Brunei explained to kids

The Sultanate of Brunei, officially the Nation of Brunei, the Abode of Peace, is a sovereign state located on the north coast of the island of Borneo in Southeast Asia.Apart from its coastline with the South China Sea, the country is completely surrounded by the Malaysian state of Sarawak. It is separated into two parts by the Sarawak district of Limbang. Brunei is the only sovereign state completely on the island of Borneo; the remainder of the island's territory is divided between the nations of Malaysia and Indonesia. Brunei's population was 423,196 in 2016. Brunei's government is an absolute monarchy under the Sultan, which implements a combination of English common law and sharia law, as well as direct Malay customary law. Sharia law only applies to Muslims, who make up about two-thirds of the population. The Sultan is the head of state and head of government. Executive power is exercised by the Cabinet, while legislative power is vested in the Legislative Council. The Sultan has declared Brunei a "Malay Muslim Monarchy". The earliest recorded history of Brunei is from Chinese sources, which described Brunei as a vassal state of the Chinese empire. It was also mentioned in the 13th-century Malay text, Sulalat al-Salatin. Brunei became a sultanate in the 14th century. Brunei's sultanate was run according to the Malay adat (customs), with the Sultan as the head of state. The country has frequently been involved in the territorial disputes of its larger neighbors, Malaysia and Indonesia. Brunei is located on the north coast of the island of Borneo, in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by the Malaysian state of Sarawak to the west and north, and by the Indonesian province of Kalimantan to the south. Brunei has an area of 5,765 km2 (2,226 sq mi), and a coastline of 161 km (100 mi). The capital, Bandar Seri Begawan, is located on the Brunei River in the north of the country. The climate is tropical equatorial, with two distinct seasons: a hot, rainy season from November to April, and a cooler, dry season from May to October. Brunei is divided into four districts: Brunei-Muara, Tutong, Belait, and Temburong. The economy of Brunei is small and heavily dependent on oil and gas production. Brunei is the fourth-largest producer of crude oil in Southeast Asia, and the second-largest producer of liquefied natural gas. The government of Brunei has been investing in the development of other industries, such as tourism and Islamic banking, in an attempt to diversify the economy. The country is a member of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. Brunei has observer status in the World Trade Organization.