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Singapore is an island country off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula located
approximately 137 kilometers north of the equator, in the Southeast Asian region
of the Asian continent. It comprises the main island of Singapore and some 63 offshore
islands. The main island has a total land area of 682 square km.
History
The first records of settlement in Singapore are from the 2nd century AD under the
rule of Emperor Sumatran Srivijaya and originally had the Javanese name Temasek
('sea town'). Between the 16th and early 19th centuries, Singapore was part of the
Sultanate of Johor. In 1613, Portuguese raiders burnt down the settlement at the
mouth of Singapore River and the island sank into obscurity for the next two centuries.
The British entered Singapore in 1819 to develop the southern part of Singapore
as a British trading post and settlement. It officially became a British colony
in August 1824 by a treaty signed by the British East India Company and Malay Sultan
who was controlling the Island Territory.
Singapore declared independence from Britain unilaterally in August 1963 and officially
gained sovereignty on 9th August 1965.
Economy
Singapore has a highly developed market-based economy. Along with Hong Kong, South
Korea and Taiwan, Singapore is one of the Four Asian Tigers. The economy depends
heavily on exports and refining imported goods, especially in manufacturing and
includes significant electronics, petroleum refining, chemicals, mechanical engineering
and biomedical sciences sectors.
Singapore has one of the busiest ports in the world and is the world's fourth largest
foreign exchange trading centre after London, New York and Tokyo. The World Bank
ranks Singapore as the world's top logistics hub.
Singapore's economy has been ranked amongst the world's ten most open, competitive
and innovative. Rated as the most business-friendly economy in the world, Singapore
is a hub of many Multinational companies.
Climate
Singapore has a tropical rainforest climate with no distinctive seasons, uniform
temperature and pressure, high humidity, and abundant rainfall. Temperatures range
from 22 to 34 °C (71.6 to 93.2 °F).
May and June are the hottest months, while November and December make up the wetter
monsoon season. However, there is rainfall throughout the year. From August to October,
there is often haze, sometimes severe enough to prompt public health warnings, due
to bush fires in neighbouring Indonesia.
Culture
Due to its diverse population and immigrant background, Singaporean culture has
often been described as a mix of cultures – British, Malay, Chinese, Indian and
Peranakan. Foreigners also make up 42% of the population in Singapore and they play
an important role in influencing Singaporean culture.
Food
Singaporean cuisine is an example of the country's diversity and cultural diffusion;
with significant influences from British, Chinese, Indian, Malay, Tamil cuisine,
and Indonesian cuisine. Typical Singaporean food includes the satay, nasi lemak,
fish and chips and the famed Hainanese chicken rice.
While there are fancy restaurants offering every kind of cuisine, there are also
fast food chains, hawker centers where you can have a very satisfying meal for a
few dollars. You can have Chinese noodles, with an Indian curry & a Malay side dish
followed by a French dessert.
Public Holidays
- New Year’s Day – January 1st
- Chinese New Year – 1st and 2nd days of Chinese calendar
- Good Friday – varies every year
- Labour Day – May 1st
- Vesak Day (Birth of Buddha) – varies every year
- National Day – August 9th (Singapore Independence Day)
- Hari Raya Puasa (End of Ramadan month) – varies every year
- Deepavali (Hindu Holiday) – varies every year
- Hari Raya Haji (Feast of the Sacrifice) – varies every year
- Christmas Day – December 25th
Time Zones
Singapore Standard Time (SST) – 2:30 hours plus IST
* IST – Indian Standard Time
Facts
- Full name: Republic of Singapore
- Population: 49,87,600 (2009 estimates)
- Capital: Singapore
- Area: 710.2 sq km
- Official languages: English, Malay, Mandarin Chinese, Tamil
- Major religion: Buddhism
- Life expectancy: 78 years (men), 82 years (women)
- Monetary unit: 1 Singapore dollar SGD)
- Main exports: machinery and equipment, electronics, consumer goods,
pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and mineral fuels
- GNI per capita: $47,940 (World Bank, 2008)
- Internet domain: .sg
- International dialing code: +65
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