According to abbreviationfinder, Bandar Seri Begawan is the capital of Brunei. One of the greatest distinctions of this city is its port. As a tourist attraction, the charm of its markets stands out. As constructions worth visiting are, the University of Brunei Darussalam, the Royal Palace and its great Mosque.

History

The golden age of the city and the entire Sultanate of Brunei was between the 14th and 16th centuries, when it spread to the southern Philippines. But its power gradually weakened due to European influence and in 1888 it became an English protectorate.

Geography

Bandar Seri Begawan is located in the Sultanate of Brunei, located on the island of Borneo. It has a small coastal strip towards the South China Sea, and its only neighbor is Malaysia. It is bathed by the Brunei River.

Location

Bandar Seri Begawan is the capital of Brunei, a 5,765-square-kilometer sultanate located northwest of the island of Borneo, in Southeast Asia.

Climate

The climate of the capital of Bruni is tropical, hot and rainy, the city receives heavy rainfall throughout the year, with March being the driest month, on average the city receives 120 mm of rain per year. October and December are the rainiest months, when rainfall is received in two out of every three days on average. As is natural in cities with a tropical climate, the average temperatures are relatively constant throughout the year, the maximum temperatures in the city are around 32 ° C and the minimum temperatures average 23 ° C.

Nature

Wasai Kandal is an area adjacent to the city with large forests, waterfalls and lakes. Also, that most of the Sultanate is made up of thick forests and rivers.

Population

Bandar Seri Begawan is the capital of the Sultanate of Brunei and has a population of approximately 140,000 residents as of August 2010, reaching 278,000 within the metropolitan area. The vast majority of the citizens are ethnic Malay, the Chinese being the largest minority group. A large number of transitional workers live in the city, mostly from Indonesia, the Philippines and the Indian subcontinent. See population of Brunei.

Economy

The production of furniture, textiles, wood and handicrafts are the main sources of wealth in the city. He previously based his wealth on oil extraction, although his field is depleted.

Sightseeing

The Palace of the Sultan of Brunei is undoubtedly the most iconic building in the city, as it is one of the largest palaces in the world. Next to it another prominent building is the Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque. The University of Brunei Darussalam is another must-see. A walk through one of its markets is a very popular activity in the city. As for museums, the Brunei Art Gallery and the Brunei Museum stand out. On its coast you can go scuba diving.

Culture and art

The Kapmpong Ayer water district is the most interesting part of the city. It is the old neighborhood, and it is located on the river, communicating through numerous bridges. The visit is also a must to the Sultan’s Palace, the Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque and the tomb of Sultan Bolkiah. The University of Brunei Darussalam is also interesting. The Brunei Art Gallery and the Brunei Museum make up the city’s museum offering.

Crafts

The crafts that are sold in Bandar are of great beauty. Materials such as brass and silver are used. Gongs, cannons or kitchenware are some of those products. The textile is characterized by the coloring of the female costumes and the use of goldfor decorations.

Holidays and traditions

Brunei is an Islamic state, so the main holidays are those of that religion, such as Ramadan, Hegira or the anniversary of Muhammad. Given its proximity to China and its colony of citizens of that country, the Chinese New Year’s Eve is also celebrated.

Transport

Just 11 kilometers from the city center is Brunei International Airport and can be reached in just 10 minutes via the Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Highway. Among the airlines that operate flights to the airport are: Royal Brunei Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia, Cebu Pacific and Thai Airways International. There is a water taxi service known as “penambang” that is used as transportation between the center of Bandar Seri Begawan and Kampong Ayer. These water taxis are the most common means of getting around Kampung Ayer’s waterways. They can be approached from the numerous “berths” along the banks of the Brunei River. The prices are negotiable.

Important personalities

The Sultan Omar Saifuddin, which gives its name to the main mosque in the capital, was the ruler who led Brunei independence.