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Compare Brunei (2003) - United Arab Emirates (2001)
Compare Brunei (2003) z United Arab Emirates (2001)
| Brunei (2003) | United Arab Emirates (2001) | |
 |  | |
| Administrative divisions | 4 districts (daerah-daerah, singular - daerah); Belait, Brunei and Muara, Temburong, Tutong | 7 emirates (imarat, singular - imarah); Abu Zaby (Abu Dhabi), 'Ajman, Al Fujayrah, Ash Shariqah (Sharjah), Dubayy (Dubai), Ra's al Khaymah, Umm al Qaywayn |
| Age structure | 0-14 years: 29.6% (male 54,118; female 51,902)
15-64 years: 67.6% (male 128,421; female 113,480) 65 years and over: 2.8% (male 4,804; female 5,373) (2003 est.) |
0-14 years:
28.86% (male 354,298; female 340,498) 15-64 years: 68.74% (male 1,047,839; female 607,020) 65 years and over: 2.4% (male 40,626; female 17,179) (2001 est.) |
| Agriculture - products | rice, vegetables, fruits, chickens, water buffalo | dates, vegetables, watermelons; poultry, eggs, dairy products; fish |
| Airports | 2 (2002) | 40 (2000 est.) |
| Airports - with paved runways | total: 1
over 3,047 m: 1 (2002) |
total:
22 over 3,047 m: 8 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 4 (2000 est.) |
| Airports - with unpaved runways | total: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2002) |
total:
18 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 9 under 914 m: 3 (2000 est.) |
| Area | total: 5,770 sq km
land: 5,270 sq km water: 500 sq km |
total:
82,880 sq km land: 82,880 sq km water: 0 sq km |
| Area - comparative | slightly smaller than Delaware | slightly smaller than Maine |
| Background | The Sultanate of Brunei's influence peaked between the 15th and 17th centuries when its control extended over coastal areas of northwest Borneo and the southern Philippines. Brunei subsequently entered a period of decline brought on by internal strife over royal succession, colonial expansion of European powers, and piracy. In 1888, Brunei became a British protectorate; independence was achieved in 1984. The same family has ruled Brunei for over six centuries. Brunei benefits from extensive petroleum and natural gas fields, the source of one of the highest per capita GDPs in the developing world. | The Trucial States of the Persian Gulf coast granted the UK control of their defense and foreign affairs in 19th century treaties. In 1971, six of these states - Abu Zaby, 'Ajman, Al Fujayrah, Ash Shariqah, Dubayy, and Umm al Qaywayn - merged to form the UAE. They were joined in 1972 by Ra's al Khaymah. The UAE's per capita GDP is not far below those of the leading West European nations. Its generosity with oil revenues and its moderate foreign policy stance have allowed it to play a vital role in the affairs of the region. |
| Birth rate | 19.68 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) | 18.11 births/1,000 population (2001 est.) |
| Budget | revenues: $2.5 billion
expenditures: $2.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $1.35 billion (1997 est.) |
revenues:
$6.5 billion expenditures: $7.3 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.) |
| Capital | Bandar Seri Begawan | Abu Dhabi |
| Climate | tropical; hot, humid, rainy | desert; cooler in eastern mountains |
| Coastline | 161 km | 1,318 km |
| Constitution | 29 September 1959 (some provisions suspended under a State of Emergency since December 1962, others since independence on 1 January 1984) | 2 December 1971 (made permanent in 1996) |
| Country name | conventional long form: Negara Brunei Darussalam
conventional short form: Brunei |
conventional long form:
United Arab Emirates conventional short form: none local long form: Al Imarat al Arabiyah al Muttahidah local short form: none former: Trucial Oman, Trucial States abbreviation: UAE |
| Currency | Bruneian dollar (BND) | Emirati dirham (AED) |
| Death rate | 3.39 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) | 3.79 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.) |
| Debt - external | $0 | $12.6 billion (2000 est.) |
| Diplomatic representation from the US | chief of mission: Ambassador Gene B. CHRISTY
embassy: Third Floor, Teck Guan Plaza, Jalan Sultan, Bandar Seri Begawan mailing address: PSC 470 (BSB), FPO AP 96507 telephone: [673] (2) 229670 FAX: [673] (2) 225293 |
chief of mission:
Ambassador Theodore H. KATTOUF embassy: Al-Sudan Street, Abu Dhabi mailing address: P. O. Box 4009, Abu Dhabi; American Embassy Abu Dhabi, Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-6010 (pouch); note - work week is Saturday through Wednesday telephone: [971] (2) 4436691 FAX: [971] (2) 4435441 consulate(s) general: Dubai |
| Diplomatic representation in the US | chief of mission: Ambassador Anak Dato Haji PUTEH
chancery: 3520 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 237-1838 FAX: [1] (202) 885-0560 |
chief of mission:
Ambassador Asri Said Ahmad al-DHAHIRI chancery: Suite 700, 1255 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20037 telephone: [1] (202) 955-7999 |
| Disputes - international | Involved in dispute over the Spratly Islands with China, Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam; Brunei established an exclusive economic fishing zone encompassing Louisa Reef in southern Spratly Islands in 1984 but makes no public territorial claim to the offshore reefs; claimants in November 2002 signed the "Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea", a mechanism to ease tension but which fell short of a legally binding "code of conduct" | location and status of boundary with Saudi Arabia is not final, de facto boundary reflects 1974 agreement; boundary with Oman has not been bilaterally defined; northern section in the Musandam Peninsula is an administrative boundary; claims two islands in the Persian Gulf occupied by Iran: Lesser Tunb (called Tunb as Sughra in Arabic by UAE and Jazireh-ye Tonb-e Kuchek in Persian by Iran) and Greater Tunb (called Tunb al Kubra in Arabic by UAE and Jazireh-ye Tonb-e Bozorg in Persian by Iran); claims island in the Persian Gulf jointly administered with Iran (called Abu Musa in Arabic by UAE and Jazireh-ye Abu Musa in Persian by Iran) - over which Iran has taken steps to exert unilateral control since 1992, including access restrictions and a military build-up on the island; the UAE has garnered significant diplomatic support in the region in protesting these Iranian actions |
| Economic aid - recipient | $4.3 million (1995) | $NA |
| Economy - overview | This small, wealthy economy encompasses a mixture of foreign and domestic entrepreneurship, government regulation, welfare measures, and village tradition. Crude oil and natural gas production account for nearly half of GDP. Per capita GDP is far above most other Third World countries, and substantial income from overseas investment supplements income from domestic production. The government provides for all medical services and subsidizes rice and housing. Brunei's leaders are concerned that steadily increased integration in the world economy will undermine internal social cohesion, although it became a more prominent player by serving as chairman for the 2000 APEC (Asian Pacific Economic Cooperation) forum. Plans for the future include upgrading the labor force, reducing unemployment, strengthening the banking and tourist sectors, and, in general, further widening the economic base beyond oil and gas. | The UAE has an open economy with a high per capita income and a sizable annual trade surplus. Its wealth is based on oil and gas output (about 33% of GDP), and the fortunes of the economy fluctuate with the prices of those commodities. Since 1973, the UAE has undergone a profound transformation from an impoverished region of small desert principalities to a modern state with a high standard of living. At present levels of production, oil and gas reserves should last for more than 100 years. Despite higher oil revenues in 1999-2000, the government has not drawn back from the economic reforms implemented during the 1998 oil price depression. The government has increased spending on job creation and infrastructure expansion and is opening up its utilities to greater private-sector involvement. |
| Electricity - consumption | 2.322 billion kWh (2001) | 34.131 billion kWh (1999) |
| Electricity - exports | 0 kWh (2001) | 0 kWh (1999) |
| Electricity - imports | 0 kWh (2001) | 0 kWh (1999) |
| Electricity - production | 2.497 billion kWh (2001) | 36.7 billion kWh (1999) |
| Electricity - production by source | fossil fuel: 100%
hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) |
fossil fuel:
100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1999) |
| Elevation extremes | lowest point: South China Sea 0 m
highest point: Bukit Pagon 1,850 m |
lowest point:
Persian Gulf 0 m highest point: Jabal Yibir 1,527 m |
| Environment - current issues | seasonal smoke/haze resulting from forest fires in Indonesia | lack of natural freshwater resources being overcome by desalination plants; desertification; beach pollution from oil spills |
| Environment - international agreements | party to: Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements |
party to:
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea |
| Ethnic groups | Malay 67%, Chinese 15%, indigenous 6%, other 12% | Emirati 19%, other Arab and Iranian 23%, South Asian 50%, other expatriates (includes Westerners and East Asians) 8% (1982)
note: less than 20% are UAE citizens (1982) |
| Exchange rates | Bruneian dollars per US dollar - 1.79 (2002), 1.79 (2001), 1.72 (2000), 1.69 (1999), 1.67 (1998) | Emirati dirhams per US dollar - central bank mid-point rate: 3.6725 (since 1998); 3.6711 (1997), 3.6710 (1995-96) |
| Executive branch | chief of state: Sultan and Prime Minister Sir HASSANAL Bolkiah (since 5 October 1967); note - the monarch is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government: Sultan and Prime Minister Sir HASSANAL Bolkiah (since 5 October 1967); note - the monarch is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Council of Cabinet Ministers appointed and presided over by the monarch; deals with executive matters; note - there is also a Religious Council (members appointed by the monarch) that advises on religious matters, a Privy Council (members appointed by the monarch) that deals with constitutional matters, and the Council of Succession (members appointed by the monarch) that determines the succession to the throne if the need arises elections: none; the monarch is hereditary |
chief of state:
President ZAYID bin Sultan Al Nuhayyan (since 2 December 1971), ruler of Abu Zaby (Abu Dhabi) (since 6 August 1966) and Vice President MAKTUM bin Rashid al-Maktum (since 8 October 1990), ruler of Dubayy (Dubai) head of government: Prime Minister MAKTUM bin Rashid al-Maktum (since 8 October 1990), ruler of Dubayy (Dubai); Deputy Prime Minister SULTAN bin Zayid Al Nuhayyan (since 20 November 1990) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president note: there is also a Federal Supreme Council (FSC) which is composed of the seven emirate rulers; the council is the highest constitutional authority in the UAE; establishes general policies and sanctions federal legislation, Abu Zaby (Abu Dhabi) and Dubayy (Dubai) rulers have effective veto power; meets four times a year elections: president and vice president elected by the FSC (a group of seven electors) for five-year terms; election last held NA October 1996 (next to be held NA October 2001); prime minister and deputy prime minister appointed by the president election results: ZAYID bin Sultan Al Nuhayyan reelected president; percent of FSC vote - NA, but believed to be unanimous; MAKTUM bin Rashid al-Maktum elected vice president; percent of FSC vote - NA%, but believed to be unanimous |
| Exports | NA (2001) | $46 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.) |
| Exports - commodities | crude oil, natural gas, refined products | crude oil 45%, natural gas, reexports, dried fish, dates |
| Exports - partners | Japan 40.3%, South Korea 12.3%, Thailand 12.1%, Australia 9.2%, US 8.1%, China 6.4%, Singapore 5.7% (2002) | Japan 30%, India 7%, Singapore 6%, South Korea 4%, Oman, Iran (1999) |
| Fiscal year | calendar year | calendar year |
| Flag description | yellow with two diagonal bands of white (top, almost double width) and black starting from the upper hoist side; the national emblem in red is superimposed at the center; the emblem includes a swallow-tailed flag on top of a winged column within an upturned crescent above a scroll and flanked by two upraised hands | three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and black with a thicker vertical red band on the hoist side |
| GDP | purchasing power parity - $6.5 billion (2002 est.) | purchasing power parity - $54 billion (2000 est.) |
| GDP - composition by sector | agriculture: 5%
industry: 45% services: 50% (2001 est.) |
agriculture:
3% industry: 52% services: 45% (1996 est.) |
| GDP - per capita | purchasing power parity - $18,600 (2002 est.) | purchasing power parity - $22,800 (2000 est.) |
| GDP - real growth rate | 3% (2002 est.) | 4% (2000 est.) |
| Geographic coordinates | 4 30 N, 114 40 E | 24 00 N, 54 00 E |
| Geography - note | close to vital sea lanes through South China Sea linking Indian and Pacific Oceans; two parts physically separated by Malaysia; almost an enclave of Malaysia | strategic location along southern approaches to Strait of Hormuz, a vital transit point for world crude oil |
| Heliports | 3 (2002) | 2 (2000 est.) |
| Highways | total: 2,525 km
paved: 2,525 km unpaved: 0 km (2000) |
total:
4,835 km paved: 4,835 km unpaved: 0 km (1998 est.) |
| Household income or consumption by percentage share | lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA% |
lowest 10%:
NA% highest 10%: NA% |
| Illicit drugs | drug trafficking and illegally importing controlled substances are serious offenses in Brunei and carry a mandatory death penalty | growing role as heroin transshipment and money-laundering center due to its proximity to southwest Asian producing countries and the bustling free trade zone in Dubai |
| Imports | NA (2001) | $34 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.) |
| Imports - commodities | machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food, chemicals | machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, food |
| Imports - partners | Singapore 30.6%, Japan 21.5%, Malaysia 17.4%, UK 6.1%, Hong Kong 4% (2002) | Japan 9%, US 8%, UK 8%, Italy 6%, Germany, South Korea (1999) |
| Independence | 1 January 1984 (from UK) | 2 December 1971 (from UK) |
| Industrial production growth rate | 5% (2002 est.) | 4% (2000) |
| Industries | petroleum, petroleum refining, liquefied natural gas, construction | petroleum, fishing, petrochemicals, construction materials, some boat building, handicrafts, pearling |
| Infant mortality rate | total: 13.5 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 17.09 deaths/1,000 live births female: 9.71 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) |
16.68 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) |
| Inflation rate (consumer prices) | -2% (2002 est.) | 4.5% (2000 est.) |
| International organization participation | APEC, ARF, ASEAN, C, ESCAP, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDB, IFRCS, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO | ABEDA, AFESD, AL, AMF, CAEU, CCC, ESCWA, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO |
| Internet Service Providers (ISPs) | 2 (2000) | 1 (2000) |
| Irrigated land | 10 sq km (1998 est.) | 50 sq km (1993 est.) |
| Judicial branch | Supreme Court (chief justice and judges are sworn in by the monarch for three-year terms) | Union Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the president) |
| Labor force | 143,400
note: includes foreign workers and military personnel; temporary residents make up about 40% of labor force (1999 est.) |
1.4 million (1998 est.)
note: 75% of the population in the 15-64 age group is non-national (July 1998 est.) |
| Labor force - by occupation | government 48%, production of oil, natural gas, services, and construction 42%, agriculture, forestry, and fishing 10% (1999 est.) | services 60%, industry 32%, agriculture 8% (1996 est.) |
| Land boundaries | total: 381 km
border countries: Malaysia 381 km |
total:
867 km border countries: Oman 410 km, Saudi Arabia 457 km |
| Land use | arable land: 0.57%
permanent crops: 0.76% other: 98.67% (1998 est.) |
arable land:
0% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 2% forests and woodland: 0% other: 98% (1993 est.) |
| Languages | Malay (official), English, Chinese | Arabic (official), Persian, English, Hindi, Urdu |
| Legal system | based on English common law; for Muslims, Islamic Shari'a law supersedes civil law in a number of areas | federal court system introduced in 1971; all emirates except Dubayy (Dubai) and Ra's al Khaymah have joined the federal system; all emirates have secular and Islamic law for civil, criminal, and high courts |
| Legislative branch | unicameral Legislative Council or Majlis Masyuarat Megeri (a privy council that serves only in a consultative capacity; NA seats; members appointed by the monarch)
elections: last held in March 1962 note: in 1970 the Council was changed to an appointive body by decree of the monarch; an elected Legislative Council is being considered as part of constitutional reform, but elections are unlikely for several years |
unicameral Federal National Council or Majlis al-Ittihad al-Watani (40 seats; members appointed by the rulers of the constituent states to serve two-year terms)
elections: none note: reviews legislation, but cannot change or veto |
| Life expectancy at birth | total population: 74.3 years
male: 71.9 years female: 76.82 years (2003 est.) |
total population:
74.29 years male: 71.84 years female: 76.86 years (2001 est.) |
| Literacy | definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 91.8% male: 94.8% female: 88.5% (2003 est.) |
definition:
age 15 and over can read and write total population: 79.2% male: 78.9% female: 79.8% (1995 est.) |
| Location | Southeastern Asia, bordering the South China Sea and Malaysia | Middle East, bordering the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf, between Oman and Saudi Arabia |
| Map references | Southeast Asia | Middle East |
| Maritime claims | exclusive economic zone: 200 NM or to median line
territorial sea: 12 NM |
contiguous zone:
24 NM continental shelf: 200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM |
| Merchant marine | total: 8 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 465,937 GRT/413,393 DWT
ships by type: liquefied gas 8 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: UK 7 (2002 est.) |
total:
70 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,094,256 GRT/1,421,333 DWT ships by type: cargo 16, chemical tanker 3, container 17, liquefied gas 1, livestock carrier 1, passenger 1, petroleum tanker 24, roll on/roll off 6, specialized tanker 1 (2000 est.) |
| Military branches | Land Forces, Navy, Air Force, Royal Brunei Police | Army, Navy, Air Force, Air Defense, paramilitary (includes Federal Police Force) |
| Military expenditures - dollar figure | $329.7 million (FY02) | $1.6 billion (FY00) |
| Military expenditures - percent of GDP | 5% (FY02) | 3.1% (FY00) |
| Military manpower - availability | males age 15-49: 110,888 (2003 est.) | males age 15-49:
778,842 note: includes non-nationals (2001 est.) |
| Military manpower - fit for military service | males age 15-49: 63,966 (2003 est.) | males age 15-49:
420,484 (2001 est.) |
| Military manpower - military age | 18 years of age (2003 est.) | 18 years of age |
| Military manpower - reaching military age annually | males: 3,277 (2003 est.) | males:
25,482 (2001 est.) |
| National holiday | National Day, 23 February (1984); note - 1 January 1984 was the date of independence from the UK, 23 February 1984 was the date of independence from British protection | Independence Day, 2 December (1971) |
| Nationality | noun: Bruneian(s)
adjective: Bruneian |
noun:
Emirati(s) adjective: Emirati |
| Natural hazards | typhoons, earthquakes, and severe flooding are rare | frequent sand and dust storms |
| Natural resources | petroleum, natural gas, timber | petroleum, natural gas |
| Net migration rate | 3.75 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) | 1.61 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) |
| Pipelines | gas 665 km; oil 439 km (2003) | crude oil 830 km; natural gas, including natural gas liquids, 870 km |
| Political parties and leaders | Brunei Solidarity National Party or PPKB in Malay [Haji Mohd HATTA bin Haji Zainal Abidin, president]; note - the PPKB is the only legal political party in Brunei; it was registered in 1985 but became largely inactive after 1988; it was revived in 1995 and again in 1998; it has less than 200 registered party members; other parties include Brunei People's Party or PRB (banned in 1962) and Brunei National Democratic Party (registered in May 1965, deregistered by the Brunei Government in 1988) | none |
| Political pressure groups and leaders | NA | NA |
| Population | 358,098 (July 2003 est.) | 2,407,460
note: includes 1,576,472 non-nationals (July 2001 est.) |
| Population below poverty line | NA% | NA% |
| Population growth rate | 2% (2003 est.) | 1.59% (2001 est.) |
| Ports and harbors | Bandar Seri Begawan, Kuala Belait, Muara, Seria, Tutong | 'Ajman, Al Fujayrah, Das Island, Khawr Fakkan, Mina' Jabal 'Ali, Mina' Khalid, Mina' Rashid, Mina' Saqr, Mina' Zayid, Umm al Qaywayn |
| Radio broadcast stations | AM 3, FM 10, shortwave 0 (1998) | AM 13, FM 7, shortwave 2 (1998) |
| Radios | - | 820,000 (1997) |
| Railways | total: 13 km (private line)
narrow gauge: 13 km 0.610-m gauge (2001 est.) |
0 km |
| Religions | Muslim (official) 67%, Buddhist 13%, Christian 10%, indigenous beliefs and other 10% | Muslim 96% (Shi'a 16%), Christian, Hindu, and other 4% |
| Sex ratio | at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.13 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/female total population: 1.1 male(s)/female (2003 est.) |
at birth:
1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.73 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 2.36 male(s)/female total population: 1.5 male(s)/female (2001 est.) |
| Suffrage | none | none |
| Telephone system | general assessment: service throughout the country is excellent; international service is good to East Asia, Europe, and the US
domestic: every service available international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Pacific Ocean); digital submarine cable links to Malaysia, the Philippines, and Singapore (2001) |
general assessment:
modern system consisting of microwave radio relay and coaxial cable; key centers are Abu Dhabi and Dubai domestic: microwave radio relay and coaxial cable international: satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean) and 1 Arabsat; submarine cables to Qatar, Bahrain, India, and Pakistan; tropospheric scatter to Bahrain; microwave radio relay to Saudi Arabia |
| Telephones - main lines in use | 79,000 (1996) | 915,223 (1998) |
| Telephones - mobile cellular | 43,524 (1996) | 1 million (1999) |
| Television broadcast stations | 2 (1997) | 15 (1997) |
| Terrain | flat coastal plain rises to mountains in east; hilly lowland in west | flat, barren coastal plain merging into rolling sand dunes of vast desert wasteland; mountains in east |
| Total fertility rate | 2.37 children born/woman (2003 est.) | 3.23 children born/woman (2001 est.) |
| Unemployment rate | 10% (2001 est.) | NA% |
| Waterways | 209 km; navigable by craft drawing less than 1.2 m | none |
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