Officially titled Nation of Brunei, The Abode of Peace, or simply Brunei, is a small country situated on the Northern coast of the Island Borneo in Southeast Asia. With a population of just over 400,000 citizens and a geographical span of 2,226 square miles, Brunei is one of the world's smallest countries.
Brunei is known for the high standard of living within its nation, with a rich economy that thrives on its oil and natural gas. However, despite this seeming economical abundance, the country is ruled by its royal family, the Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, who dominate the media and recently made global headlines for passing a bill that sees homosexuality treated with stoning to death. This came after the Muslim-minority country adopted Sharia law in 2014.
Brunei was a British protectorate since 1888 and gained independence in 1984, after choosing to be autonomous from Malaysia.
