When Brunei became a British protectorate in 1906, diagonal stripes were added to its yellow flag. The yellow stood for the sultan, while white and black were for his two chief ministers. Introduced in September 1959, the coat of arms has a parasol as a symbol of royalty and a crescent and inscription for the state religion, Islam.

Brunei Official name: Negara Brunei Darussalam (State of Brunei, Abode of Peace). Form of government: monarchy (sultanate). Head of state and government: Sultan. Population (1998): 315,000. Population projection: (2000) 331,000; (2010) 410,000. Natural increase rate per 1,000 population (1997): 20.3 (world avg. 15.7). Gross national product (at current market prices; 1996): U.S.$7,546,000,000 (U.S.$25,160 per capita). Land use (1994): forested 85.4%; meadows and pastures 1.1%; agricultural and under permanent cultivation 1.3%; other 12.2%.