Bandar Seri Begawan

Bandar Seri Begawan, also called BSB, is the capital and largest city of Brunei. It covers an area of 100.36 square kilometres and has a population of about 72,133 people. Bandar Seri Begawan is part of Brunei–Muara District, which holds over 70 percent of the country’s people. It is the main urban center and the only city in Brunei. It is home to the government, business activities, and cultural traditions.

Originally known as Brunei Town, the city was renamed in 1970 to honor Omar Ali Saifuddien III, the 28th Sultan of Brunei and father of the current Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah. The city’s history goes back to a Malay stilt settlement along the Brunei River, which later became Kampong Ayer. The city became the capital of the Bruneian Sultanate in the 16th century and was a British protectorate in the 19th century. During World War II, the city was occupied until forces brought liberation in 1945. Brunei declared independence from Britain on January 1, 1984, in the city centre.

Today, Bandar Seri Begawan is famous for some remarkable sites. It is home to Istana Nurul Iman, the world’s largest residential palace, and the Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque, a famous landmark. Kampong Ayer, often called the Venice of the East, is the largest water village in the world. The city has hosted important international events, including the 20th Southeast Asian Games in 1999 and the 8th APEC Summit in 2000.

Etymology

Bandar Seri Begawan was named after the 28th Sultan of Brunei, Omar Ali Saifuddien III. The name Seri Begawan comes from a word in Sanskrit that means "the shining and saintly". The city got its new name on October 4, 1970, to honor his help in Brunei's development. Before that, the city was called Brunei Town or Bandar Brunei in Malay.

History

The history of Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei's capital, has three main parts. It started in the 1600s near Kota Batu. The capital moved to Kampong Ayer, a group of water villages on the Brunei River. Kampong Ayer is still part of the city today.

In the early 1900s, the capital moved to land, especially after 1906. This helped people live better and let the city grow. During World War II, the town was damaged but was rebuilt. In the 1970s and 1980s, the city grew with new buildings. Bandar Seri Begawan was named on 4 October 1970. Brunei became independent on 1 January 1984. The city grew larger in 2007.

Government

Bandar Seri Begawan is managed by the Bandar Seri Begawan Municipal Board. This board is part of the Ministry of Home Affairs. It started in 1921 to keep the city clean and became a full board by 1935.

The city is in the Brunei–Muara District, the smallest but most crowded district in the country. On August 1, 2007, the city grew from about 13 square kilometers to over 100 square kilometers. It now includes areas such as Mukim Berakas 'A', Mukim Berakas 'B', Mukim Burong Pingai Ayer, Mukim Gadong 'A', Mukim Gadong 'B', Mukim Kianggeh, Mukim Kilanas, Mukim Kota Batu, Mukim Peramu, Mukim Saba, Mukim Sungai Kebun, Mukim Sungai Kedayan, and Mukim Tamoi.

Geography

The Brunei–Muara District is the smallest district in Brunei and surrounds the capital city, Bandar Seri Begawan. The area has low hills, wet coastal plains, and narrow valleys along important rivers. Places in the area include Tutong, Limbang, Sarawak, Bukit Kota, and Subok Hill.

The Brunei River flows into Brunei Bay near the city. Other rivers nearby include the Kedayan River. The region has a tropical rainforest climate, with rain falling often during the year.

Demographics

Bandar Seri Begawan had about 20,000 people in 2011. The city area had around 279,924 people. Most people are Malays. The largest minority group is Chinese. There are also smaller groups like the Bisaya, Belait, Dusun, Kedayan, Lun Bawang, Murut, and Tutong. Many workers from other countries live in the city. They come from places like Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, and the Indian subcontinent.

Main sights and tourism

Bandar Seri Begawan has many important historical and religious places to visit. Notable mosques include the Ash-Shaliheen Mosque, Jame' Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque, and Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque. The tombs of Bolkiah and Sharif Ali in Kota Batu show Brunei's rich history. The Lapau is used for royal ceremonies, and the Old Lapau in the Brunei History Centre adds to the city's cultural importance. The city has many museums, such as the Brunei Museum in the Kota Batu Archaeological Park, the Brunei Darussalam Maritime Museum, and the Royal Regalia Museum.

The city includes former royal homes like Istana Darussalam and Istana Darul Hana, and the current residence, Istana Nurul Iman. Kampong Ayer is a village on stilts along the Brunei River and is known as the largest stilt settlement in the world. Several parks mark important events, such as Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar 'Ali Saifuddien, where Brunei's declaration of independence was read in 1984.

Transportation

Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital city of Brunei, has many ways to get around. You can take buses to different parts of the country. The Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saifuddien Bridge, which opened in 2020, connects the city to Temburong without going through Sarawak, Malaysia. There is a main bus station in Jalan Cator with six bus routes.

You can fly from Brunei International Airport, which is 11 km from the city centre. The national airline, Royal Brunei Airlines, is based in the city. For water travel, ships can dock at the former port of Dermaga Diraja Bandar Seri Begawan. There are regular boat services to places like Victoria Harbour, Bangar, and some towns in Malaysia. Water taxis, called 'penambang', are a common way to travel around the waterways of Kampong Ayer.

Economy

Bandar Seri Begawan has a busy economy with many craftspeople making furniture, textiles, and other handmade goods. Shoppers often visit the Gadong area, where they can find many shops, restaurants, and cafes.

The Kianggeh Market is one of the oldest markets in Brunei and is a great place to try local foods, seafood, and fruits. At the Gadong Night Market, visitors can enjoy many dishes, including popular local foods like roti john and satay, as well as tasty fruits such as durian.

Education

Bandar Seri Begawan has many schools for children of all ages. You can find historic schools like Raja Isteri Girls High School, the country’s first all-girls secondary school, as well as private schools such as Jerudong International School and International School Brunei.

The city also has government colleges for older students, including Duli Pengiran Muda Al-Muhtadee Billah College and Hassanal Bolkiah Boys' Arabic Secondary School.

For higher education, the city is home to universities such as Sultan Sharif Ali Islamic University and Seri Begawan Religious Teachers University College. There are also technical schools like the Institute of Brunei Technical Education and Brunei Polytechnic, along with private colleges including Cosmopolitan College of Commerce and Technology and Laksamana College of Business.

International relations

Bandar Seri Begawan is an important city where many countries have embassies, commissions, or consulates. Some of these countries include Australia, Bangladesh, Belgium, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burma (Myanmar), Cambodia, Canada, Chile, China, Finland, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Netherlands, New Zealand, North Korea, Oman, Pakistan, Philippines, Poland, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Vietnam. These diplomatic missions help create good relationships and work together between Brunei and other parts of the world.

Sister cities

Bandar Seri Begawan has several sister cities around the world. These include Nanjing in China, Jakarta in Indonesia, Tokyo in Japan, Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, and London in the United Kingdom. These partnerships help promote cultural and economic ties between the cities.