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Singapore Location:
Physical. Singapore is located in Southeastern Asia between Malaysia and Indonesia. It covers an area slightly more than 3.5 times the size of Washington, DC. Singapore has a tropical climate with hot, humid, and rainy weather. It has a northeastern monsoon from December to March, and a southwestern monsoon from June to September. There are frequent thunderstorms and showers in the evening between monsoons. Lowlands cover much of the terrain in the country with a gently undulating central plateau. Some natural resources include fish and deepwater ports.
Singapore Geography:
Geography
Area: 250
Capital: Singapore (pop 4,108,000)
Environmental concerns: industrial pollution; limited natural fresh water resources; waste disposal; seasonal smoke/haze from forest fires in Indonesia
Geographical features: lowland; gently undulating central plateau contains water catchment area and nature preserve
Climate: tropical; hot, humid, rainy; two distinct monsoon seasons—northeastern monsoon (December to March) and southwestern monsoon (June to September); inter-monsoon—frequent afternoon and early evening thunderstorms
Singapore People:
People. Singapore is home to over 4.6 million people. Inhabitants recognize Chinese, Malay, Tamil, and English as official languages. The country is populated by Chinese (77%), Malay (15%), Indian (8%), and other ethnic groups (1%). Buddhism is the primary religion for the Chinese and Islam is practiced by the Malays. There are also Christians, Hindus, Sikhs, Taoists, and Confucians.
4,353,893 people; Chinese (77%); Malay (14%); Indian (8%)
Annual growth rate: 1.71%
Major language: Chinese; Malay; Tamil; English
Religions: Buddhist and Taoist (42%); Muslim (16%); Christian (18%); Hindu (5%)
Singapore Government:
Government. First Prime Minister Lee Kuan and his PAP party maintained control of the government for 25 years and even now, Lee continues his role as senior minister with his personal preference being appointed prime minister to succeed him. Current Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong announced that he will step down in 2007 and will be succeeded by Lee’s son, Lee Hsin Loong. In 2001, Lee’s PAP won all but 2 seats in Parliament and garnered 75% of the popular vote. Singapore maintains a firm hand on its citizens, leveling fines as high as $250 for dropping a candy wrapper on the streets and the death penalty for anyone convicted of suing a gun. Singapore is a parliamentary republic that gained its independence from the Malaysian Federation on August 9, 1965
President Sellapan Rama is the head of state
5 major political parties
Suffrage: universal and compulsory at 21
Singapore Communication:
Communication and transportation
1,896,100 main telephone lines (2004)
2,310,000 Internet users (2002)
1,936 miles of highway
23 miles of railroads
9 airfields
521,000 motor vehicles
Singapore Economy:
Economy. Singapore is the second busiest port in the world. It has become the largest ship-building and repair port in the region as well as a major shipping related financial center. During the 1990's the economy grew at the astonishing rate of between 6 and 12% per year, making it one of the fastest growing economies in the world. The Asian financial crisis slowed the growth promoting the government to implement an economic-stimulus package. In recent years, the government has sought out investment from bon-shipping related industries in order to diversify the economy. In 1992, it hosted a summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations at which a decision was reached to create a regional common market by 2008. Although Singapore is small, half the size of Hong Kong, it has one of the highest per capita income rates ($24,700) in the region.
Currency: Singapore dollars
Per capita GDP: $23,700
GDP: $109.4 billion
GDP growth rate: 1.1%
Inflation rate: 0.5%
Labor force: manufacturing (18%); construction (6%); transportation and communication (11%); financial, business and other services (49%); other 16% (2003)  |
