Brunei, small in both area and population size, is an independent sultanate on the northwest coast of the island of Borneo in the South China Sea, bounded on the north by the South China Sea and wedged between the Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak. This wealthy, oil-rich country is known locally as Negara Brunei Darussalam (Arabic for "Abode of Peace") and its large reserves of oil and gas mean its people enjoy high subsidies and pay no taxes, having one of the highest per capita GDPs in Asia and one of the highest standards of living in the world. Despite Brunei’s immense wealth, most of the country outside the capital remains undeveloped and unexploited. Due to dwindling oil and gas reserves, Brunei is attempting to diversify its economy, marketing itself as a financial centre and a destination for upmarket and eco-tourism.

Brunei has a predominantly Malay Muslim population with a substantial Chinese minority, many of whom are classified as non-citizens or stateless persons. Consequently, the official language is Malay, but English is widely understood and used in business. Other languages spoken include several Chinese dialects, Iban and a number of native dialects. Islam is the official religion, with non-Islamic faiths permitted to be practiced, but facing a variety of restrictions.

Brunei's media are neither diverse nor free. The private press is either owned or controlled by the royal family, or exercises self-censorship on political and religious matters. The only local broadcast media are operated by government-controlled Radio Television Brunei. Foreign TV is available via cable and internet access is said to be unrestricted.