Brunei

摘要

Area: 5,770 sq.km (2,228 sq. miles); 2% arable, 1% meadows and pastures, 79% forest and woodland, 18% other. Coastline: 161km (100 miles). Maritime claims: Territorial waters 22km (12nm), exclusive fishing zone 370km (200nm). Population: 388,190 (July 2010 est.); annual growth rate 1.759% (2010 est.). The population is 62% Malay, 15% Chinese, 6% indigenous, 17% other. Religions: 67% Muslim (official), 10% Christian, 13% Buddhist, 10% indigenous beliefs and others. Languages: Malay (official); English, Chinese. Literacy rate: 92.7%. Long-form or legal name: Sultanate of Brunei (Negara Brunei Darussalam). Type of government: Constitutional Sultanate. Administrative divisions: 4 districts. Legal system: Based on English common law; for Muslims, Islamic Shari'a law supersedes civil law in a number of areas. A state of emergency has been in place since 1962. New Constitution promulgated by the Sultan in September 2004. Branches of government: The Sultan is both Chief of State and Head of Government. The Council of Cabinet Ministers, appointed and presided over by the Sultan, deals with executive matters. A 21-member Legislative Council (all members appointed by the Sultan and headed by the Sultan himself) convenes in March of each year. Under the new Constitution, this is to be eventually replaced by a partly-elected 45-member Parliament. There also is a Privy Council (members appointed by the Sultan) that deals with constitutional matters, and a Religious Council (members appointed by the Sultan) that advises on religious matters.