Sunday, October 28, 2007

Bandar Seri Begawan
Bandar Seri Begawan, (Malay: Bandar Seri Begawan, Jawi: بندر سري بگاوان ) estimated population 46,229 (1991), is the capital of the Sultanate of Brunei. The city is the home of producers of furniture, textiles, handicrafts, and timber.
This city is also unique in that it also 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.

Bandar Seri Begawan Geography
The climate of Bandar Seri Begawan is tropical with hot and wet throughout the year.

Climate

Transportation
Bandar Seri Begawan, being the capital of Brunei, is connected to all parts of the country by the road network.

Land
Brunei International Airport, the only international airport, serves not only Bandar Seri Begawan but also the whole of Brunei. It is located around 11 km from the town centre and can be reached in 10 minutes via the Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Highway.

Air
A water taxi service known locally as 'penambang' is available for transportation between downtown Bandar Seri Begawan to Kampong Ayer. In addition to that a speedboat is also available for passengers travelling to and from Bangar and Limbang.

Water
Bandar Seri Begawan is the site of 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 giant golden dome and a luxurious interior of Italian marble walls, carpeting and an elevator. It also has opulent underground tunnels, which are used by the sultan on private journeys through the town.

Education

Anthony Burgess's Brunei novel Devil of a State is set in Bandar Seri Begawan. The construction of the Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque is a major theme in the book.
Matt Harding, from the Internet phenomenon "Where the Hell is Matt?," danced in Bandar Seri Begawan for his second travel video, seen here at [2].

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