This tiny oil-rich Islamic sultanate lying on the northwest coast of Borneo is known chiefly for the astounding wealth of its Sultan, its tax-free, subsidised society, and the fact that (statistically at least) its population enjoy one of the highest per capita incomes on earth.

Despite the ostentatious modern public buildings in the capital, most of the country remains undeveloped and untouched by the outside world. Alcohol is virtually unobtainable, there's no nightlife to speak of, and the political culture encourages quiet acquiescence to the edicts of the sultan.

Full country name: Negara Brunei Darussalam
Area: 5,765 sq km
Population: 322,000
People: 69% Malays, 18% Chinese, 7% indigenous tribes (plus 20,000 expatriate workers)
Language: Malay, English, Chinese
Religion: 65% Muslim, 15% Buddhist, 10% Christian
Government: constitutional sultanate
Head of State: Sultan Sultan Sir Hassanal Bolkiah
 

GDP: US$4.5 billion
GDP per capita: US$14,240
Annual Growth: 5%
Inflation: 2%
Major Industries: Oil and gas
Major Trading Partners: ASEAN, Japan, Taiwan, S.Korea, USA