Brunei Darussalam, literally translated as a place of peace, did not always live up to its name. There was a time in history when the sultanate had to battle it out with colonizing Spain in what is known as the Castille War of 1578 and thereafter fight off pirates who were threatening its control of merchant traffic.
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COUNTRY PROFILE
| BRUNEI | |
| Capital | Bandari Seri Begawan |
| Land Area | 5,765 sq km |
| Population | 422,675 (2014 estimate) |
| Currency | Brunei dollar |
| Demonym | Bruneian |
| Government | Absolute Monarchy |
| Head of State | Sultan Hassanal Boliah (since 1967) |
| Independence | January 1, 1984 |
| National Anthem | Allah Peliharakan Sultan (God Bless His Majesty) |
| Languages | Malay, English, Chinese |
| Religions | Islam, Buddhism, Christianity |
| Year of ASEAN Membership | 1984 |
| Human Development Index | 0.855 (2012) |
| GDP per Capita | US$38,703 |
| Internet Subscribers | 560 (per 1,000 persons) |
| Inflation Rate | 1.80% (2011) |
| Urban Population | 75.7% (2011) |
| Life Expectancy | 78.3 years |
| Tourist Arrival | 242,000 |
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