Bandar Seri Begawan
| Bandar Seri Begawan بندر سري بگاوان |
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| Nickname(s): Ancient city or BSB | |||
| Coordinates: | |||
| Country |  Brunei |
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| Area | |||
| - City | 100.36 km² (38.7 sq mi) | ||
| Population (2002) | |||
| - City | 27,285 | ||
| - Density | 272/km² (704.5/sq mi) | ||
| - Urban | 74,700 | ||
| Time zone | (UTC+8) | ||
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| Website: http://www.municipal-bsb.gov.bn/ | |||
Bandar Seri Begawan, (Malay: Bandar Seri Begawan, Jawi: بندر سري بگاوان ) estimated population 27,285 (as of 2002)[1], is the capital and largest city of the Sultanate of Brunei.
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History
Habitation on the banks of the Brunei River can be traced back to the 7th century where there had been settlements similar to those in Kampong Ayer, located on areas close to the present site of the Brunei Museum.
Seri Begawan was named after the Sultan's late father Sir Omar Ali Saifuddien on October 5 1970, its original name being Bandar Brunei. Begawan is a name given to Bruneian monarchs who have abdicated, originally coming from the Sanskrit word for "god"). Bandar, comes from Persian بندر and means "port" or "haven" (bandar means "town" in Malay).
On August 1st, 2007, The Sultan of Brunei gave consent for the extension of Bandar Seri Begawan from 12.87 square kilometres to 100.36 square kilometres. For a list of the included villages and mukims see "Expansion of the City" below.
Economy
The city produces furniture, textiles, handicrafts, and timber.
Geography
Bandar Seri Begawan is located at 4.890338°N, 114.942457°E, on the northern bank of the Brunei River with the downtown part precisely on the confluence of the Brunei River. The population of the city is 27,285 and the population of the metropolitan area is 74,700 people[1].
Climate
The climate of Bandar Seri Begawan ranges from equatorial to sub-tropical (14-32 degrees Celsius). The hot and humid dry season runs from April to mid September. There is cool, humid and changeable weather from September to March (13-26 degrees Celsius). Hail occurs from December to February when the weather is pleasantly cool and dry. Rainfall is mostly high, especially in October. Dry season is known as 'Summer Monsoon' and Wet season is also known as 'Spring Monsoon'. The temperature in the Dry season is 24-32 degrees, the temperature can easily soar to 34,35 or above in August and July. The temperature in Wet season 14-26 and the weather is cool and cloudy. The coolest months is December to April. The greatest temperature range in Bandar Seri Begawan that ever recorded in January was 12 to 33 degrees Celsius and the highest maximum was in August at 38 degrees Celsius.
People
The majority of Bruneians are ethnic Malays with Chinese being the most significant minority group. Aboriginal groups such as the Iban also exist and are loosely classified as Malays. Large numbers of transitory workers are to be found within Brunei, the majority being from Indonesia, The Philippines and the Indian Subcontinent
Land
The capital is connected to the western part of the country by road. To get to the eastern part of Brunei (Temburong) it is necessary to travel through Sarawak which is in Malaysia, via the town of Limbang which is accessed by the Kuala Lurah land terminal. To get to Bandar Seri Begawan from the west, access is via Miri town in Sarawak via the Sungai Tujuh land terminal and then along the coastal highway.
Air
Brunei International Airport, the international airport, serves the whole country. It is 11 km from the town centre and can be reached in 10 minutes via the Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Highway.
Water
A water taxi service known 'penambang' is used for transportation between downtown Bandar Seri Begawan to Kampong Ayer. A speedboat is used for passengers travelling to and from Bangar and Limbang.
Places of interest
Places of interest include the Royal Ceremonial Hall or Lapau, Royal Regalia Building, the Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque, the Malay Technology Museum, and the Brunei History Center.
The Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque, built in 1958, features a golden dome and an interior of Italian marble walls, carpeting and an elevator. It also has tunnels, which are used by the Sultan on journeys through the town.
The city incorporates a nearby water village, Kampung Ayer, which has houses on stilts and stretches out into the sea for about 500 meters (1,640 ft). The Malay Technology Museum contains exhibits about water village architecture.
Expansion of the city
The expanded Bandar Seri Begawan will encompass more villages and mukims. They are: Mukim Kianggeh including kg Kianggeh, Berangan, Jalan Tasek Lama, Mabohai/Tungkadeh, Melabau, Kumbang Pasang, Padang Baru, Pusar Ulak and Tumasek; Mukim Gadong including Kiulap, Kiarong, Menglait, Batu Bersurat/ Pengkalan Gadong, Mata Mata (which does not include Perpindahan Mata-Mata or Mata-Mata housing scheme) and Beribi; Mukim Kilanas including Madewa, Tasek Meradun, Bunut and Perpindahan Bunut; Mukim Berakas 'A' including Pulaie, Anggerek Desa, Pancha Delima, Orang Kaya Besar Imas, Delima Satu, Serusop, Jaya Setia, Jaya Bakti and Burong Pinggai Berakas; Mukim Berakas 'B' including Manggis I, Manggis II, Madang, Sungai Akar and the area of the Berakas International Airport; Mukim Kota Batu including Sungai Lampai/Pintu Malim, Kota Batu, Pelambayan, Subok and Belimbing.
Also, areas in kg Ayer will also come inside the Bandar Seri Begawan expansion. They are: Mukim Sungai Kedayan including Bukit Salat, Sumbiling Lama, Sungai Kedayan 'A', Sungai Kedayan 'B', Ujong Tanjong and Kuala Peminyak; Mukim Tamoi including Tamoi Ujong, Tamoi Tengah, Pengiran Kerma Indera Lama, Pengiran Tajuddin Hitam, Ujong Bukit/Limbongan, Pengiran Bendahara Lama; Mukim Burong Pingai Ayer including Burong Pingai Ayer, Lurong Dalam, Pandai Besi 'A', Pandai Besi 'B', Sungai Pandan 'A', Sungai Pandan 'B', and Pengiran Setia Negara, Pekan Lama; Mukim Peramu including Peramu, Pekilong Muara, Bakut Pengiran Siraja Muda ' A', Bakut Pengiran Siraja Muda 'B', Bakut Berumput and Lurong Sikuna; Mukim Saba including Saba Tengah, Saba Ujong, Saba Laut, Saba Darat 'A' and Saba Darat 'B'. Mukim Sungai Kebun including Setia 'A', Sungai Siamas/Ujong Klinik, Setia 'B' Sungai Kebun, Bolkiah 'A' and Bolkiah 'B'.[2]
Education
All levels of education are available in Bandar Seri Begawan from kindergarten to tertiary level. Schools in the capital include St. George's School, St. Andrew's School, International School, Brunei (ISB), Chung Hwa Middle School, Jerudong International School, Kolej Universiti Perguruan Ugama Seri Begawan and Institut Tahfiz Al Quran Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah (ITQSHHB).
References
External links
- Bandar Seri Begawan is at coordinates
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