black community in New York state. He
had always opposed slavery, but in the
1850s he became more determined to
take action against the practice.
In 1855 Brown found his way to the
Kansas Territory, where groups of settlers
were fighting battles over the issue of
slavery. On May 24, 1856, he and his
supporters killed five men at a proslavery
settlement in Pottawatomie Creek.
Brown’s last raid came on October 16,
1859. He and an armed band attacked a
federal arsenal, or weapons storehouse,
in Harpers Ferry, Virginia (nowWest
Virginia). He hoped that thousands of
slaves would rise in rebellion and follow
him to a new mountain stronghold.
This did not happen, and after two days
he was captured by U.S. troops. Brown
was tried and hanged at Charlestown,
Virginia, on December 2, 1859.
#More to explore
Abolitionist Movement
John Brown
In 1985–86
Gwendolyn
Brooks was
the Library of
Congress consultant
in
poetry. This is
the top honor
for a U.S.
poet.
136 Brown, John BRITANNICA STUDENT ENCYCLOPEDIA
Brunei
The country of Brunei is a small Islamic
sultanate, or kingdom. It lies on the
northwestern coast of the island of
Borneo, also shared by Malaysia and
Indonesia. Large oil and gas reserves
make Brunei one of the wealthiest
nations in Southeast Asia. The capital
and largest city is Bandar Seri Begawan.
The South China Sea and Sarawak, a
state of Malaysia, surround Brunei.
Sarawak divides Brunei into two separate
parts. Coral sand beaches line the
coast. The rest of the country is hilly.
The climate is hot and wet. Seasonal
winds called monsoons bring heavy rain.
Rain forests cover the land.Wildlife
includes lions, tigers, monkeys, birds,
insects, snakes, and lizards.
About two thirds of the population is
Malay. About one tenth is Chinese.
Other native peoples and Asians make
up most of the rest. The main language
is Malay, but many speak Chinese or
English. About two thirds of the population
is Muslim.
The country’s economy depends on its
large reserves of oil and natural gas. Very
little manufacturing exists, aside from
petroleum products. Most people work
in services or construction.
In the early 1400s Brunei became an
independent kingdom. By the 1500s
Brunei controlled almost all of Borneo.
In the 1800s Great Britain took control
of Brunei. In 1959 Brunei gained partial
self-government.
During the 1970s the sultan, or king,
used the gas and oil profits to improve
people’s lives. Health care and education
are still free to all citizens. Brunei became
fully independent in 1984.
..More to explore
A young boy attends school in Brunei. Bandar Seri Begawan • Islam
Facts About
BRUNEI
Population
(2008 estimate)
400,000
Area
2,226 sq mi
(5,765 sq km)
Capital
Bandar Seri
Begawan
Form of
government
Monarchy
Major cities
Bandar Seri
Begawan, Kuala
Belait, Seria
BRITANNICA STUDENT ENCYCLOPEDIA Brunei 137
Brussels
Population
(2007
estimate), city,
145,917;
Brussels-Capital
Region,
1,809,242
Brussels is the capital of Belgium, a
country in northwestern Europe. Brussels
and its surrounding towns make up
the largest metropolitan area in Belgium.
The area is one of the country’s three
regions, called the Brussels-Capital
Region.
Many people come to Brussels to visit
the city’s museums, parks, and public
squares. Others come to work in the
government offices. The government is
the largest employer in the city. Factories
in Brussels process foods and make
cloth, machines, electrical products, and
chemicals. The city has long been
famous for its lace, carpets, furniture,
and art products.
Brussels is also important as a center of
European government and trade. The
city is the headquarters of two major
international organizations—the European
Union and the North Atlantic
Treaty Organization (NATO).
Brussels was settled in the 500s. It developed
around a castle on an island in the
Senne River. The city had many different
rulers over the years. In the 1100s it
began to grow as a center of the cloth
trade. In the 1400s Brussels became a
leading city in an area known for its art
and culture. The Spanish and Austrian
empires later ruled the area for about
200 years.
Belgium became part of The Netherlands
in 1815. Brussels then shared the
status of capital with The Hague. In
1830 Brussels was the main site of a
revolt against The Netherlands. Belgium
then became an independent country
with Brussels as its capital.
..More to explore
Belgium • European Union • North
Atlantic Treaty Organization
Buchanan, James
The 15th president of the United States,
James Buchanan failed to solve the slavery
crisis of the 1850s and 1860s. He
tried to make a compromise between the
North and the South but could not prevent
the American CivilWar.
At the heart of Brussels is the Grand Place.
It is a public square that began as a marketplace
hundreds of years ago.
138 Brussels BRITANNICA STUDENT ENCYCLOPEDIA
Early Life
James Buchanan was born on April 23,
1791, near Mercersburg, Pennsylvania.
His father was a successful storekeeper
and landowner. In 1809 Buchanan
graduated from Dickinson College in
Carlisle, Pennsylvania. He then studied
law and became a lawyer in 1812.
Buchanan never married.
Political Career
