Brunei Geography

What is the terrain and geography like in Brunei?

Overview

Brunei occupies 3,459 square miles on the northern coast of the Island of Borneo and is 350 statute miles north of the Equator at 5º North, 115º East. Brunei is comprised of two separate areas: the capital area and a thinly populated enclave to the east consisting mostly of jungle. Separating the two is a salient of the Malaysian state of Sarawak, which on the landward side surrounds both parts of Brunei. To the north of Brunei lies the South China Sea. The country has four districts: Belait, Tutong, Brunei and Muara, and Temburong.

Brunei’s oil and gas fields are centered in the towns of Seria and Kuala Belait, approximately 67 miles southwest of the capital, as well as offshore. Other large towns include Tutong, midway between Bandar Seri Begawan and Kuala Belait, and Bangar in the Temburong District.

Geography - note

Close to vital sea lanes through the South China Sea linking the Indian and Pacific Oceans; two parts physically separated by Malaysia; almost an enclave within Malaysia

Climate

The country's landscape is mainly primary and secondary tropical rainforest with only a narrow coastal strip from Kuala Belait to Bandar Seri Begawan that is cultivated. The rainforest receives as much as 146 inches of rain in the interior, but only 108 inches a year is recorded on the coast. The two defined rainy seasons are from September to January (with December being the wettest month) and May to July. The climate is equatorial with uniform temperatures and high humidity.

Brunei Use of Natural Resources

Brunei Environment

Climate:

The country's landscape is mainly primary and secondary tropical rainforest with only a narrow coastal strip from Kuala Belait to Bandar Seri Begawan that is cultivated. The rainforest receives as much as 146 inches of rain in the interior, but only 108 inches a year is recorded on the coast. The two defined rainy seasons are from September to January (with December being the wettest month) and May to July. The climate is equatorial with uniform temperatures and high humidity.

Terrain:

Flat coastal plain rises to mountains in east; hilly lowland in west

Natural Resources:

Petroleum, natural gas, timber

Natural Hazards:

Typhoons, earthquakes, and severe flooding are rare

Irrigated Land:

4 Square Miles
10 Square Kilometers

Environmental Issues:

Seasonal smoke/haze resulting from forest fires in Indonesia

Environment - International Agreements:

Party To: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Brunei Geography

Geographic Location Southeast Asia
Total Area 2,226 Square Miles
5,765 Square Kilometers
Land Area 2,033 Square Miles
5,265 Square Kilometers
Water Area 193 Square Miles
500 Square Kilometers
Land Boundaries 237 Miles
381 Kilometers
Irrigated Land 4 Square Miles
10 Square Kilometers
Border Countries Malaysia 381 km
Coastline 100 Miles
161 Kilometers
Geographic Coordinates 4 30 N, 114 40 E
Terrain Flat coastal plain rises to mountains in east; hilly lowland in west
Highest Point 1,850 Meters
Highest Point Location Bukit Pagon 1,850 m
Lowest Point Location South China Sea 0 m
Natural Resources Petroleum, natural gas, timber
Time Zone UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
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