Brunei at 67 percent, and the sultan is the head of the religion in the country. Other faiths practised are Buddhism (13 percent, mainly by the Chinese) and Christianity (11 percent). Non-religious are mostly Chinese at about 7 percent, although most of them practice some forms of religion with elements of Buddhism, Confucianism and Taoism, they prefer to present themselves as having professed no religion officially, hence regarded as Atheists in official censuses. Indigenous religions are about 2 percent. Culture Main article: Culture of Brunei The culture of Brunei is predominantly Malay (reflecting its ethnicity), with heavy influences from Islam, but is seen as more conservative than Malaysia.[21] Brunei also has a large number of foreign workers, including Indonesian and Filipino workers, labourers from Thailand, Indonesia and the Indian subcontinent (particularly India and Bangladesh), and American and British professionals working in industry and education. Prohibition of alcohol As a Sharia country, the sale and public consumption of alcohol is banned.[22] Foreigners and non-Muslims are allowed to bring in 12 cans of beer and two bottles of other alcohol (e.g., wine or spirits; no distinction is made for alcohol content). This limit used to apply to every entry; in 2007, however, this was changed to one limit every 48 hours. After the introduction of prohibition in the early 1990s, all pubs and nightclubs were forced to close. Bruneian celebrities Dk Najibah Era Al-Sufri, a member of the Kaspersky Commonwealth Antarctic Expedition Wu Chun, member of Fahrenheit Hill, male singer and actor Zul F, winner of 2005 Brunei Idol Maria, local female singer See also Main article: Outline of Brunei Asia portal Bahasa Brunei language edition of Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Astronomy in Brunei Brooketon Brunei Revolt Communications in Brunei Foreign relations of Brunei Girl Guides in Brunei History of Brunei Hospitals in Brunei Istana Nurul Iman  (Sultan's Palace) Jerudong Park Medical Centre List of Bruneians List of Brunei-related topics Media of Brunei Military of Brunei Music of Brunei North Borneo Federation Royal Brunei Airlines Scouting in Brunei Sport in Brunei Transport in Brunei Universiti Brunei Darussalam Water Village (Brunei) List of Sunni Muslim dynasties Notes and references ^ "Brunei Tourism". Tourismbrunei.com. http://www.tourismbrunei.com/facts/facts.html. Retrieved 2009-12-30.  ^ Brunei. CIA World Factbook. 2009. https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/bx.html.  ^ a b c d "Brunei". International Monetary Fund. http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2009/02/weodata/weorept.aspx?sy=2006&ey=2009&scsm=1&ssd=1&sort=country&ds=.&br=1&c=516&s=NGDPD%2CNGDPDPC%2CPPPGDP%2CPPPPC%2CLP&grp=0&a=&pr.x=37&pr.y=19. Retrieved 2009-10-01.  ^ "Human Development Report 2009. Human development index trends: Table G". The United Nations. http://hdr.undp.org/en/media/HDR_2009_EN_Complete.pdf. Retrieved 2009-10-05.  ^ "Human Development Reports". United Nations. http://hdr.undp.org/en/statistics/. Retrieved 2009-10-05.  ^ "Background Note: Brunei Darussalam". US State Department. http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2700.htm. Retrieved 2008-12-16.  ^ "Freedom Of The Press - Brunei (2006)". Freedomhouse.org. http://www.freedomhouse.org/inc/content/pubs/pfs/inc_country_detail.cfm?country=6929&year=2007&pf. Retrieved 2009-12-30.  ^ a b "About Brunei". Bruneipress.com.bn. 1998-07-30. http://www.bruneipress.com.bn/brunei/brunei.html. Retrieved 2009-12-30.  ^ the CIA World Fact Book ^ 2001 Summary Tables of the Population Census. Department of Statistics, Brunei Darussalam ^ http://www.bruneiweather.com.bn/content/summary3pix.php ^ Hadi Dp Mahmudbandar Seri Begawan (2009-08-01). "Brunei pioneers national halal branding | The Brunei Times". Bt.com.bn. http://www.bt.com.bn/en/local_business/2009/08/01/brunei_pioneers_national_halal_branding. Retrieved 2009-12-30.  ^ Ubaidillah Masli, Goh De Noand Faez Hani BRUNEI-MUARA (2009-04-28). "'Laila Rice' to Brunei's rescue | The Brunei Times". Bt.com.bn. http://www.bt.com.bn/en/home_news/2009/04/28/laila_rice_to_bruneis_rescue. Retrieved 2009-12-30.  ^ Ubaidillah Masli, Deno Gohand Faez HaniBRUNEI-MUARA (2009-08-04). "HM inaugurates Laila harvest | The Brunei Times". Bt.com.bn. http://www.bt.com.bn/en/home_news/2009/08/04/hm_inaugurates_laila_harvest. Retrieved 2009-12-30.  ^ a b Bandar Seri Begawan (2009-04-17). "HRH visits Health Promotion Centre | The Brunei Times". Bt.com.bn. http://www.bt.com.bn/en/home_news/2009/04/17/hrh_visits_health_promotion_centre. Retrieved 2009-12-30.  ^ "FHA - [Nursing staff education in Brunei - Article Summary". Find-health-articles.com. http://www.find-health-articles.com/rec_pub_17004384-nursing-staff-education-brunei.htm. Retrieved 2009-12-30.  ^ Bandar Seri Begawan (2009-03-19). "58 nurse managers appointed | The Brunei Times". Bt.com.bn. http://www.bt.com.bn/en/home_news/2009/03/19/58_nurse_managers_appointed. Retrieved 2009-12-30.  ^ Hadi Dp Mahmudbandar Seri Begawan (2008-12-06). "Problem needs nursing with care | The Brunei Times". Bt.com.bn. http://www.bt.com.bn/en/home_news/2008/12/06/problem_needs_nursing_with_care. Retrieved 2009-12-30.  ^ http://www.bruneiair.com/ ^ "Brunei". CIA - The World Factbook. https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/bx.html. This comes to 90%, we're not sure about the last 10%. ^ For a discussion of religious freedom, see http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2006/71334.htm (United States Department of State). ^ Brunei Tourism Website (Government appointed) Bibliography Wikisource has the text of the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica article Brunei.  This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the CIA World Factbook. U.S. Department of State website (2003) L. W. W. Gudgeon, British North Borneo, Adam and Charles Black: London, 1913. External links Find more about Brunei on Wikipedia's sister projects: Definitions from Wiktionary Textbooks from Wikibooks Quotations from Wikiquote Source texts from Wikisource Images and media from Commons News stories from Wikinews Learning resources from Wikiversity Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Brunei Government Government of Brunei Darussalam website Chief of State and Cabinet Members General information Brunei entry at The World Factbook Brunei from UCB Libraries GovPubs Brunei at the Open Directory Project Wikimedia Atlas of Brunei Business Brunei Business Directory Travel Brunei travel guide from Wikitravel Brunei Tourism website Brunei information on globalEDGE The Daily Brunei Resources blog. Contains extra information on the country through the eyes of a Bruneian   Articles Related to Brunei v • d • e Asia Sovereign states Afghanistan · Armenia1 · Azerbaijan1 · Bahrain · Bangladesh · Bhutan · Brunei · Burma2 · Cambodia · People's Republic of China · Cyprus1 · East Timor3 · Egypt4 · Georgia4 · India · Indonesia · Iran · Iraq · Israel · Japan · Jordan · Kazakhstan4 · North Korea · South Korea · Kuwait · Kyrgyzstan · Laos · Lebanon · Malaysia · Maldives · Mongolia · Nepal · Oman · Pakistan · Philippines · Qatar · Russia4 · Saudi Arabia · Singapore · Sri Lanka · Syria · Tajikistan · Republic of China5 · Thailand · Turkey4 · Turkmenistan · United Arab Emirates · Uzbekistan · Vietnam · Yemen States with limited recognition Abkhazia1 · Nagorno-Karabakh · Northern Cyprus · Palestine · South Ossetia1 · Dependencies, autonomies, other territories Aceh · Adjara1 · Akrotiri and Dhekelia · Altai · British Indian Ocean Territory · Buryatia · Christmas Island · Cocos (Keeling) Islands · Guangxi · Hong Kong · Inner Mongolia · Iraqi Kurdistan · Khakassia · Macau · Nakhchivan · Ningxia · Papua · Sakha · Tibet · Tuva · West Papua · Xinjiang · 1 Sometimes included in Europe, depending on the border definitions.  2 Officially known as Myanmar.  3 Sometimes included in Oceania, and also known as Timor-Leste.  4 Transcontinental country.  5 Commonly known as Taiwan.     Geographic locale Lat. and Long. 4°53'25?N 114°56'32?E? / ?4.89028°N 114.94222°E? / 4.89028; 114.94222 (Bandar Seri Begawan) v • d • e Countries of the Malay Archipelago Brunei · East Timor · Indonesia · Malaysia · Philippines · Singapore · Papua New Guinea v • d • e Countries and other territories in Southeast Asia     Sovereign states  Brunei  Burma  Cambodia  East Timor  Indonesia  Laos  Malaysia  Philippines  Singapore  Thailand  Vietnam Dependencies  Christmas Island  Cocos (Keeling) Islands Divisions of sovereign states  Andaman and Nicobar Islands    Hainan   Disputed territories Islands in the Naf River (Bangladesh, Burma (Myanmar)) · Macclesfield Bank (Philippines, PRC, ROC) · Paracel Islands (PRC, ROC, Vietnam) · Pratas Islands (PRC, ROC) · Scarborough Shoal (Philippines, PRC, ROC) · Spratly Islands (Brunei, Malaysia, Philippines, PRC, ROC, Vietnam) Active separatist or autonomist movements West Papua · Chinland · Nagaland · Wa State · Zogam · Bangsamoro · Patani v • d • e Countries of Asia Afghanistan · Armenia · Azerbaijan1 · Bahrain · Bangladesh · Bhutan · Brunei · Burma · Cambodia · People's Republic of China · Republic of China (Taiwan)2 · Cyprus · Egypt3 · Georgia1 · India · Indonesia4 · Iran · Iraq · Israel · Japan · Jordan · Kazakhstan1 · North Korea · South Korea · Kuwait · Kyrgyzstan · Laos · Lebanon · Malaysia · Maldives · Mongolia · Nepal · Oman · Pakistan · Philippines · Qatar · Russia1 · Saudi Arabia · Singapore · Sri Lanka · Syria · Tajikistan · Thailand · East Timor (Timor-Leste)4 · Turkey1 · Turkmenistan · United Arab Emirates · Uzbekistan · Vietnam · Yemen3 For dependent and other territories, see Dependent territory. 1 Partly or significantly in Europe.  2 The Republic of China (Taiwan) is not officially recognized by the United Nations; see Political status of Taiwan. 3 Partly or significantly in Africa.  4 Partly or wholly reckoned in Oceania.   International membership v • d • e Association of Southeast Asian Nations Members Brunei · Burma (Myanmar) · Cambodia · Indonesia · Laos · Malaysia · Philippines · Singapore · Thailand · Vietnam Observers Papua New Guinea · Timor-Leste Summits/Forums ASEAN Summits · ASEAN Free Trade Area · ASEAN +3 · ASEAN Regional Forum · ASEM · East Asia Summit Related articles Anthem · Charter · Common Time · Date of Establishment · Flag · Hymn · Organizations · SEA Games · Secretariat · Treaty of Amity and Cooperation v • d • e East Asia Summit (EAS) First · Second · Third · Fourth · Fifth      Australia  Brunei  PR China  Cambodia  India  Indonesia  Japan  Laos  Malaysia  Myanmar  New Zealand  Philippines  Singapore  South Korea  Thailand  Vietnam Potential future members       Timor-Leste    Papua New Guinea