Brunei

Brunei is a small —but veryrich,sovereign statelocated on the north coast of the island ofBorneoinSoutheast Asia. Strategically located on the South China Sea, close to vital sea lanes linking Indian and Pacific Oceans, it has an exclusive economic fishing zone that extends as far as Louisa Reef in the southernSpratly Islandsalthough it makes no public territorial claim to the offshore reefs.It's known for its beaches and biodiverse rainforest, much of it protected within reserves.

The citizens of the lovely capital,Bandar Seri Begawan, are wildfor food and shopping.Here, spectacular mosques contrast with the charmingly haphazard water village, while the nearby mangrove forest is home to proboscis monkeys and crocs.