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, serving as the home of 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 history of Bandar Seri Begawan dates 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, Japanese forces occupied the city until Allied 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 according to the Guinness World Records, 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 also 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 title of the 28th Sultan of Brunei, Omar Ali Saifuddien III. The title Seri Begawan comes from a word in Sanskrit meaning "the shining and saintly". The city was renamed on October 4, 1970, to honor his work in helping Brunei develop in the 20th century. Before this, the city was called Brunei Town or Bandar Brunei in Malay.

History

The history of Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei's capital, unfolded in three main stages. It began in the 17th century as a water settlement near present-day Kota Batu. The capital later moved to the area around Kampong Ayer, a collection of water villages built over the Brunei River. Today, Kampong Ayer remains a unique part of the modern city.

In the early 1900s, the capital shifted to land, especially after 1906. This change helped improve living conditions and allowed the city to grow. During World War II, the town suffered damage from bombings and occupation but was later rebuilt. In the 1970s and 1980s, the city expanded with new buildings and a central business district. Bandar Seri Begawan was officially named on 4 October 1970, and Brunei declared independence on 1 January 1984. The city area was expanded in 2007 from 12.87 km² (4.97 sq mi) to 100.36 km² (38.75 sq mi).

Government

Bandar Seri Begawan is managed by the Bandar Seri Begawan Municipal Board, which is part of the Ministry of Home Affairs. The board began in 1921 as a group focused on keeping the city clean and grew into a full municipal board by 1935.

The city is located in the Brunei–Muara District, the smallest but most crowded district in the country. By August 1, 2007, the city’s area grew from about 13 square kilometers to over 100 square kilometers. It now includes many 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, which is the smallest of Brunei's western districts, surrounds the capital city of Bandar Seri Begawan. The landscape features low hills, marshy coastal plains, and narrow valleys along important rivers. The area includes places like Tutong, Limbang, Sarawak, Bukit Kota, and Subok Hill.

The Brunei River flows into Brunei Bay near the city, along with other rivers such as the Kedayan River. The region also has a tropical rainforest climate, with lots of rain throughout the year. The heaviest rain ever recorded fell on July 9, 2020, when 662 millimetres of rain was measured at the airport.

Demographics

The population of Bandar Seri Begawan was estimated to be around 20,000 in 2011, with the larger metropolitan area home to about 279,924 people. Most residents are Malays, with Chinese making up the largest minority group. There are also smaller groups of indigenous people such as the Bisaya, Belait, Dusun, Kedayan, Lun Bawang, Murut, and Tutong. Many foreign workers live in the city, coming mainly from countries like Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, and the Indian subcontinent.

Main sights and tourism

Bandar Seri Begawan is full of important historical and religious sites. 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 are key attractions, showing Brunei's rich history. The Lapau, used for royal ceremonies, and the Old Lapau in the Brunei History Centre add to the city's cultural importance. The city also 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, a village on stilts along the Brunei River, 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

The capital city of Brunei, Bandar Seri Begawan, has several ways to get around. By land, you can take buses that travel to different parts of the country. The Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saifuddien Bridge, opened in 2020, now connects the city to Temburong without needing to go through Sarawak, Malaysia. There is also a main bus station in Jalan Cator with six bus routes serving the area.

By air, Brunei International Airport serves the whole country and is just 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, and there are regular boat services to places like Victoria Harbour, Bangar, and even some towns in Malaysia. Water taxis, known as 'penambang', are a common way to travel around the waterways of Kampong Ayer.

Economy

Bandar Seri Begawan has a lively 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 a wide variety of 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 offers 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 established 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 foster relationships and cooperation between Brunei and the rest 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.