The ISD code for Brunei is 673. Telephone numbers in Brunei have seven digits and the first digit indicates the area. For instance, the digit 2 defines the area Bandar Seri Begawan and the digit 3 corresponds to Belait District. There are no local codes in Brunei.

The mobile server of Brunei Darussalam, DSTCom, supports AMPS and GSM systems. Tourists owning GSM mobiles can use the same instruments only if there is an agreement to that effect between their country and Brunei. In the absence of such an agreement, they are required to register with and buy a sim card from DSTCom.

Post offices in Brunei work between 7.45 am and 4.30 pm from Monday to Thursday. On Friday, they work only in the morning, between 8.00 am and 11.00 am. On Sunday, post offices work only in the afternoon, between 2.00 pm and 4.00 pm.

BruNet, Brunei Darussalam's Internet server, operates through the fiber optic cable links with Singapore and provides internet connectivity throughout Brunei.

BND or the Brunei Dollar is the currency of Brunei Darussalam and is pegged to the Singapore Dollar. Both the Singapore Dollar and the BND can be used in this country. US$1 = BND 1.65. To view the current Brunei Dollar exchange rate, click on this link to OANDA.com - The Currency Site.

Notes are available in the denominations of $1000, $500, $100, $50, $10, $5 and $1. Coins are minted in denominations of 50 cents, 20 cents, 10 cents, 5 cents, and 1 cent.

Banks in Brunei Darussalam exchange traveller's cheques and currency. They also offer ATM facilities. Banking hours are from 9.00 am to 4.00 pm on weekdays. On Saturdays, banks work between 9.00 am and 11.00 am.

220/240 volts AC 50Hz. Plugs are either round or square three-pin.

To view a list of Brunei embassies around the world, as well as foreign embassies within Brunei, click on this link to EmbassyWorld.com.

Brunei is a tiny Southeast Asian coastal country located in the northwest edge of the Island of Borneo, about 277 miles (443 kilometres) above the equator. It lies both in the Northern and the Eastern hemispheres. Malaysia (Sarawak) divides Brunei into two and therefore surrounds it on all its landward sides. It is bound on the remaining side by the South China Sea. To view a map of Brunei, click on this link to WorldAtlas.com.

Brunei has dense equatorial forests, with rivers cutting through them. About 70 % of the land area in Brunei Darussalam is covered by virgin rainforests, which sustain a wealth of flora and fauna, many of which are found only here. A major portion of these rainforests is concentrated in and around the Temburong District. Most human activity is confined to the estuaries or coastal areas. There are beaches with adequate facilities at Muara and Kuala Belait. Lumut Beach, close to Tutong, is another good beach.

You are advised to take full medical and travel insurance cover before embarking on a visit to Brunei. Do go through the fine print and ensure that the insurance covers all the activities that you are likely to undertake.

Arabic and Chinese records trace the origin of Brunei to an ancient eighth century trading kingdom called Po-Ni, which was located at the mouth of the Brunei River. This kingdom was conquered in the ninth century by Srivijaya of the Sumatran Empire, who later controlled the Philippines and the northern part of Borneo. The region was conquered briefly by the Majapahit Empire of Java, but regained independence soon after.

The official language of Brunei is Bahasa Melayu, but English is also widely understood and spoken by a majority of its citizens.

Brunei is a country with a warm tropical climate and abundant natural beauty. It is a nation with a rich cultural heritage and history. All this is amply reflected in the people of Brunei, who are warm, gracious and hospitable. Brunei is a fine blend of the traditional and the contemporary, and offers many unique attractions.

Follow the link to view a current list of public holidays in Brunei during 2010.

Brunei is predominantly a Muslim country and its laws reinforce this. It is therefore necessary at all times, and especially during the holy month of Ramzan, to respect the local laws, conventions and traditions and not offend people's sensibilities. Take care to dress modestly, especially when visiting areas of religious significance.

Two-thirds of Brunei's population is Malay and its culture is largely influenced by them. The rest of the population is made up of indigenous Malays, Indians and Chinese. Brunei is also home to a sizeable number of foreign workers. There are domestic workers from Philippines and Indonesia; British and American professionals in education and industry; and labourers from Bangladesh, India, Indonesia and Thailand.

Visitors to Brunei must have a passport that is valid for at least six months from the date of entry.

Tourists from the following countries can visit Brunei without a visa for a period of 14 days to 30 days: Vietnam, USA, UAE, United Kingdom, Liechtenstein, Thailand, South Korea, Slovakia, Singapore, Slovenia, Switzerland, Sweden, Spain, Portugal, Philippines, Poland, Peru, Oman, Norway, New Zealand, Netherlands, Malta, Maldives, Malaysia, Luxembourg, Lithuania, Laos, Latvia, Japan, Italy, Indonesia, Hungary, Greece, Germany, France, Finland, Estonia, Denmark, Czech Republic, Cyprus, Canada, Belgium and Austria. Visitors who intend to stay longer or for purposes other than tourism must procure a visa from the closest Brunei Embassy prior to travel.

Citizens of the following countries are issued a visa on arrival, for a period not exceeding 14 days, when they enter Brunei: Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Australia. If they intend to stay longer, then procuring a visa prior to entry is necessary.

Citizens of all other countries must possess a visa from any of the diplomatic missions of Brunei abroad.

Ensure that the entry stamp on the passport carries the duration of stay. Overstaying the permitted period attracts penalties.

Single parents and adults accompanying children may need to furnish documents validating their responsibility over the children before they are allowed to enter or leave. These may be in the form of a consent letter from the other parent, birth certificate or other proof of responsibility for the ward or child.