Belait

Belait is the largest district of Brunei by area, located in the western part of the country along Brunei Bay. It is named after the Belait River, which flows through the district from inland toward the coast. The district is bordered by the Tutong District to the east, by the Malaysian state of Sarawak to the west, and by the Brunei Bay to the north.

The administrative center of Belait is the town of Kuala Belait, which serves as the district capital. Seria, a coastal town near the bay, is another major population center within the district. Belait is subdivided into administrative divisions known as mukims, with Kuala Belait and Seria among the principal urban areas that host government offices and services.

Historically, Belait became closely associated with Brunei’s oil and gas industry. The Seria oil field, discovered in the early 20th century and developed in the 1920s and 1930s, helped spur rapid economic and infrastructural development in the district. Today, the district remains a core area for Brunei’s petroleum sector, with operations and related industries concentrated in Seria and Kuala Belait.

Geographically, Belait encompasses riverine lowlands, coastal mangroves, and inland forested areas. The population is diverse, including ethnic Malays, Chinese, and various indigenous groups, with Malay as the predominant language and English commonly used in business and education.

Economically and administratively, Belait plays a central role in Brunei’s oil-dependent economy and acts as a regional hub for western Brunei. The district offers coastal access, riverine routes, and serves as a gateway to other parts of Brunei and neighboring Sarawak.