Negara Brunei Darussalam (The State of Brunei), a member of the British Commonwealth is located on the northwest coast of the island of Borneo, has as area of 2,226 sq. mi. (5,765 sq. km.) and a population of 326,000. Capital: Bandar Seri Begawan. Crude oil and rubber are exported. ,Magellan was the first European to visit Brunei in 1521. It was a powerful state, ruling over Northern Borneo in 1521. It was a powerful state, ruling over Northern Borneo and adjacent islands from the 16th to the 19th century. Brunei became a British protectorate in 1888 and a British dependency in 1905. The Constitution of 1959 restored control over internal affairs to the sultan, while delegating responsibility for defense and foreign affairs to Britain.,, ,On January 1, 1984, Brunei became a fully independent member of the Commonwealth.,, Rulers:,,, ,Sultan Sir Omar Ali Saifuddin III, 1950-1967,, ,Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah I, 1967-,, Monetary System:,,, ,1 Dollar = 100 Sen to 1967,, ,1 Ringgit (Dollar) = 100 Sen, 1967-,,