Difference between revisions of "Singapore" - New World Encyclopedia

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{{Infobox_Country|
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{{Paid}}{{approved}}{{Images OK}}{{submitted}}{{Copyedited}}
native_name =''{{lang|ms|Republik Singapura}}''<br />{{lang|zh|新加坡共和国}}<br />{{lang|ta|சிங்கப்பூர் குடியரசு}} |
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{{Infobox country
conventional_long_name = Republic of Singapore |
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|native_name                =
common_name = Singapore |
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|conventional_long_name      = Republic of Singapore<br />{{lang|zh-cn|新加坡共和国}} {{zh icon}}<br />{{lang|ms|Republik Singapura}} <br />{{lang|ta|சிங்கப்பூர் குடியரசு}}  
image_flag = Flag of Singapore.svg |
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|common_name                 = Singapore
image_coat = Singapore coa.png |
+
|image_flag                 = Flag of Singapore.svg
symbol_type=Coat of arms |
+
|alt_flag                    =
image_map = LocationSingapore.png |
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|image_coat                 = Singapore coa.png
national_motto = {{lang|ms|Majulah Singapura}}<br>([[Malay language|Malay]] for: "Onward, Singapore")|
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|national_motto             = <br/>''"Majulah Singapura"''{{spaces|2}}{{ms icon}}<br />"Onward, Singapore"
national_anthem = ''[[Majulah Singapura]]'' |
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|national_anthem             = ''[[Majulah Singapura]]''<br />"Onward, Singapore"
official_languages = [[Malay language|Malay]] ([[national language]]), [[English language|English]], [[Standard Mandarin|Mandarin]], [[Tamil language|Tamil]] |
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|royal_anthem                =
capital = Singapore <sup>[[#Infobox footnotes|1]]</sup> |latd=1|latm=17|latNS=N|longd=103|longm=51|longEW=E|
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|motto                      =
largest_city = Singapore <sup>[[#Infobox footnotes|1]]</sup> |
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|other_symbol_type          =
government_type = [[Parliamentary system|Parliamentary]] [[republic]] |
+
|other_symbol                =
leader_title1 = [[President of Singapore|President]] |
+
|image_map                  = LocationSingapore.png
leader_title2 = [[Prime Minister of Singapore|Prime Minister]] |
+
|alt_map                    =
leader_name1 = [[Sellapan Ramanathan]] |
+
|map_caption                =
leader_name2 = [[Lee Hsien Loong ]] |
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|image_map2                  =
area_rank = 190th |
+
|alt_map2                    =
area_magnitude = 1_E8 |
+
|map_caption2                =
area = 699 |
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|capital                     = Singapore<br />{{nobr|([[Downtown Core]], [[Central Area|Central]]){{smallsup|1}}}}
areami²=270  <!Do not remove per [[WP:MOSNUM]] >|
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|latd= 1 | latm= 17 | latNS = N
percent_water = 1.444 |
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|longd= 103 |longm= 50 |longEW = E
population_estimate = 4,326,000 |
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|largest_city                =
population_estimate_year = July 2005 |
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|official_languages          = English<br />[[Malay language|Malay]]<br />[[Standard Chinese|Chinese]]<br />[[Tamil language|Tamil]]
population_estimate_rank = 120th |
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|national_languages          =
population_census_year = 2000 |
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|regional_languages          =
population_census = 4,117,700 |
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|languages_type              = [[Official script]]s
population_density = 6,389 |
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|languages                  = [[English alphabet]]<br />[[Malay alphabet]]<br />[[Simplified Chinese characters|Simplified Chinese]]<br />[[Tamil script]]
population_densitymi² =16,392 <!-- Do not remove per [[WP:MOSNUM]] —>|
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|ethnic_groups              =
population_density_rank= 4th |
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|ethnic_groups_year          =
GDP_PPP_year=2006 |
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|demonym                    = Singaporean
GDP_PPP = $123.4 billion <!--IMF 2005 — http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2006/01/data/dbcoutm.cfm?SD=2005&ED=2006&R1=1&R2=1&CS=3&SS=2&OS=C&DD=0&OUT=1&C=576&S=PPPWGT-PPPPC&RequestTimeout=120&CMP=0&x=10&y=16—> |
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|government_type            = [[Parliamentary republic]]
GDP_PPP_rank = 57th |
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|leader_title1               = [[President of Singapore|President]]
GDP_PPP_per_capita = $29,900 |
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|leader_name1                = [[Tony Tan Keng Yam]]
GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 22nd |
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|leader_title2               = [[Prime Minister of Singapore|Prime Minister]]
HDI_year = 2003 |
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|leader_name2                = [[Lee Hsien Loong]]
HDI = 0.907 |
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|leader_title3              = [[Parliament of Singapore|Speaker of Parliament]]
HDI_rank = 25th|
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|leader_name3                = [[Michael Palmer (politician)|Michael Palmer]]
HDI_category = <font color="#009900">high</font> |
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|leader_title4              = [[Chief Justice of Singapore|Chief Justice]]
sovereignty_type = [[Independence]] |
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|leader_name4                = [[Chan Sek Keong]]
established_event1 = Unilateral declaration (from the [[United Kingdom|UK]]) |
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|leader_title5              =
established_event2 = Officially from UK (as a state of Malaysia) |
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|leader_name5                =
established_event3 = From [[Malaysia]] |
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|leader_title6              =
established_date1 = [[August 31]], [[1963]] |
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|leader_name6                =
established_date2 = [[September 16]], [[1963]] |
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|legislature                = [[Parliament of Singapore|Parliament]]
established_date3 = [[August 9]], [[1965]] |
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|upper_house                =
currency = [[Singapore dollar]] |
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|lower_house                =
currency_code = SGD |
+
|sovereignty_type            = [[History of Singapore|Formation]]
time_zone = [[Singapore Standard Time|SST]] |
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|sovereignty_note            =
utc_offset = +8 |
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|established_event1          = [[Founding of modern Singapore|Founding]]
time_zone_DST = Not observed |
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|established_date1          = 6 February 1819<ref>{{cite book|last=Chew|first=Ernest|editor=Edwin Lee|title=A History of Singapore|year=1991|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=0-19-588917-7}}</ref>
utc_offset_DST = +8 |
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|established_event2          = [[Self-governance of Singapore|Self-government]]
cctld= [[.sg]] |
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|established_date2          = 3 June 1959<ref>{{cite news |title=State of Singapore came into being 50 years ago on 3 June |author=Hoe Yeen Nie |url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/433440/1/.html |newspaper=Channel News Asia |location=Singapore |date=2 June 2009}} Retrieved October 28, 2011.</ref>
calling_code = 65<sup>2</sup> |
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|established_event3          = [[Independence]] from the [[United Kingdom]]
footnotes = <cite id="Infobox_footnotes"> </cite> 1. Singapore is a [[city-state]]. <br>2. 02 when dialling from Malaysia
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|established_date3          = 31 August 1963<ref name="LOC2">{{cite web |url=http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?frd/cstdy:@field(DOCID+sg0033) |title=Singapore as Part of Malaysia |last=Leitch Lepoer |first=Barbara |year=1989 |work=Library of Congress Country Studies |publisher=Government Printing Office |accessdate=October 28, 2011 |location=Washington, D.C.}}</ref>
 +
|established_event4          = [[Singapore in Malaysia|Merger with Malaysia]]
 +
|established_date4          = 16 September 1963<ref name="LOC2"/>
 +
|established_event5          = [[Independence|Separation from Malaysia]]
 +
|established_date5          = 9 August 1965<ref name="LOC2"/>
 +
|established_event9          =
 +
|established_date9          =
 +
|area_rank                  = 191st
 +
|area_magnitude              = 1_E8
 +
|area                        =
 +
|area_km2                    = 694
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|area_sq_mi                  =
 +
|area_footnote              =
 +
|percent_water              = 1.444
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|population_census           = 5,183,700 (of whom 3,257,000 are Singapore citizens)<ref name=unpop>Statistics Singapore, [http://www.singstat.gov.sg/stats/themes/people/popnindicators.pdf Key Demographic Indicators, 1970 – 2011]. Retrieved October 28, 2011.</ref>
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|population_census_year      = 2011
 +
|population_estimate        =  
 +
|population_estimate_rank    =
 +
|population_estimate_year    =  
 +
|population_density_km2      = 7,126<ref name=autogenerated1>Statistics Singapore, [http://www.singstat.gov.sg/stats/keyind.html#popnarea Key Annual Indicators] Retrieved October 28, 2011.</ref>
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|population_density_sq_mi    = 18,943
 +
|population_density_rank     = 3rd
 +
|GDP_PPP                     = $291.9&nbsp;billion<ref name="CIA">{{cite web |url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/sn.html |title=World Factbook – Singapore |publisher=U.S. Central Intelligence Agency |accessdate=October 28, 2011}}</ref>
 +
|GDP_PPP_rank                = 41st
 +
|GDP_PPP_year                = 2010
 +
|GDP_PPP_per_capita          = $62,100<ref name="CIA"/>
 +
|GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank    = 5th
 +
|GDP_nominal                = $222.7&nbsp;billion<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.singstat.gov.sg/stats/themes/economy/hist/gdp2.html |publisher= Statistics Singapore |title= Time Series on GDP Data at Current Market Prices |date=17 February 2011}} Retrieved October 28, 2011.</ref>
 +
|GDP_nominal_rank            =
 +
|GDP_nominal_year            = 2010
 +
|GDP_nominal_per_capita      = $43,867<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.singstat.gov.sg/stats/themes/economy/hist/gdp.html |publisher =Statistics Singapore |title= Time Series on Per Capita GDP at Current Market Prices |date=17 February 2011}} Retrieved October 28, 2011.</ref>
 +
|GDP_nominal_per_capita_rank = 15th
 +
|Gini                        = 47.8<ref name="CIA"/>
 +
|Gini_rank                  = 29th
 +
|Gini_year                  = 2009
 +
|Gini_category              =
 +
|HDI                        = {{increase}} 0.846<ref name="HDI">{{cite web|url=http://hdr.undp.org/en/media/HDR_2010_EN_Table1.pdf|title=Human Development Report 2010|year=2010|publisher=United Nations|accessdate=October 28, 2010}}</ref>
 +
|HDI_rank                    = 27th
 +
|HDI_year                    = 2010
 +
|HDI_category                = <span style="color:#090;">very high</span>
 +
|currency                   = [[Singapore dollar]]
 +
|currency_code               = SGD
 +
|time_zone                   = [[Singapore Standard Time|SST]]
 +
|utc_offset                 = +8
 +
|time_zone_DST              =
 +
|antipodes                  =
 +
|date_format                = dd/mm/yyyy
 +
|DST_note                    =
 +
|utc_offset_DST             =
 +
|drives_on                  = left
 +
|cctld                       = [[.sg]]
 +
|iso3166code                =
 +
|calling_code               = [[+65]]
 +
|image_map3                  =
 +
|alt_map3                    =
 +
|footnotes                   =
 +
|footnote1                  = Singapore is a [[city-state]].
 +
|footnote2                  = [[Subscriber trunk dialling|STD code]] 02 from Malaysia.
 +
|footnote7                  =
 
}}
 
}}
{{portal}}
 
'''Singapore''', formally the '''Republic of Singapore''' ({{lang-ms|''Republik Singapura''}}; [[Simplified Chinese character|Chinese]]: {{lang|zh|新加坡共和国}}, [[Pinyin]]: ''Xīnjiāpō Gònghéguó''; {{lang-ta|சிங்கப்பூர் குடியரசு}}, {{lang|ta|''Ciŋkappūr Kudiyarasu''}}), is an [[Island nation|island]] [[city-state]] and the smallest country in [[Southeast Asia]]. It is located on the southern tip of the [[Malay Peninsula]], south of the [[Malaysia|Malaysian]] state of [[Johor]], and north of the [[Indonesia|Indonesian]] [[Riau Islands]]. It lies just 137 kilometres (85&nbsp;[[mile]]s) north of the [[Equator]].
 
  
The site of several ancient [[port]] cities and a possession of several empires in its history, Singapore was a [[Malay people|Malay]] [[fishing]] [[village]] when it was colonised by the [[United Kingdom]] in the 19th century. It was further [[Japanese Occupation of Singapore|occupied by the Japanese Empire]] in [[World War II]], and was later part of the merger which established the [[Malaysia|Federation of Malaysia]]. When Singapore acquired independence, having few [[natural resource]]s, it was sociopolitically volatile and economically undeveloped. Foreign investment and rapid government-led [[industrialisation]] has since created an economy which relies on exports of [[electronics]] and [[manufacturing]] primarily from [[Port of Singapore|its port]].  
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'''Singapore''', officially the '''Republic of Singapore''', is an island nation and the smallest country in [[Southeast Asia]]. It is located on the southern tip of the [[Malay Peninsula]], south of the [[Malaysia]]n state of [[Johor]], and north of the [[Indonesia]]n [[Riau Islands]]. It lies 85 miles (137 kilometers) north of the [[Equator]].  
  
According to the quality-of-life index assembled by the [[Economist Intelligence Unit]], Singapore has the highest standard of living in Asia, and is ranked 11th in the World. <ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.economist.com/theworldin/international/displayStory.cfm?story_id=3372495&d=2005 Worldwide quality-of-life index | title = Singapore's position in the World in terms of Quality of Life | publisher = [[The Economist]] | accessdate = 2006-8-17}} </ref> In the more well-known [[Human Development Index]] by the [[United Nations]], Singapore holds the 25th place, behind only Japan and Hong Kong in Asia. Measured by [[GDP per capita]], Singapore is the 22nd wealthiest country. The geographically small nation has a foreign reserve of S$197b (US$119b).
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According to folklore, a prince named Sang Nila Utama was caught in a storm that did not cease until he threw his crown into the water. He sailed to the closest island and the first animal he saw was a lion. He named the island ''Singapura.'' The name ''Singapore'' is derived from the Malay language words ''singa'' (lion) and ''pura'' (city). Hence, Singapore is also known as the ''Lion City.''
  
More than 90% of Singapore's population lives in [[housing estate]]s constructed by the [[Housing and Development Board|Housing Development Board]] and nearly half uses the [[public transport]] system daily <ref name="dailyridership">{{cite web | url = http://www.lta.gov.sg/corp_info/doc/Stats%20In%20Brief%20(2005).pdf | title = Singapore Land Transport: Statistics In Brief 2005 | publisher = [[Land Transport Authority]] | accessdate = 2005-12-07}} </ref>. As a result of efforts to control motorised traffic, the maintenance of natural greenery, strict regulations on industrial locations and emissions, and other pro-environmental initiatives by the government and the private sector, Singapore has been able to control its pollution levels to well within [[World Health Organization]] standards <ref> {{cite web | url = http://www.mewr.gov.sg/sgp2012/index.html | title = Singapore Green Plan 2012 | publisher = [[Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources]] | accessdate = 2006-08-14}} </ref>. The [[Constitution of Singapore|Constitution of the Republic of Singapore]] established the city-state as a [[representative democracy]]. Singapore initially undertook a [[democratic socialism|democratic socialist]] policy shortly after its independence, adopting a [[welfare economics|welfare]] system. However, the [[Government of Singapore|government]] has since become more conservative than it was at the founding of the republic. Singapore faces criticism for being a reduced democracy because of its [[dominant-party system]] and has attracted controversy for some of its policies.
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The site of ancient port cities and a possession of several empires, over the past 40 years Singapore has transformed itself from a poor, politically volatile state into an economic powerhouse. According to the Economist Intelligence Unit quality-of-life index, Singapore has the highest standard of living in Asia, and is ranked 11th in the world, and is the world's 22nd wealthiest country.
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{{toc}}
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A long period of stable government, investment in housing and education, and pragmatic and pro-active policies have created a modern nation that exists on the cutting edge of technological progress.
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==Geography==
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Singapore, which consists of 63 islands, is slightly more than 3.5 times the size of [[Washington, DC]]. Land reclamation has resulted in an increase of land area from 224 square miles (581.5 square kilometers) in the 1960s to 269 square miles (697.2 square kilometers) in 2007. About 23 percent of Singapore's land area consists of forest and nature reserves.  
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The Johor-Singapore Causeway connects Singapore to [[Malaysia]] in the north, crossing the Tebrau Straits; and Malaysia-Singapore Second Link is a bridge from western Singapore to Johor. The highest point of Singapore is Bukit Timah Hill, with a height of 538 feet (166 meters).
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[[Image:Singapore botanic garden pond.jpg|thumb|left|200px|[[Singapore Botanic Gardens]], a 166 acre (.7 sq km) botanical garden in Singapore that includes the National Orchid Garden which has a collection of more than 3000 species of [[orchid]]s.]]
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Singapore has a tropical [[rainforest]] climate with no distinct seasons, characterized by uniform temperature and pressure, high humidity, and abundant rainfall. Temperatures range from 72F to 93F (22C to 34C). On average, the relative humidity is around 90 percent in the morning and 60 percent in the afternoon. During prolonged heavy rain, relative humidity often reaches 100 percent.
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The only remaining area of primary rainforest is the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve. A variety of parks are maintained, such as the Singapore Botanic Gardens. With no natural freshwater rivers and lakes, rainfall, collected in reservoirs, supplies approximately 50 percent of water. The remainder is imported from Malaysia or obtained from recycled water, a product called NEWater, and [[desalination]] plants.
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New towns built since the 1960s have resulted in an entirely built-up and urban landscape. About 83 percent of Singapore's population lives in housing estates constructed by the Housing and Development Board.  
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As a result of controls on motorized traffic, the maintenance of natural greenery, and strict regulations on industrial locations and emissions, Singapore has been able to control its pollution levels to within [[World Health Organization]] standards.
  
 
==History==
 
==History==
{{main|History of Singapore}}
 
The name ''Singapore'' is derived from the [[Malay language|Malay]] words {{lang|ms|''singa''}} (lion) and {{lang|ms|''pura''}} (city), which were themselves derived from the [[Sanskrit]] words {{lang|sa|सिंह}} {{IAST|''siṃha''}} and {{lang|sa|पुर}} {{IAST|''pura''}}.<ref> {{cite web |  url = http://www.bartleby.com/61/46/S0424600.html | title = Singapore| publisher = bartleby.com | accessdate = 2006-04-14 }}</ref>.  In [[Tamil]], one of the official languages of Singapore, ''Singam'' means Lion and ''Puram'' means City.  Hence, Singapore is also known as the ''Lion City''. The naming is attributed to a [[prince]] named [[Sang Nila Utama]], who according to folklore, was caught in a terrible storm that did not cease until he had thrown his crown into the water. The waters calmed immediately after that, and he sailed to the closest island he could see. The first animal he saw after he had set foot on the island was supposedly a [[lion]]. Therefore, he decided to name the island [[Singapura]].<ref> {{cite web| title = Early History | url = http://www.sg/explore/history.htm | publisher = Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts, Singapore | accessdate = 2006-04-14 }} </ref>
 
  
The first records of Singapore's existence are in [[China|Chinese]] texts from the 3rd century AD. The island was an outpost of the [[Sumatra]]n [[Srivijaya]] empire and originally bore the [[Javanese]] name ''[[Temasek]]'' (which means sea town). Temasek (Tumasek) rose to become a significant trading city, but subsequently declined. There are few remnants of old Temasek in Singapore, but [[archaeology in Singapore|archaeologists in Singapore]] have uncovered evidence of the civilization, as well as other settlements. Between the 16th and early 19th centuries, Singapore was a part of the [[Sultanate of Johor|Sultanate of Johore]]. During the Malay-[[Portugal]] wars in 1613, Singapore was set ablaze by Portuguese troops. <ref name="uslcPrecolonial"> {{cite web | title = Singapore - Precolonial Era | url = http://countrystudies.us/singapore/3.htm | publisher = U.S. Library of Congress  | accessdate = 2006-06-18 }} </ref>
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Chinese texts from the third century C.E. contain the first records of Singapore's existence. The island was an outpost of the [[Sumatra]]n Srivijaya empire and originally bore the [[Javanese]] name ''Temasek'' (which means sea town). Temasek became a significant [[trading]] city. Between the sixteenth and early nineteenth centuries, Singapore was a part of the [[Sultanate of Johore]]. During the [[Malay-Portugal wars]] in 1613, Portuguese troops set fire to Singapore.
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[[Image:Stamford Raffles statue.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Statue of [[Thomas Stamford Raffles]] by [[Thomas Woolner]], erected at the spot where he first landed at Singapore. He is recognized as the founder of modern Singapore.]]
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In 1819, Sir [[Thomas Stamford Raffles]], an official with the [[British East India Company]], signed a treaty with the Sultan of Johore, and established Singapore as a trading post and settlement, bringing instant growth and [[immigration]]. [[Britain]] made Singapore a crown colony in 1867, and later an entrepot town, due to its strategic location along the busy shipping routes connecting [[Europe]] to [[China]].
  
[[Image:Stamford Raffles statue.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Statue of [[Thomas Stamford Raffles]] by [[Thomas Woolner]], erected at the spot where he first landed at Singapore. He is recognised as the founder of modern Singapore.]]
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During [[World War II]], the Imperial [[Japan]]ese Army invaded [[Malaya]] and attacked Singapore. The British, despite having more troops, were not prepared for an attack through the dense Malayan jungle and surrendered on February 15, 1942. The Japanese renamed Singapore ''Shōnan'' and occupied it until the British repossessed the island on September 12, 1945, after the Japanese surrender.
  
In 1819, Sir [[Stamford Raffles|Thomas Stamford Raffles]], an official with the [[British East India Company]], signed a treaty with the Sultan of Johore. He also established Singapore as a trading post and settlement, which saw instant growth and immigration from various ethnic groups. Singapore was later made a [[British overseas territories|crown colony]] by Britain in 1867. After a series of colonial territorial expansions, the British Empire soon raised Singapore's status to that of an [[Entrepôt|entrepot]] town, due to its strategic location along the busy shipping routes connecting [[Europe]] to China.<ref> {{cite web| title = Founding of Modern Singapore | url = http://www.sg/explore/history_founding.htm | publisher = Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts, Singapore | accessdate = 2006-04-14 }} </ref>
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Singapore became a self-governing state in 1959 with [[Yusof bin Ishak]] as its first head of state and [[Lee Kuan Yew]] from the People's Action Party as its first prime minister. Following a 1962 merger referendum, Singapore joined [[Malaysia]] along with [[Malaya]], [[Sabah]], and [[Sarawak]] in September 1963, but was expelled after heated ideological conflict with the federal government in [[Kuala Lumpur]]. It gained official sovereignty on  August 9, 1965, which later became Singapore's National Day. Yusof bin Ishak was sworn in as the first President and Lee Kuan Yew remained as Prime Minister.
  
During [[World War II]], the [[Imperial Japanese Army]] invaded [[Malaya]] and the surrounding region in the [[Battle of Malaya]], which culminated in the [[Battle of Singapore]]. The British were unprepared and swiftly defeated, despite having more troops. They surrendered to the Japanese on [[15 February]] [[1942]]. The Japanese renamed Singapore to ''Syonan-to'', [[Japanese language|Japanese]] for "Light of the South", and occupied it until the British arrived to repossess the island a month after [[Surrender of Japan|the Japanese surrender]] in September 1945.<ref> {{cite web | author = Ron Taylor | title = Fall of Malaya and Singapore | url = http://www.britain-at-war.org.uk/Malaya_and_Singapore/body_index.htm | accessdate = 2006-04-14 }} </ref>
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[[Image:Singapore.jpg|thumb|right|200px|The Downtown Core of Singapore at dusk]]
  
Singapore became a self-governing state in 1959 with [[Yusof bin Ishak]] as its first ''[[Yang di-Pertuan Negara]]'' (head of state) and [[Lee Kuan Yew]] from the [[People's Action Party]] (PAP) as its first [[Prime Minister of Singapore|Prime Minister]], after the 1959 elections. The [[1962 Merger Referendum of Singapore]] led Singapore joined [[Malaysia]] along with Malaya, [[Sabah]] and [[Sarawak]] as a state with [[Autonomous entity|autonomous]] powers in September 1963. [[16 September]], coincidentally, is also [[Minister Mentor]] [[Lee Kuan Yew]]'s birthday. Singapore was expelled from the federation after [[PAP-UMNO relations|heated ideological conflict]] developed between the state government formed by PAP and the federal government in [[Kuala Lumpur]]. It gained official sovereignty on [[9 August]] [[1965]], which later became Singapore's National Day. Malaysia was the first country to recognise it as an independent nation.<ref> {{cite web| title = Road to Independence | url = http://countrystudies.us/singapore/10.htm | publisher = U.S. Library of Congress | accessdate = 2006-04-14 }} </ref> [[Yusof bin Ishak]] was sworn in as the first [[President of Singapore]] and [[Lee Kuan Yew]] remained as prime minister.
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The fledgling nation faced mass unemployment, housing shortages, and lack of land and [[natural resources,]] including [[petroleum]]. New Minister of Finance Goh Keng Swee adopted a strategy to encourage investment with tax incentives and the establishment of a large industrial estate in Jurong. The education system was revamped to train a skilled workforce and the [[English language]] was promoted over the [[Chinese language]].  
[[Image:Singapore_skyline.jpg|thumb|right|350px|The skyline of Singapore.]]
 
The fledgling nation had to become self-sufficient, and faced problems including mass [[unemployment]], housing shortages and lack of land and natural resources such as [[petroleum]]. During Lee Kuan Yew's term as prime minister from 1959 to 1990, his administration immediately curbed unemployment, raised the [[standard of living]] and implemented a large-scale public housing programme. The country [[economic]] infrastructure was developed, the threat of racial tension was eliminated and an independent national defence system was created. Singapore evolved from a [[Developing country|developing nation]] to a [[global city]] with [[developed country|first world status]] towards the end of the 20th century.<ref> {{cite web| title = Country Groups | url = http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/DATASTATISTICS/0,,contentMDK:20421402~menuPK:64133156~pagePK:64133150~piPK:64133175~theSitePK:239419,00.html | publisher = [[The World Bank]] | accessdate = 2006-05-02 }} </ref>
 
  
In 1990, [[Goh Chok Tong]] succeeded Lee as Prime Minister. During his tenure, the country tackled the economic impacts of the 1997 [[East Asian financial crisis|Asian financial crisis]] and the 2003 [[Severe acute respiratory syndrome|SARS]] outbreak, as well as [[War on Terrorism|terrorist threats]] posed by the [[Jemaah Islamiyah|Jemaah Islamiah]] (JI) [[September 11 attacks|post-September 11]] and the [[Bali bombings]]. In 2004 [[Lee Hsien Loong]], the eldest son of Lee Kuan Yew, became the third prime minister.<ref> {{cite web| title =  Country profile: Singapore | publisher = BBC News | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/country_profiles/1143240.stm | accessdate = 2006-04-14}} </ref>
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Lee Kuan Yew, during his term as prime minister from 1959 to 1990, curbed unemployment, raised the standard of living, and implemented a large-scale public housing program. The country's economic infrastructure was developed, the threat of racial tension was eliminated, and an independent national defense system was created. Singapore evolved from a developing nation to a global city with first-world status by the end of the twentieth century.
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In 1990, Goh Chok Tong succeeded Lee as prime minister. During his tenure, the country tackled the economic impacts of the 1997 Asian financial crisis and the 2003 [[severe acute respiratory syndrome]] (SARS) outbreak, as well as terrorist threats posed by the militant Islamic group Jemaah Islamiah post-[[World Trade Tower attack|September 11 attacks]] and the [[Bali]] bombings.
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In 2004 Lee Hsien Loong, the eldest son of Lee Kuan Yew, became the third Prime Minister.
  
 
==Politics and government==
 
==Politics and government==
<!--Please add new information into relevant articles of the series—>
 
{{main|Politics of Singapore}}
 
[[Image:Singapore_Parliament_House.jpg|thumb|right|300px|The Singapore Parliament House.]]
 
Singapore is a [[republic]] with a [[Westminster system]] of a [[Unicameralism|unicameral]] [[Parliament|parliamentary government]] representing different [[constituencies of Singapore]]. The bulk of the executive powers rests in the hands of the [[Cabinet of Singapore]], which consists of ministers led by the [[Prime Minister of Singapore]]. The office of the [[President of Singapore]] was, historically, a ceremonial one as [[head of state]], but the [[Constitution of Singapore]] was amended in 1991 to create the position of a popularly elected President and also to grant the President [[veto]] powers in a few key decisions such as the use of the national reserves and the appointment of key [[judiciary]] positions.<ref>{{cite web | title=The Presidency in Singapore | work=Istana website | url=http://www.istana.gov.sg/pro.html |  accessdate=2005-01-30 }} </ref> The [[Legislature|legislative]] branch of government is the Parliament. [[Parliamentary elections in Singapore]] are [[plurality voting system|plurality-based]] for group representation constituencies since the [[Parliamentary Elections Act]] was modified in 1991. <ref> {{cite web|title=Parliamentary Elections Act|publisher=Singapore Statutes Online|url=http://statutes.agc.gov.sg/non_version/cgi-bin/cgi_getdata.pl?actno=2001-REVED-218&doctitle=PARLIAMENTARY%20ELECTIONS%20ACT%0A&segid=946439076-000003|accessdate=2006-05-08}}</ref>
 
  
Singaporean politics have been dominated by the [[People's Action Party]] (PAP) since the country's independence in 1965.<ref> {{cite book | author=Worthington, Ross | title=Governance in Singapore | publisher=Routledge/Curzon | year=2002 | id=ISBN 0-7007-1474-X}}</ref> Foreign political analysts and several opposition parties including the [[Workers' Party of Singapore]] and the [[Singapore Democratic Party]] (SDP) have argued that Singapore is a ''[[de facto]]'' [[Single-party state|one-party state]]. Many consider the form of government in Singapore to be closer to [[authoritarianism]] such as [[illiberal democracy]] or [[procedural democracy]] rather than true [[democracy]]. [[Reporters Without Borders]] ranked Singapore 140th out of 167 countries in its 2005 Worldwide Press Freedom Index. It has also been alleged that the PAP employs [[censorship]], [[gerrymandering]] by the [[Elections Department]] and the filing of civil suits against the opposition for [[Slander and libel|libel or slander]] to impede their success. Several former and present members of the opposition, including [[Francis Seow]], [[J.B. Jeyaretnam]] and [[Chee Soon Juan]] perceive the Singaporean courts as favourable towards the government and the PAP due to a lack of [[separation of powers]]. <ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.rsf.org/rubrique.php3?id_rubrique=554
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[[Image:Singapore_Parliament_House.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Singapore Parliament House]]
| title=Worldwide Press Freedom Index | accessdate=2006-04-13}} </ref> Although no PAP member has ever lost a defamation case in court, there are three cases in which opposition leader [[Chiam See Tong]] sued PAP members for defamation and successfully obtained an out-of-court settlement. <ref> {{cite news| title= Resolution: Singapore Case N SIN/01 - Joshua Jeyaretnam | publisher = Inter-Parliamentary Union | date = 23 March 2002 | url  = http://www.ipu.org/hr-e/170/Sin01.htm }} </ref>
 
  
Singapore has what its government considers to be a highly successful and transparent [[market economy]]. The PAP's policies contain some aspects of [[socialism]]. The [[Housing Development Board]] oversees a large-scale public housing programme and [[education in Singapore]] is a rigorous [[compulsory education|compulsory]] [[public education]] system, and the dominance of government-controlled companies in the local economy. Although dominant in its activities, the government has a clean, [[Political corruption|corruption-free]] image. Singapore has consistently been rated as the least-corrupt country in [[Asia]] and amongst the top ten cleanest from corruption in the world by [[Transparency International]].<ref> {{cite web | url = http://www.transparency.org/policy_research/surveys_indices/cpi | title = Transparency International - Corruption Perceptions Index 2005 | accessdate = 2006-04-13 }} </ref>
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The politics of Singapore takes place in a framework of a parliamentary republic, whereby the Prime Minister of Singapore is the head of [[government]], and of a pluriform [[multi-party system]].  
  
Although Singapore's laws are inherited from British and [[British India]]n laws, including many elements of [[English common law]], the PAP has also consistently rejected [[liberal democracy|liberal democratic values]], which it typifies as [[Western world|Western]] and states that there should not be a 'one-size-fits-all' solution to a democracy. Laws restricting the [[freedom of speech]] are justified by claims that they are intended to prohibit speech that may breed ill will or cause disharmony within Singapore's multiracial, multi-religious society. For example, in September 2005, three [[blog]]gers were convicted of [[sedition]] for posting [[Racism|racist]] remarks targeting minorities.<ref> {{cite news| title= Third racist blogger sentenced to 24 months supervised probation | url = http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/180127/1/.html | publisher=Channel NewsAsia | date=23 November 2005}} </ref> Some offences can lead to heavy fines or [[caning]] and there are laws which allow [[capital punishment in Singapore]] for [[Murder|first-degree murder]] and [[Illegal drug trade|drug trafficking]]. [[Amnesty International]] has criticised Singapore for having "possibly the highest execution rate in the world" [[per capita]].<ref> {{cite web | title = Amnesty International | work = The death penalty: A hidden toll of executions | url = http://web.amnesty.org/library/Index/ENGASA360012004?open&of=ENG-SGP | accessdate =7 June | accessyear = 2005}} </ref> The Singapore government argued that there is no international consensus on the appropriateness of the death penalty and that Singapore has the [[Sovereignty|sovereign right]] to determine its own judicial system and impose capital punishment for the most serious crimes. <ref>{{cite web|title = The Singapore Government's Response To Amnesty International's Report "Singapore - The Death Penalty: A Hidden Toll Of Executions" | publisher = Ministry of Home Affairs, Singapore | url = http://www2.mha.gov.sg/mha/detailed.jsp?artid=1770&type=3&root=0&parent=0&cat=65 | date = 2004-01-30 }} </ref> However, more recently the PAP government has relaxed some of its [[social conservatism|socially conservative]] policies and created a "Feedback Unit"<ref>[http://app.feedback.gov.sg Feedback Unit, Singapore]</ref> to encourage citizens to share their views on policies and public services.
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The president had largely a ceremonial role until 1991, when constitutional changes meant the president would be directly elected, by popular vote, for a six-year term. The president has veto powers in a few key decisions such as the use of the national reserves and the appointment of key judiciary positions.
  
{{See also|Law of Singapore}}
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The cabinet forms the executive, and is answerable to the [[Parliament]]. The President appoints the Prime Minister, and 16 cabinet ministers, on the advice of the [[Prime Minister]].
  
==Geography==
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A unicameral Parliament with the President as its head makes up the legislature. The 84 members of Parliament are elected for a maximum five-year term, and represent either single-member constituencies or group representation constituencies, in which political parties field a team of between three to six candidates. At least one candidate in the team must belong to a minority race. Voting has been compulsory in Singapore since 1959. Paper ballots are still used.
{{main|Geography and climate of Singapore}}
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[[Image:Singapore Planning Regions.png|thumb|right|250px|Singapore is divided into 55 [[urban planning areas of Singapore|urban planning areas]], grouped into 5 [[Regions of Singapore|regions]].]]
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In the general election in 2006, the incumbent People's Action Party (PAP) won 82 of the 84 seats. The PAP has dominated Singaporean politics since 1959. Some foreign analysts and several opposition parties have argued that Singapore is a de facto one-party state. The Economist Intelligence Unit listed Singapore as a country with a hybrid system of democratic and authoritarian elements.
[[Image:Singapore botanic garden pond.jpg|thumb|right|250px|[[Singapore Botanic Gardens]], a 52-hectare (128&nbsp;[[acre]]) botanical garden in Singapore that includes the National Orchid Garden which has a collection of more than 3,000 species of [[orchid]]s.]]
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[[Image:CentralSingapore.JPG|thumb|right|250px|View of the central part of the city.]]
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The Supreme Court consists of the Court of Appeal and the High Court. The President appoints the Chief Justice, judges of appeal, judicial commissioners and High Court judges from candidates recommended by the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister must consult the Chief Justice before recommending the judges.
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The [[Constitution]] is the supreme law, and cannot be amended without the support of more than two-thirds of parliament. The President may seek opinion on constitutional issues from a tribunal consisting of at least three Supreme Court judges. Part XII of the Constitution allows the Parliament of Singapore to enact legislation designed to prevent subversion. The Internal Security Act is a law under such provision. In 1966, Chia Thye Poh, an alleged communist activist member of Parliament, was detained under this act and was imprisoned for 23 years without trial.
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Singapore's laws derive from British and [[British Indian laws]], and include many elements of [[English common law]]. Laws restricting the freedom of speech are justified by claims that they are intended to prohibit speech that may breed ill will or cause disharmony within Singapore's multiracial, multi-religious society. For example, in September 2005, three bloggers were convicted of [[sedition]] for posting [[racism|racist]] remarks targeting minorities, with one sentenced to one day in jail; the second to one month; the third sentenced to probation.
  
Singapore consists of 63 islands, including the main island itself. There are two connections from Singapore to the Malaysian state of Johor &mdash; a man-made [[causeway]] known as the [[Johor-Singapore Causeway]] to the north, crossing the [[Tebrau Straits]], and [[Malaysia-Singapore Second Link|Tuas Second Link]], a bridge in the western part of Singapore that connects to Johor. [[Jurong Island]], [[Pulau Tekong]], [[Pulau Ubin]] and [[Sentosa]] are the largest of Singapore's many smaller islands. The highest point of Singapore is [[Bukit Timah|Bukit Timah Hill]], with a height of 166 metres (538 [[foot (unit of length)|ft]]).
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[[Image:Singapore Gurkha 01.jpg|thumb|200px|The [[Gurkha]] Contingent of the Singapore Police Force, with its members recruited from [[Nepal]], is a [[counter-terrorism]] unit. Here, the officers join other members of the local constabulary in the annual Police Day Parade.]]
  
The urban area used to be only concentrated on the southern part of Singapore around the mouth of the [[Singapore River]] and what is now the [[Downtown Core]], while the rest of the land was [[tropical rainforest]] or used for [[agriculture]]. Since the 1960s, the government has constructed new towns in outlying areas, resulting in an entirely built-up and urban landscape, although the [[Central Area]], the [[central business district]], remains the densest. The [[Urban Redevelopment Authority]] is a government agency responsible for the [[urban planning in Singapore|urban planning of Singapore]] that concentrates on efficient land use and distribution, as well as transport flow. It has released a [[Development Guide Plan]] which details specific land use for each the 55 [[urban planning areas of Singapore]].  
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Some offenses can lead to heavy fines or caning. First-degree murder and [[Narcotics trafficking|drug trafficking]] receive the [[death penalty]]. [[Amnesty International]] has criticized Singapore for having the highest execution rate in the world per capita.  
  
Singapore has [[land reclamation|reclaimed land]] with earth obtained from its own hills, the seabed and neighbouring countries. As a result, Singapore's land area grew from 581.5 square kilometres (224.5&nbsp;[[square mile|sq&nbsp;mi]]) in the 1960s to 697.2 square kilometres (269.1&nbsp;sq&nbsp;mi) today, and may grow by another 100 square kilometres (38.6&nbsp;sq&nbsp;mi) by 2030.<ref> {{cite web| title = Towards Environmental Sustainability, State of the Environment 2005 Report (PDF)| publisher = Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, Singapore  | accessdate = 2006-04-14| url = http://app.nea.gov.sg/counter/nea_soecover.asp }}</ref> About 23% of Singapore's land area consists of forest and nature reserves.
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The PAP's policies have some socialist aspects. The Housing Development Board oversees a large-scale public housing program and there is a rigorous compulsory public education system. Government-linked companies dominate the media, utilities, and public transport. [[Transparency International]] has consistently rated Singapore as the least-corrupt country in [[Asia]].
  
Singapore has a tropical rainforest climate with no distinct seasons, under the [[Köppen climate classification]]. Its climate is characterised by uniform temperature and pressure, high humidity and abundant rainfall. Temperatures range from 22°[[Celsius|C]] to 34 °C (72°&ndash;93°[[Fahrenheit|F]]). On average, the [[relative humidity]] is around 90% in the morning and 60% in the afternoon. During prolonged heavy rain, relative humidity often reaches 100%.<ref> {{cite web| title = Climate of Singapore | url = http://app.nea.gov.sg/cms/htdocs/article.asp?pid=1088 | publisher = National Environment Agency, Singapore | accessdate = 2006-04-14}}</ref> The lowest and highest temperature recorded in its maritime history is 18.4 °C (65.1 °F) and 37.8 °C (100.0 °F) respectively. The highest wind speed recorded is 120km/h on July 27, 2001.  
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Singapore has mutual defense pacts with several countries, most notably the Five Power Defense Arrangements. Singapore subscribes to a philosophy of Total Defense, in which five aspects of national defense are identified: Civil defense; economic defense (a robust economy); psychological defense (a patriotic citizenry); and "social defense" (a population at harmony with itself).
  
Urbanisation has eliminated many areas of primary rainforest that once existed, with the only remaining area of primary rainforest being [[Bukit Timah Nature Reserve]]. A variety of parks, however, are maintained with human intervention, such as the [[Singapore Botanic Gardens]]. Without natural [[Fresh water|freshwater]] rivers and lakes, the primary domestic source of [[water supply]] in Singapore is [[Precipitation (meteorology)|rainfall]], collected in reservoirs or catchment areas. Rainfall supplies approximately 50% of Singapore's water; the remainder is imported from Malaysia or obtained from [[Reclaimed water|recycled water]] facilities, a product called [[NEWater]] and [[desalination]] plants. More NEWater and desalination plants are being built or proposed to reduce reliance on foreign supply.<ref>{{cite web| title = Clean Water | publisher = Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, Singapore | accessdate = 2006-04-14| url = http://app.mewr.gov.sg/home.asp?cid=167&nid=167&id=SAS763 }} </ref>
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The Singapore Armed Forces, which includes the army, navy, and air force, is one of the most modern in Asia, with advanced equipment and high level of training reflecting the fact that military expenditure dominates the government budget annually. The [[Gurkha]] Contingent, which is part of the Singapore Police Force, is a counter-terrorist force. Singapore's defense resources have been used in United Nations peacekeeping assignments in [[Kosovo]], [[Kuwait]], and [[East Timor]].
  
 
==Economy==
 
==Economy==
{{main|Economy of Singapore}}
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[[Image:Marina bay new IR.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Singapore's Central Business District (CBD), where there is the fourth largest exchange center in the world. The piece of green land facing the CBD would be half the site of the future Integrated Resort.]]
[[Image:Merlion.jpg|250px|right|thumb|The [[Merlion]] is one of the best-known tourist icons of Singapore.]]
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[[Image:MerlionSentosa.jpg|200px|thumb|right|Singapore's national icon, the Merlion can be seen in the CBD and Sentosa.]]
[[Image:Lit-up_CBD_from_Raffles_City_-_RGW.jpg|thumb|right|250px|The [[Central Area]] is the [[central business district]] and hub of economic transactions in Singapore, and is also the home of the [[Singapore Exchange]], Asia-Pacific's first de-mutualised and integrated securities and derivatives exchange.]]
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[[Image:Singapore river panorama2.JPG|thumb|right|200px|Panoramic view of the [[Singapore River]]. Once center of trade and commerce as the port of Singapore during its colonial times, it is now a [[tourism|tourist]] spot with numerous bars, pubs, and seafood restaurants along the river.]]
[[Image:SGcurrency.jpg|thumb|right|250px|The [[Singapore Dollar]].]]
 
Singapore has a highly developed [[Market economy|market-based economy]], and is a [[developed nation]]. It ranks 25th on the [[Human Development Index]]<ref> [http://hdr.undp.org/reports/global/2005/pdf/HDR05_HDI.pdf 2005 UN Human Development Index Report (PDF)]</ref> which measures [[standard of living]], and second in the [[Index of Economic Freedom]]. Although Singapore has one of the highest per capita [[gross domestic product]]s (GDP) in the world, domestic demand is relatively low due to the small population. {{fact}} Singapore is also the fourth largest foreign exchange trading centre in the world after [[London]], [[New York]] and [[Tokyo]]<ref> [http://www.mas.gov.sg/annual_report/annual20052006/Index_A/A17_OA&WIP.htm MAS Annual Report 2005/2006]</ref>.
 
  
Singapore has been rated as the best business-friendly economy in the world.  According to a World Bank-IFC report, Singapore beats previous winner New Zealand for the top spot in the 2005/2006 rankings while the United States came in third. Within Asia, Hong Kong was Singapore's closest competitor at fifth place. They were evaluated on 10 key parameters that included ease of starting a business, getting licences, sourcing staff, as well as and enforcing contracts. <ref> [http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporebusinessnews/view/228852/1/.html Singapore is ranked first in the Doing Business Report 2006 by World Bank] </ref>
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Singapore has a highly developed [[market-based economy]], and is a developed nation. It ranks 25th on the [[Human Development Index]] (HDI) which measures standards of living, and second in the [[Index of Economic Freedom]]. Singapore's [[gross domestic product]] (GDP), per capita, is equal to that of the major European countries. Singapore is also the fourth largest foreign exchange trading center in the world after [[London]], [[New York City]] and [[Tokyo]]. The geographically small nation has foreign exchange reserves of more than S$197 billion (US$119 billion).
  
The economy depends heavily on exports produced from refining imported goods in a form of extended [[entrepot]] trade, especially in manufacturing. Manufacturing contributes around 28% to GDP in 2005. The manufacturing industry is today well-diversified with electronics, chemicals, mechanical engineering and biomedical sciences manufacturing. Along with [[Hong Kong]], [[South Korea]] and [[Republic of China|Taiwan]], Singapore's fast-paced industrialization earned it a place as one of the four original '[[East Asian Tigers]]'.
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The city-state employs thousands of foreign workers—[[India]]ns, [[Malaysia]]ns, and [[Philippines|Filipino]]s. It requires talent from outside to fill the various jobs the economy is generating, most of which are in the information technology and financial sectors. The government offers easy processing time for permanent residency or citizenship.  
  
In 2001, a [[Early 2000s recession|global recession]] and slump in the technology sector caused the GDP to contract by 2.2%. The Economic Review Committee (ERC), set up in December 2001, recommended several policy changes with a view to revitalising the economy. Singapore has since recovered from the recession, largely due to improvements in the world economy; the Singaporean economy itself grew by 8.3% in 2004 and 6.4% in 2005.<ref> {{cite web | url = http://app.mti.gov.sg/data/article/1962/doc/ESS_2005Ann_%20PR.pdf | title = Performance of the Singapore Economy in 2005 (PDF), Ministry of Trade and Industry | accessdate = 2006-04-14}}  </ref> In the long term, the government hopes to establish a new growth path which will be less vulnerable to the external business cycle, as compared to the current export-led model. However, the government is unlikely to abandon efforts to establish Singapore as Southeast Asia's financial and high-tech hub. The per capita GDP in 2005 was US$26,833<ref> {{cite web| title =  Per Capita GDP at Current Market Prices | url = http://www.singstat.gov.sg/keystats/hist/gdp.html | publisher = Singapore Department of Statistics| date = 2006-02-16 }} </ref> and the unemployment rate was 2.8% in June 2006, up from 2.5% in January the same year.<ref> {{cite news | title =  Singapore's employment hits all-time high of 2.3 m in 2005  | author= May Wong | publisher = Channel NewsAsia | date = 1 February 2006 | url = http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporebusinessnews/view/191175/1/.html }}</ref> 81,500 new jobs were created from January-July 2006, the highest number in a decade within a 6 month period. The economy is expected to grow by 6.9% in the year 2006 as announced by the World Bank, after a strong 9.4% growth in the first half of Year 2006 (Jan-Jul 2006). Initially, Lee Hsien Loong, who is the current Finance and Prime Minister, had only expected growth to be between 3-5% for the whole year.  
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The economy depends heavily on exports produced from refining imported goods. Manufacturing, which contributes around 28 percent of GDP, includes electronics, chemicals, mechanical engineering, and biomedical sciences. Along with [[Hong Kong]], [[South Korea]], and [[Republic of China|Taiwan]], Singapore's fast-paced industrialization earned it a place as one of the four original "East Asian Tigers."
  
Singapore introduced a [[Goods and Services Tax]] (GST) with an initial rate of 3% on [[1 April]] [[1994]]. This has substantially increased government revenue by $1.6 billion, stabilising the government's finances.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mof.gov.sg/budget_1996/revenue.html|title=FY 1996 Budget, Revenue And Tax Changes|accessdate=2006-05-01}}</ref> The government has used revenue from the GST to reorient the economy around services and [[value added]]-goods to reduce dependence on electronics manufacturing. The taxable GST was increased to 4% in 2003 and to 5% in 2004.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://app.feedback.gov.sg/asp/pol/pol01d1.asp?id=172|title=Policy Digest: Phased GST increase|accessdate=2006-04-26|year=[[December 21]], [[2002]]}}</ref>
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In 2001, a global recession and slump in the technology sector caused the GDP to contract by 2.2 percent. The Economic Review Committee set up in December 2001 recommended policy changes to revitalize the economy. Improvements in the world economy led to an economic growth rate in Singapore of 8.3 percent in 2004, 6.4 percent in 2005, and 7.7 percent in 2006.  
  
Singapore is a popular travel destination, making [[Tourism in Singapore|tourism]] one of its largest industries. In 2005, a total of 9.05 million tourists visited Singapore. By 2015, Singapore hopes to achieve about 17 million visitor arrivals. In July 2006, a record high of a total of 913,000 visitors arrived in Singapore, mostly due to the [[Great Singapore Sale]]. Much of its attraction can be attributed to its cultural diversity that reflects almost 200 years of colonial history with immigrant cultures originating from Chinese, Malay, Indian, Eurasian and Arab ethnicities. The [[Orchard Road]] district, which is dominated by multi-storey shopping centres and hotels, is the centre of tourism in Singapore. Other popular tourist attractions include the [[Singapore Zoo]] and its [[Night Safari]] along with the tourist island of [[Sentosa]]. To attract more tourists, the government decided in 2005 to legalise [[gambling]] and to allow two [[Integrated Resort]]s to be developed at [[Marina South]] and Sentosa.<ref> {{cite web| title = Proposal to develop Integrated Resorts - Ministerial Statement by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on 18 April 2005| url = http://www.channelnewsasia.com/casino/text_pmlee.htm }} </ref> Other than the Integrated Resort, many other new developments are coming up that includes the [[Singapore Flyer]] and [[Gardens by the Bay]]. The government said that there are about 10 developments in Marina Bay currently. There have also been rumours about Singapore being another destination for [[Disneyland]] in the Asia after Hong Kong, and it has been named 'Singapore Disneyland'. The site of this theme park would most likely be at Marina Bay. {{fact}}
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The per capita GDP in 2005 was US$26,833 and the unemployment rate was 2.7 percent in 2006, with 124,000 new jobs being created in the first three quarters of 2006, a record high.  
  
Food in itself has been heavily promoted as an attraction for [[tourist]]s, and is usually promoted by various initiatives undertaken by the [[Singapore Tourism Board]] or the associations it deals with as one of Singapore's best attractions alongside [[shopping]]. The government organises the [[Singapore Food Festival]] in July annually to celebrate Singapore's cuisine. The multiculturalism of local food, the ready availability of international cuisine, and their wide range in prices to fit all budgets at all times of the day and year helps create a "food paradise" to rival other contenders claiming the same [[moniker]].  
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Exports totaled US$204.8 billion in 2005. Export commodities were machinery and equipment (including electronics), consumer goods, chemicals, and mineral fuels. Export partners were Malaysia (14.7 percent), US (11.5 percent), Indonesia (10.7 percent), Hong Kong (10.4 percent), China (9.5 percent), Japan (6 percent), Thailand (4.5 percent), Australia (4.1 percent).
{{seealso|Tourism in Singapore}}
 
  
==Military==
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Imports totaled US$188.3 billion in 2005. Import commodities were machinery and equipment, mineral fuels, chemicals, and foodstuffs. Import partners were Malaysia (14.4 percent), US (12.4 percent), China (10.8 percent), Japan (10.1 percent), Indonesia (5.5 percent), Saudi Arabia (4.7 percent), and South Korea (4.5 percent).
[[Image:Singapore Gurkha 01.jpg|thumb|250px|The [[Gurkha Contingent]] of the [[Singapore Police Force]], with its members recruited from [[Nepal]], is a [[counter-terrorism|counter-terrorist]] force in the country. Here, the officers join local officers in the annual Police Day Parade.]]
 
{{main|Military of Singapore|Total Defence}}
 
The military of Singapore serves primarily as a deterrent to potential invaders of the island. Singapore has mutual defence pacts with several countries, most notably the [[Five Power Defence Arrangements]]. Singapore subscribes to a philosophy of [[Total Defence]], in which five aspects of a holistic national defence are identified. Non-military aspects of total defence include [[Civil defense|civil defence]], which is carried out by the [[Singapore Civil Defence Force]]; 'economic defence', which stresses the need for a robust economy in order to maintain a viable society; 'psychological defence', which calls for a patriotic citizenry willing to do all in the name of its country; and 'social defence', in which the need for a population at harmony with itself and strongly identified with each other is emphasised.
 
  
The military of Singapore includes the [[Singapore Army]], the [[Republic of Singapore Navy]], and the [[Republic of Singapore Air Force]], collectively known as the [[Singapore Armed Forces]] (SAF). Various agencies of the [[Ministry of Defence (Singapore)|Ministry of Defence]] (MINDEF) and some private companies also play a supporting role. The military of Singapore is one of the most modern in Asia, with its advanced equipment and high level of training reflecting the continued emphasis of the government on military defence &mdash; military expenditures dominate the annual government budget.
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Singapore introduced a goods and services [[taxation|tax]] (GST) with an initial rate of 3 percent on April 1, 1994. This increased government revenue by $1.6 billion, stabilizing the government's finances. The government has used revenue from this tax to re-orient the economy around [[service economy|services]] and value added-goods to reduce dependence on [[electronics]] manufacturing. The GST was increased to 4 percent in 2003 and to 5 percent in 2004.
  
The recent rise in [[unconventional warfare]] and [[terrorism]] has cast increasing emphasis upon the non-military aspects of Total Defence. The [[Gurkha Contingent]], which is part of the [[Singapore Police Force]], is also a [[counter-terrorism|counter-terrorist]] force. Singapore's defence resources have been used in international [[humanitarianism|humanitarian]] aid missions, including [[peacekeeping|United Nations peacekeeping]] assignments in [[Kosovo]], [[Kuwait]] and [[East Timor]],<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.mindef.gov.sg/peacekeepers/peacekeepers.htm | title=Peacekeepers :: In the Service of Peace | accessdate=2006-05-01}}</ref> and participating in the [[multinational force in Iraq]].<ref>{{cite news | title = Singapore to send 192 military personnel to Iraq  | url = http://www.singapore-window.org/sw03/031027af.htm  | date = [[October 27]], [[2003]] | publisher = Agence France Presse}}</ref> One notable incident of terrorism in Singapore prior to its independence, was the [[MacDonald House bombing|bombing of MacDonald House]] during the [[Indonesia-Malaysia confrontation|Confrontation]] that took place between Malaysia and Indonesia in the early 1960's. More recently, the Shell Oil refinery on Bukom was attacked by members of the [[Japanese Red Army]] and the [[PFLP]] in the [[Laju incident|Laju Incident]] of 1974; and in 1991, the hijacking of [[Singapore Airlines Flight 117]] ended in the storming of the aircraft and the subsequent deaths of all four hijackers. A current concern is [[Jemaah Islamiyah]], a militant Islamic group operating in South East Asia known to be responsible for several bombings around the region, as well as planning in 2001 an ultimately foiled [[Singapore embassies attack plot|attack]] on American interests in Singapore.
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Singapore is a popular travel destination, making [[tourism]] one of its largest industries. 8.9 million and 9.5 million tourists visited Singapore in 2005 and 2006 respectively. The Orchard Road district, which is dominated by multi-story shopping centers and hotels, is the center of tourism. Cuisine has been heavily promoted as a tourist attraction, along with shopping. The government organizes the [[Singapore Food Festival]] each July.  
  
==Architecture==
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Singapore is an Asian transportation hub, and transportation accounts for over 10 percent of Singaporean GDP. The Port of Singapore was the world's busiest port in 2005 with 1.15 billion gross tons handled. Singapore's Changi Airport acts as a stopover point for the "Kangaroo route" between [[Australasia]] and [[Europe]]. A network of 81 airlines connected Singapore to 179 cities in 57 countries in 2005.  
[[Image:Singapore_Skyline.JPG|thumb|right|Skyline of the Central Business District]]
 
{{main|Architecture of Singapore}}
 
The architecture of Singapore is extremely varied and diverse. Due to the lack of available space, few historical buildings remain in the urban areas of Singapore. However, Singapore has become a centre for modern architecture as older buildings are cleared away to make space for newer, larger buildings. Historically, the demand for high-end buildings has been in and around the Central Business District (CBD). After decades of development, the CBD has become an area with many tall business buildings. These buildings comprise the skyline along the coast of Marina Bay and Raffles Place, which is a famous tourist attraction in Singapore. Due to the air restrictions in Singapore, {{fact}} no building in Singapore is to be taller than 280 metres. However, there have been rumours that one of the 3 tallest buildings is 283 metres tall. {{fact}}
 
  
A few signs of Singapore's colonial past remain in the form of "Black and White Houses". These large houses are situated further away from the CBD and were built in the early to mid 19th century. These homes were built to house the British generals and governers when Britain occupied the country. Later, they became home to many Japanese generals after the "fall of Singapore" during World War 2.
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[[Image:Kawasaki c751 eunos.jpg|thumb|200px|left|A Kawasaki Heavy Industries & Nippon Sharyo C751B train]] at Eunos MRT Station on the [[Mass Rapid Transit]] (MRT) system, one of three heavy rail passenger transport lines in Singapore.]]
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Singapore has a network of expressways. After a government study which predicted [[traffic congestion]] and [[air pollution]], the Land Transport Authority began to improve the bus service and allowed for more taxi operators. Since 1987, the heavy rail mass rapid transit metro system has been in operation, later augmented by the light rapid transit. The EZ-Link system allows non-contact smart cards to serve as stored value tickets. More than 2.8 million people use the bus network daily, while more than 1.3 million people use either the LRT or MRT as part of their daily routine. Tolls discourage private vehicle use in the central area.
  
 
==Demographics==
 
==Demographics==
[[Image:Sri Mariamman Temple 2, Dec 05.JPG|thumb|right|250px|Built in 1843, the [[Sri Mariamman Temple]] is the largest Hindu [[temple]] in Singapore. It is also one of the many religious buildings marked as [[National Monuments of Singapore|national monuments]] for their historical value.]]
 
{{main|Demographics of Singapore|Religion in Singapore}}
 
Singapore is the [[List of countries by population density|second most densely populated independent country in the world]] excluding Macau and Hong Kong which are parts of PRC. Eighty-four percent of Singaporeans live in public housing provided by the [[Housing and Development Board]] (HDB).<ref> {{cite web | title =  Sample Household Survey 2003 | publisher = Housing Development Board | accessdate = 2006-04-14 | url = http://www.hdb.gov.sg/fi10/fi10296p.nsf/PressReleases/DA75E3EC5C5D86804825705A00200B3E?OpenDocument }} </ref> Its population of 4.35 million (as of June 2005) is racially diverse. [[Chinese in Singapore|Singaporean Chinese]], the majority, account for 76.8% of Singaporeans. [[Malay Singaporean|Singaporean Malays]], who are the indigenous native group of the country, constitute 13.9%, though this number includes many Malay ethnic groups from other parts of the [[Malay archipelago]] including the [[Javanese]], [[Bugis]], [[Baweans]] and [[Minangkabau]]. [[Indian Singaporean]]s are the third largest ethnic group at 7.9%, consisting of several groups&mdash; Indian [[Tamil people|Tamils]] and [[Sri Lankan Tamils]], who form the largest Indian group, and others such as [[Malayali|Malayalees]], [[Punjabi people|Punjabis]] and [[Bengal]]is. The rest are made up of smaller groups such as [[Arab Singaporean]]s, Jews, Thais, Japanese, European and the [[Eurasian Singaporean]] community.<ref> {{cite web| title = Key Indicators of Resident Population by Ethnic Group | url = http://www.singstat.gov.sg/keystats/c2000/indicators.pdf | publisher = Singapore Department of Statistics }} </ref>
 
  
Singapore is also a multi-religious country, due mainly to its location on one of the world's major transportation routes. More than 40% of Singaporeans profess adherence to [[Buddhism]]. The large percentage may be due to a lack of distinction between Taoism and Buddhism; [[Taoism]], [[Confucianism]], Buddhism, and ancestral worship are merged into one religion by most of the Chinese population. Most Malays are [[Muslim]]. [[Christianity]] in Singapore consists of [[Roman Catholicism]] and various [[Protestant]] denominations, and comprises approximately 14% of the population. Other religions include [[Sikhism]], [[Hinduism]] and the [[Baha'i Faith]] followed mainly by those of Indian descent.<ref> {{cite web| title =  Religion, Census 2000 | url = http://www.singstat.gov.sg/keystats/c2000/religion.pdf | publisher = Singapore Department of Statistics }} </ref>
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[[Image:Sri Mariamman Temple 2, Dec 05.JPG|thumb|left|200px|Built in 1843, the Sri Mariamman Temple is the largest Hindu [[temple]] in Singapore. It is also one of the many religious buildings marked as [[National Monuments of Singapore|national monuments]] for their historical value.]]
 +
 
 +
Singapore is the second most densely populated independent country in the world. About 83 percent of Singaporeans live in public housing provided by the Housing and Development Board.
 +
 
 +
The largest group in the population of 4.48 million (as of June 2006) are the Singaporean Chinese who account for 76.8 percent of the population, making it one of the largest Chinese cities outside of China. Singaporean Malays, the indigenous native group of the country, constitute 13.9 percent. Indian Singaporeans are the third largest ethnic group at 7.9 percent, consisting of several groups &mdash; Indian Tamils and Sri Lankan Tamils, Malayalees, Punjabis and Bengalis. The rest are made up of Arab Singaporeans, Thais, Japanese, Europeans, and the Eurasian Singaporean community.
 +
 
 +
Singapore is a religious country. More than 40 percent of the population practice [[Buddhism]]. About 15 percent practice [[Christianity]] (mostly Chinese and Indians), and 15 percent profess no religion. [[Islam|Muslims]] (mostly Malays) account for 14 percent. A smaller minority practices [[Daoism]], [[Sikhism]], [[Hinduism]], [[Baha'i Faith]], and others.
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 +
The government of Singapore has been careful to maintain ethnic harmony after racial riots erupted in the 1960s. Racial harmony has been emphasized in all aspects of society, including the Singaporean education system, military, and housing. So far the policy has been largely successful, and there have been few signs of ethnic tension since the early 1970s. Current issues include the ban on wearing the Islamic headscarf in public schools.
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 +
The national language is [[Malay]], and it is used in the national anthem, "Majulah Singapura." The official languages are [[English]], [[Mandarin]], [[Malay]], and [[Tamil]]. Most public signs and official publications are in English. The local dialect of English is [[Singlish]], incorporating vocabulary and grammar from various Chinese dialects, Malay, and Indian languages. Singlish is spoken on the streets. English became widespread after it became the language of the education system. The government has introduced a "speak Mandarin campaign," "Hua Yu Cool," to promote Mandarin as a common language among the Chinese.  
 +
 
 +
After two decades of a [[family planning]] policy, Singapore is now facing the threat of an aging population with declining birth rates. The government provides financial incentives for the first to fourth child of each family.
  
The government of Singapore has been careful to maintain ethnic harmony after [[racial riots of Singapore|racial riots erupted in the 1960s]]. Racial harmony has been emphasized in all aspects of society, including the [[Education in Singapore|Singaporean education system]], military and housing. So far the policy has been largely successful, and there have been few signs of ethnic tension since the early 1970s. Current issues include the ban on wearing [[hijab|the Islamic headscarf]] in public schools. The national language of Singapore is [[Malay language|Malay]] for historical reasons, and it is used in the national anthem, "[[Majulah Singapura]]". The official languages are [[English language|English]], [[Standard Mandarin|Mandarin]], Malay and [[Tamil language|Tamil]]. English has been promoted as the country's language of administration since independence, and it is spoken by the majority of the population. Most public signs and official publication are in English although there are also translated versions in the other official languages. The government has introduced a [[Speak Mandarin Campaign]]- Hua Yu Cool - to promote Mandarin as a common language among the Chinese. <ref> {{cite web| url = http://www.mandarin.org.sg/smc/history.html?pg=8&mlid=8 | title = History & Background | publisher = Speak Mandarin Campaign.}} </ref>
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==Society and culture==
  
After two decades of a successful family planning policy, Singapore is now facing the threat of an aging population with declining birth rates. The government is encouraging Singaporeans to have more children through the provision of financial incentives for the first to fourth child of each family.<ref> {{cite web| title = Baby Bonus | url = http://www.babybonus.gov.sg/bbss/html/menu/bb1.html#ac_parent02 | publisher =  Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports | accessdate = 2006-04-14 }} </ref>
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[[Image:LavendarFC copy.jpg|thumb|250px|Enjoying [[Cuisine of Singapore|Singaporean cuisine]] is a national pastime. Hawker centers and kopi tiam]s are well-distributed throughout the country.]][[Rice]], [[fish]], [[chicken]], and [[vegetable]]s are the staples, mixed with a rich variety of [[spice]]s, [[chili]]s, [[coconut]]s, [[lime]], and [[tamarind]]. The variations are endless. Food is often eaten in food centers where food is cheap, tasty, and freshly made. Malay [[Muslim]]s do not eat [[pork]], Indian [[Hindu]]s do not eat [[beef]], and many [[Buddhist]] Chinese are [[vegetarian]]s. Many people do not drink [[alcohol]].
  
==Culture==
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Singapore has become a center for modern [[architecture]] as older buildings are cleared away to make space for newer, larger buildings along the coast of Marina Bay and Raffles Place. No building is to be taller than 920 feet (280 meters). A few signs of Singapore's colonial past remain in the form of "Black and White Houses," built in the early to mid nineteenth century to house the British generals and governors when [[Great Britain]] occupied the country. They became home to many Japanese generals during [[World War II]].
{{main|Culture of Singapore}}
 
[[Image:LavendarFC.JPG|thumb|250px|Enjoying [[Cuisine of Singapore|Singaporean cuisine]] is a national pastime. [[Hawker centre]]s and [[kopi tiam]]s are well-distributed throughout the country.]]
 
[[Image:CRW_6124.jpg|thumb|right|200px|The majority of Singaporeans live in planned estates of high-rise, high-density [[Housing and Development Board|HDB]] [[apartment|flats]].]]
 
Singapore is a small and relatively modern amalgam of [[Malays in Singapore|an indigenous Malay]] population with a [[Chinese in Singapore|third generation Chinese]] majority, as well as [[Indian Singaporean|Indian]] and [[Arab Singaporean|Arab]] immigrants with some intermarriages. There also exist [[Eurasian Singaporean|Eurasian]] and ''[[Peranakan]]'' (known also as 'Straits Chinese') communities. Singapore has also achieved a significant degree of [[cultural diffusion]] with its unique combination of these ethnic groups, and this has given Singapore a rich mixture of diversity for its young age. One of the prime examples is in [[Cuisine of Singapore|Singaporean cuisine]], often a cultural attraction for tourists.  
 
  
The [[English language|English]] used is primarily [[British English]], with some [[American English]] influences. The local colloquial [[dialect]] of English is [[Singlish]], which has many [[creole language|creole]]-like characteristics, having incorporated vocabulary and grammar from various [[Chinese dialects]], [[Malay language|Malay]], and [[India]]n languages. Singlish is spoken commonly on the streets, but the government frowns upon its use in official contexts. English became widespread in Singapore after it was implemented as a first language medium in the [[Education in Singapore|education system]], and English is the most common language in [[Literature of Singapore|Singaporean literature]].
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[[Image:CRW_6124.jpg|thumb|left|200px|The majority of Singaporeans live in planned estates of high-rise, high-density [[Housing and Development Board]] [[apartment]]s.]]  
  
Singapore has several ethnic neighbourhoods, including [[Little India, Singapore|Little India]] and [[Chinatown, Singapore|Chinatown]]. These were formed under the [[Raffles Plan of Singapore|Raffles Plan]] to originally segregate the immigrants, but now have a diverse patronage whose main intentions are to either eat or buy something specific to that culture. Many places of worship were also constructed during the colonial era, a practice encouraged by the British to promote religious tolerance. [[Sri Mariamman Temple]], the [[Masjid Jamae]] [[Mosque]] and the [[Church of Gregory the Illuminator]] are among those that were built during the colonial period. Work is now underway to preserve these religious sites as [[National Monuments of Singapore]]. The policy for the primarily commercial ethnic neighbourhoods stands in contrast to the housing policies of the [[Housing and Development Board]] (HDB). HDB policies attempt to promote a mix of all races within each housing district in order to foster social cohesion and national loyalty.<ref> {{cite web | url=http://www7.hdb.gov.sg/__48257038002F0DC7.nsf/0/77A56E2D21B93381482571470038C2DC?Open | title=Ethnic Group Eligibility, Housing Development Board InfoWEB | accessdate=2006-04-30}}</ref>
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Singapore has a Little India and a Chinatown, formed under the Raffles Plan to segregate immigrants. Many places of worship were constructed during the colonial era, a practice encouraged by the British to promote religious tolerance. Sri Mariamman Temple, the Masjid Jamae Mosque, and the Church of Gregory the Illuminator were built during the colonial period.  
  
Since the 1990s, the government has been striving to promote Singapore as a centre for arts and culture, including theatre and music, and to transform the country into a [[cosmopolitan]] and diverse community at the 'gateway between the East and West'.<ref> {{cite web | url=http://www.mica.gov.sg/renaissance/FinalRen.pdf | title=Renaissance City Report: Culture and the Arts in Renaissance Singapore (Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts) | accessdate=2006-05-01}}</ref> The highlight of these efforts was the construction of [[Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay]], a centre for performing arts that opened on [[October 12]], [[2002]]. <ref> {{cite web | url=http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Asia/Singapore/Singapore-1495679/Things_To_Do-Singapore-Esplanade_Theatres_by_the_Bay-BR-1.html | title=Virtual Tourist: Reviews of Esplanade (Theatres by the Bay) | accessdate=2006-03-28}}</ref>{{-}}
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The policy for the primarily commercial ethnic neighborhoods stands in contrast to the policies of the Housing and Development Board that attempt to promote a mix of all races within each housing district in order to foster social cohesion and national loyalty.
{{seealso|Sport in Singapore|Cuisine of Singapore}}
 
  
==Education==
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[[Primary education]] is compulsory in Singapore; the literacy rate is 95 percent. The Ministry of Education sets the standard for the school curriculum with a mix of [[private school|private]] and [[public school]]s. Students take the primary school leaving examination. Their performance in the examination is the main criteria in determining whether they enter their desired secondary schools. There have been complaints about excessive educational streaming at a young age.
{{main|Education in Singapore}}
 
[[Image:Nh-students.JPG|thumb|right|250px|Students having assembly in the hall of a Singapore [[Education in Singapore#Secondary education|secondary school]].]]
 
  
[[primary education|Primary]] education is [[compulsory education|compulsory]] in Singapore and as such the literacy rate is 95%.<ref> {{cite web | url=http://www.singstat.gov.sg/keystats/annual/sib/sib2006.pdf | title=Singapore in Brief 2006, Singapore Department of Statistics | accessdate=2006-05-01 | format=PDF}}</ref>. The standard for the school curriculum is set by the [[Ministry of Education (Singapore)|Ministry of Education]] with a mix of [[private school]]s and [[public school]]s. There is no strict public-private dichotomy: the degree of autonomy in regard to the curriculum and student admission, [[corporate welfare|government funding received]], and [[tuition]] burden upon the students is determined by a more specific classification system that includes classifications such as "government-run", "government-aided", "autonomous", "independent", and "privately-funded". <ref> {{cite web | url= http://www.moe.gov.sg/corporate/secondary_02.htm | title=Education System:Secondary | accessdate=2006-05-01 }}</ref> Some schools have more than one classification. Most of the "private" ( non government ) funded schools in Singapore tend to be "international schools" and are responsible for educating the small percentage of expatriates that are based in Singapore. Some of these schools include the [[United World College of South East Asia|UWCSEA]] ( United World College of South East Asia ), Tanglin Trust School, the Singapore American School and the Overseas Family school.  
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After [[secondary education]], a further set of examinations are taken which determine the next step to tertiary education. [[Junior college]] is a precursor for entry into the National University of Singapore, Nanyang Technological University, and Singapore Management University. There are polytechnics, where students will graduate with a diploma and may choose to move into the workforce or pursue higher education in public universities. There is teacher training college, various management institutes, and [[vocational education]] institutes.  
  
After primary education, students take the [[Primary School Leaving Examination]] (PSLE). Their performance in the examination is the main criteria in determining whether they enter their desired secondary schools.  
+
Singapore students took first place in the 1995, 1999, and 2003 Trends in International [[Mathematics]] and [[Science]] Study. They used the Singapore Math Primary Mathematics series. The national textbooks have been adapted into a series which has been successfully marketed in North America as a rival to other math programs and an alternative to controversial standards-based mathematics curricula.
  
There have also been complaints about excessive [[academic elitism|educational streaming]] at a young age; a popular local film, ''[[I Not Stupid]]'', highlights the competitiveness of the system and social stigma that students struggling with studies have to face. After secondary education, a further set of examinations are taken which determine which kind of [[Post-secondary education|tertiary education]] they pursue, such as [[junior college]], a precursor for entry into public universities such as [[National University of Singapore]], [[Nanyang Technological University]] and [[Singapore Management University]]. Other post-secondary institutions include [[polytechnic]]s, where students will graduate with a diploma and may choose to move into the workforce or pursue higher education in public universities such as those mentioned above. Other institutes include [[vocational education]] institutes such as the [[Institute of Technical Education]] (ITE).
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[[Image:Orchard Road light up Xmas 2005.JPG|200px|thumb|right|Orchard Road is a popular tourist attraction in Singapore. Every year, Orchard Road is brightly lit during Christmas, so that tourists can enjoy the night scene of the streets during this period of time.]]
 +
Singapore hosts an annual [[Singapore Arts Festival]]. In 2003, the Esplanade - "Theatres on the Bay," a center for performing arts, was opened. Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts and LASALLE-SIA College of the Arts offer full-time programs for the [[performing arts]].
  
==Transport==
+
Since the 1990s, a [[cinema|film industry]] has sprouted. Eric Khoo and Jack Neo, are two pioneering film makers. In particular, the movie ''I Not Stupid'' struck an emotional chord among many Singaporeans as its story highlighted many issues faced in a competitive society. In 2003, ten-year-old Megan Zheng became the first Singaporean actress to win the [[Taipei]] Film Festival Golden Horse Award for Best New Performer with her role in Jack Neo's movie ''Homerun.''
{{main|Transport in Singapore}}
 
[[Image:Kawasaki c751 eunos.jpg|thumb|250px|right|A [[Kawasaki Heavy Industries & Nippon Sharyo C751B Cars|C751B train]] at [[Eunos MRT Station]] on the [[Mass Rapid Transit (Singapore)|Mass Rapid Transit]] (MRT) system, one of three heavy rail passenger transport lines in Singapore.]]
 
[[Image:Singapore Changi Airport, Control Tower 2, Dec 05.JPG|thumb|250px|right|Singapore's [[Singapore Changi Airport|Changi International Airport]] is one of the largest aviation facilities in Asia, serving 179 cities in 57 countries.]]
 
[[Image:Singapore Business district night view.jpg|thumb|250px|The [[Esplanade Bridge]] spans across the mouth of the [[Singapore River]] in the [[Central Area]].]]
 
  
Singapore is a major Asian transportation hub, strategically lying on major sea and air trade routes. Its history has been closely tied to the growth of its transportation industry since the establishment of its port. The transportation industry comprises over 10% of Singaporean GDP despite an increasingly diversified economy. The [[Port of Singapore]], managed by port operators [[PSA International]] and [[Jurong Port]], was the world's busiest port in 2005 in terms of shipping tonnage handled with 1.15 billion [[gross ton]]s handled, and in terms of [[container (cargo)|container]]ised traffic, with 23.2 million [[Twenty-foot equivalent unit]]s (TEUs) handled. It was also the world's second busiest in terms of cargo tonnage, coming behind [[Shanghai]] with 423 million tons handled. In addition, Singapore is the world's busiest hub for transhipment traffic and the world's biggest ship refuelling hub.<ref> {{cite news | title = Singapore remains world's busiest port | url = http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2006-01/12/content_4045562.htm | date = 12 January 2006 | publisher = Xinhuanet }} </ref>
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Popular sports include [[soccer]], [[swimming]], [[badminton]], [[basketball]], and [[ping pong]] or table tennis. Most people live in public residential areas that often provide amenities including [[swimming pool]]s and outdoor basketball courts, as well as indoor sport centers that provide facilities for badminton, [[squash]], table tennis, [[gymnastics]], indoor basketball, and [[volleyball]], among others.
  
Singapore is a major aviation hub and an important stopover point for the '[[Kangaroo route]]' between [[Australasia]] and [[Europe]]. [[Singapore Changi Airport]] has a network of 81 airlines connecting Singapore to 179 cities in 57 countries (2005). It is one of the top five airports in Asia in terms of passengers handled, with 30 million passengers passing through in 2004. It has been consistently rated as one of the best international airports by numerous international travel magazines. It was also rated as the world's best airport in year 2006 by [[Skytrax]], defeating its long time rival, [[Hong Kong International Airport]].<ref> {{cite web | title =2006 Airport of the Year result | accessdate=2006-06-01 | url = http://www.worldairportawards.com/Awards-2006/AirportYear-2006.htm }} </ref> A low-cost terminal, the Budget Terminal, which started operation in March 2006<ref> {{cite news | title =  Singapore opens budget air terminal  | url = http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_asiapacific_business/view/199976/1/.html | date = 26 March 2006 | publisher = Channel NewsAsia }} </ref> and a third passenger terminal now under construction will increase the airport's total annual capacity to 66.7 million passengers by 2008. The national carrier [[Singapore Airlines]] (SIA) is internationally renowned for its service and will be the first airline in the world to fly the new [[Airbus A380]] commercially.
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In the realm of spectator sport, [[football (world)|soccer]] is king. Singapore has its own professional soccer (football) league. Launched in 1996, the S.League now consists of 10 teams competing in stadiums around the country. In 1998 and 2004, the Singapore national football team became the champions of the Tiger Cup, the premier football competition in [[Southeast Asia]].
  
The backbone of domestic transport infrastructure is the [[road transport in Singapore|road transport system]] which includes a [[expressways of Singapore|network of expressways]] that form the arteries between distinct towns and [[regional centre (Singapore)|regional centres]] as laid out in [[urban planning in Singapore|Singapore's urban planning]]. Following a government study assisted by the [[United Nations Development Programme]] which foresaw problems with private transport such as [[traffic congestion]] and [[air pollution]] as the city grew, <ref> {{cite paper | url = http://csur.t.u-tokyo.ac.jp/ws2004/papers/B2-Fwa.pdf | author = Tien Fang Fwa | title = SUSTAINABLE URBAN TRANSPORTATION PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT &mdash; Issues and Challenges for Singapore | date = [[September 4|4 September]] [[2004]] | accessdate= 2006-05-01 |publisher = [[University of Tokyo]] }} </ref> the Land Transport Authority began a series of measures to develop the use of the [[public transport in Singapore|public transport system]] such as improving the [[Bus transport in Singapore|nation's bus service]] and liberalising the hired vehicle market to allow for more taxi operators. Since 1987, the heavy rail passenger [[Mass Rapid Transit (Singapore)|Mass Rapid Transit]] (MRT) [[metro]] system has been in operation. MRT was later augmented by and linked to the [[Light Rapid Transit (Singapore)|Light Rapid Transit]] (LRT) [[light rail]] system, which provides service to several expanses of housing estates. The [[EZ-Link]] system allows contactless [[Smart card|smartcards]] to serve as stored value tickets for use in the public transport systems. More than 2.8 million people use the bus network daily, while more than 1.3 million people use either the LRT or MRT as part of their daily routine. <ref name="dailyridership"/> Approximately 900,000 people use the taxi services daily. Private vehicle use in the Central Area is discouraged by tolls implemented through an [[Electronic Road Pricing]] system which operates during hours of heavy road traffic.
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Singapore has won only one [[Olympics|Olympic medal]], a silver medal at the 1960 Rome Summer Olympics by weightlifter Tan Howe Liang.  
  
==References==
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A National Physical Fitness Award (NAPFA) was introduced in 1982, a scheme which requires all  primary and secondary students to participate. The government sponsors the Singapore Sports School which opened in 2004, combining a reduced [[curriculum]] with professional training in each student's preferred sport.
<div class="references-small">
 
<!-- essays?
 
* {{cite book | author = Cherian George | title = Singapore: The Air-Conditioned Nation. Essays on the Politics of Comfort and Control | publisher = Landmark Books | year = 2000 | id = ISBN 981306546X}} —>
 
* {{cite book | author = Diane K. Mauzy & R. S. Milne | title = Singapore Politics: Under the People's Action Party | publisher = Routledge | year = 2002 | id = ISBN 0-415-24653-9}}
 
* {{cite web | title = Census 2000 | work = Singapore Department of Statistics | url = http://www.singstat.gov.sg/keystats/people.html#hhlds | accessdate =11 January | accessyear = 2000}}
 
* {{cite web | title = Key Facts & Figures | work = Ministry of Transport, Singapore | url = http://www.mot.gov.sg/ | accessdate = 11 January | accessyear = 2003}}
 
* {{cite web | title = Nation's History | work = Singapore Infomap | url = http://www.sg/explore/history.htm | accessdate = 11 January | accessyear = 2004}}
 
* ''This article incorporates public domain text from the websites of Singapore Department of Statistics, United States Department of State, [http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/sgtoc.html the United States Library of Congress] & [[The World Factbook|CIA World Factbook]] (2004).''
 
</div>
 
  
 
==Notes==
 
==Notes==
{{IndicText}}
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<references/>
{{portal}}
 
<div class="references-small"><references/></div>
 
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== External links ==
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==References==
{{sisterlinks|Singapore}}
 
{{commonscat|Singapore}}
 
*[http://www.wikimapia.org/#y=1345015&x=103819427&z=11&l=0&m=a WikiSatellite view of Singapore at WikiMapia]
 
*[http://www.sgdi.gov.sg/ Singapore Government Directory Interactive]
 
*[http://www.gov.sg/ Singapore Government Online Portal]
 
*[http://www.ecitizen.gov.sg/ Gateway To All Government Services]
 
*[http://www.sg/ Singapore Infomap]
 
*[http://web.amnesty.org/report2005/sgp-summary-eng Amnesty International's 2005 report on Singapore]
 
*[https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/sn.html CIA World Factbook Entry for Singapore]
 
*[http://www.visitsingapore.com Singapore Tourist Guide]
 
*{{wikitravel}}
 
*[http://tokyoahead.com/main/article.php/singapore More pictures from Singapore]
 
  
[[Image:Singapore river panorama2.JPG|thumb|center|550px|Panoramic view of the [[Singapore River]]. Once centre of trade and commerce as the [[port of Singapore]] during its colonial times, it is now a tourist spot with numerous bars, pubs, and seafood along the river.]]
+
* George, Cherian. ''Singapore: The Air-Conditioned Nation. Essays on the Politics of Comfort and Control.'' Landmark Books, 2000. ISBN 981306546X
 +
* Lee, Edwin (ed.). ''A History of Singapore''. Oxford University Press, 1991. ISBN 0195889177
 +
* Mauzy, Diane K. & R. S. Milne. ''Singapore Politics: Under the People's Action Party.'' Routledge, 2002. ISBN 0415246539
 +
* Pakir, Anne. ''Bilingual education with English as an official language: Sociocultural implications.'' Wash. DC: Georgetown University Press, 1999.
 +
* Powell, Robert. ''Singapore Architecture: A short history.'' Hong Kong: Periplus Editions (HK) Ltd, 2004. ISBN 0794602320
 +
* Worthington, Ross. ''Governance in Singapore.'' New York; London: Routledge/Curzon, 2002. ISBN 070071474X.
  
{{ASEAN}}
+
== External links ==
{{Asia}}
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All links retrieved September 21, 2015.
{{Singapore topics}}
 
{{Singapore ties}}
 
  
{{coor title dm|01|22|N|103|48|E|type:city}}
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*[https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/resources/the-world-factbook/geos/sn.html Singapore] - ''CIA World Factbook''
 +
*[http://www.everyculture.com/Sa-Th/Singapore.html Singapore] ''Countries and Their Cultures''
 +
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Revision as of 19:45, 21 September 2015

Republic of Singapore
新加坡共和国 (Chinese)
Republik Singapura
சிங்கப்பூர் குடியரசு
Motto: 
"Majulah Singapura" Template:Ms icon
"Onward, Singapore"
Anthem: Majulah Singapura
"Onward, Singapore"
CapitalSingapore
(Downtown Core, Central)1
1°17′N 103°50′E / 1.283, 103.833
Official language(s) English
Malay
Chinese
Tamil
Official scripts English alphabet
Malay alphabet
Simplified Chinese
Tamil script
Demonym Singaporean
Government Parliamentary republic
 -  President Tony Tan Keng Yam
 -  Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong
 -  Speaker of Parliament Michael Palmer
 -  Chief Justice Chan Sek Keong
Legislature Parliament
Formation
 -  Founding 6 February 1819[1] 
 -  Self-government 3 June 1959[2] 
 -  Independence from the United Kingdom 31 August 1963[3] 
 -  Merger with Malaysia 16 September 1963[3] 
 -  Separation from Malaysia 9 August 1965[3] 
Area
 -  Total 694 km2 (191st)
268 sq mi 
 -  Water (%) 1.444
Population
 -  2011 census 5,183,700 (of whom 3,257,000 are Singapore citizens)[4] 
 -  Density 7,126[5]/km2 (3rd)
18,943/sq mi
GDP (PPP) 2010 estimate
 -  Total $291.9 billion[6] (41st)
 -  Per capita $62,100[6] (5th)
GDP (nominal) 2010 estimate
 -  Total $222.7 billion[7] 
 -  Per capita $43,867[8] (15th)
Gini (2009) 47.8[6] (29th)
HDI (2010) Green Arrow Up (Darker).png 0.846[9] (very high) (27th)
Currency Singapore dollar (SGD)
Time zone SST (UTC+8)
Date formats dd/mm/yyyy
Drives on the left
Internet TLD .sg
Calling code +65
1 Singapore is a city-state.
2 STD code 02 from Malaysia.

Singapore, officially the Republic of Singapore, is an island nation and the smallest country in Southeast Asia. It is located on the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, south of the Malaysian state of Johor, and north of the Indonesian Riau Islands. It lies 85 miles (137 kilometers) north of the Equator.

According to folklore, a prince named Sang Nila Utama was caught in a storm that did not cease until he threw his crown into the water. He sailed to the closest island and the first animal he saw was a lion. He named the island Singapura. The name Singapore is derived from the Malay language words singa (lion) and pura (city). Hence, Singapore is also known as the Lion City.

The site of ancient port cities and a possession of several empires, over the past 40 years Singapore has transformed itself from a poor, politically volatile state into an economic powerhouse. According to the Economist Intelligence Unit quality-of-life index, Singapore has the highest standard of living in Asia, and is ranked 11th in the world, and is the world's 22nd wealthiest country.

A long period of stable government, investment in housing and education, and pragmatic and pro-active policies have created a modern nation that exists on the cutting edge of technological progress.

Geography

Singapore, which consists of 63 islands, is slightly more than 3.5 times the size of Washington, DC. Land reclamation has resulted in an increase of land area from 224 square miles (581.5 square kilometers) in the 1960s to 269 square miles (697.2 square kilometers) in 2007. About 23 percent of Singapore's land area consists of forest and nature reserves.

The Johor-Singapore Causeway connects Singapore to Malaysia in the north, crossing the Tebrau Straits; and Malaysia-Singapore Second Link is a bridge from western Singapore to Johor. The highest point of Singapore is Bukit Timah Hill, with a height of 538 feet (166 meters).

File:Singapore botanic garden pond.jpg
Singapore Botanic Gardens, a 166 acre (.7 sq km) botanical garden in Singapore that includes the National Orchid Garden which has a collection of more than 3000 species of orchids.

Singapore has a tropical rainforest climate with no distinct seasons, characterized by uniform temperature and pressure, high humidity, and abundant rainfall. Temperatures range from 72F to 93F (22C to 34C). On average, the relative humidity is around 90 percent in the morning and 60 percent in the afternoon. During prolonged heavy rain, relative humidity often reaches 100 percent.

The only remaining area of primary rainforest is the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve. A variety of parks are maintained, such as the Singapore Botanic Gardens. With no natural freshwater rivers and lakes, rainfall, collected in reservoirs, supplies approximately 50 percent of water. The remainder is imported from Malaysia or obtained from recycled water, a product called NEWater, and desalination plants.

New towns built since the 1960s have resulted in an entirely built-up and urban landscape. About 83 percent of Singapore's population lives in housing estates constructed by the Housing and Development Board.

As a result of controls on motorized traffic, the maintenance of natural greenery, and strict regulations on industrial locations and emissions, Singapore has been able to control its pollution levels to within World Health Organization standards.

History

Chinese texts from the third century C.E. contain the first records of Singapore's existence. The island was an outpost of the Sumatran Srivijaya empire and originally bore the Javanese name Temasek (which means sea town). Temasek became a significant trading city. Between the sixteenth and early nineteenth centuries, Singapore was a part of the Sultanate of Johore. During the Malay-Portugal wars in 1613, Portuguese troops set fire to Singapore.

Statue of Thomas Stamford Raffles by Thomas Woolner, erected at the spot where he first landed at Singapore. He is recognized as the founder of modern Singapore.

In 1819, Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, an official with the British East India Company, signed a treaty with the Sultan of Johore, and established Singapore as a trading post and settlement, bringing instant growth and immigration. Britain made Singapore a crown colony in 1867, and later an entrepot town, due to its strategic location along the busy shipping routes connecting Europe to China.

During World War II, the Imperial Japanese Army invaded Malaya and attacked Singapore. The British, despite having more troops, were not prepared for an attack through the dense Malayan jungle and surrendered on February 15, 1942. The Japanese renamed Singapore Shōnan and occupied it until the British repossessed the island on September 12, 1945, after the Japanese surrender.

Singapore became a self-governing state in 1959 with Yusof bin Ishak as its first head of state and Lee Kuan Yew from the People's Action Party as its first prime minister. Following a 1962 merger referendum, Singapore joined Malaysia along with Malaya, Sabah, and Sarawak in September 1963, but was expelled after heated ideological conflict with the federal government in Kuala Lumpur. It gained official sovereignty on August 9, 1965, which later became Singapore's National Day. Yusof bin Ishak was sworn in as the first President and Lee Kuan Yew remained as Prime Minister.

File:Singapore.jpg
The Downtown Core of Singapore at dusk

The fledgling nation faced mass unemployment, housing shortages, and lack of land and natural resources, including petroleum. New Minister of Finance Goh Keng Swee adopted a strategy to encourage investment with tax incentives and the establishment of a large industrial estate in Jurong. The education system was revamped to train a skilled workforce and the English language was promoted over the Chinese language.

Lee Kuan Yew, during his term as prime minister from 1959 to 1990, curbed unemployment, raised the standard of living, and implemented a large-scale public housing program. The country's economic infrastructure was developed, the threat of racial tension was eliminated, and an independent national defense system was created. Singapore evolved from a developing nation to a global city with first-world status by the end of the twentieth century.

In 1990, Goh Chok Tong succeeded Lee as prime minister. During his tenure, the country tackled the economic impacts of the 1997 Asian financial crisis and the 2003 severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) outbreak, as well as terrorist threats posed by the militant Islamic group Jemaah Islamiah post-September 11 attacks and the Bali bombings.

In 2004 Lee Hsien Loong, the eldest son of Lee Kuan Yew, became the third Prime Minister.

Politics and government

File:Singapore Parliament House.jpg
Singapore Parliament House

The politics of Singapore takes place in a framework of a parliamentary republic, whereby the Prime Minister of Singapore is the head of government, and of a pluriform multi-party system.

The president had largely a ceremonial role until 1991, when constitutional changes meant the president would be directly elected, by popular vote, for a six-year term. The president has veto powers in a few key decisions such as the use of the national reserves and the appointment of key judiciary positions.

The cabinet forms the executive, and is answerable to the Parliament. The President appoints the Prime Minister, and 16 cabinet ministers, on the advice of the Prime Minister.

A unicameral Parliament with the President as its head makes up the legislature. The 84 members of Parliament are elected for a maximum five-year term, and represent either single-member constituencies or group representation constituencies, in which political parties field a team of between three to six candidates. At least one candidate in the team must belong to a minority race. Voting has been compulsory in Singapore since 1959. Paper ballots are still used.

In the general election in 2006, the incumbent People's Action Party (PAP) won 82 of the 84 seats. The PAP has dominated Singaporean politics since 1959. Some foreign analysts and several opposition parties have argued that Singapore is a de facto one-party state. The Economist Intelligence Unit listed Singapore as a country with a hybrid system of democratic and authoritarian elements.

The Supreme Court consists of the Court of Appeal and the High Court. The President appoints the Chief Justice, judges of appeal, judicial commissioners and High Court judges from candidates recommended by the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister must consult the Chief Justice before recommending the judges.

The Constitution is the supreme law, and cannot be amended without the support of more than two-thirds of parliament. The President may seek opinion on constitutional issues from a tribunal consisting of at least three Supreme Court judges. Part XII of the Constitution allows the Parliament of Singapore to enact legislation designed to prevent subversion. The Internal Security Act is a law under such provision. In 1966, Chia Thye Poh, an alleged communist activist member of Parliament, was detained under this act and was imprisoned for 23 years without trial.

Singapore's laws derive from British and British Indian laws, and include many elements of English common law. Laws restricting the freedom of speech are justified by claims that they are intended to prohibit speech that may breed ill will or cause disharmony within Singapore's multiracial, multi-religious society. For example, in September 2005, three bloggers were convicted of sedition for posting racist remarks targeting minorities, with one sentenced to one day in jail; the second to one month; the third sentenced to probation.

The Gurkha Contingent of the Singapore Police Force, with its members recruited from Nepal, is a counter-terrorism unit. Here, the officers join other members of the local constabulary in the annual Police Day Parade.

Some offenses can lead to heavy fines or caning. First-degree murder and drug trafficking receive the death penalty. Amnesty International has criticized Singapore for having the highest execution rate in the world per capita.

The PAP's policies have some socialist aspects. The Housing Development Board oversees a large-scale public housing program and there is a rigorous compulsory public education system. Government-linked companies dominate the media, utilities, and public transport. Transparency International has consistently rated Singapore as the least-corrupt country in Asia.

Singapore has mutual defense pacts with several countries, most notably the Five Power Defense Arrangements. Singapore subscribes to a philosophy of Total Defense, in which five aspects of national defense are identified: Civil defense; economic defense (a robust economy); psychological defense (a patriotic citizenry); and "social defense" (a population at harmony with itself).

The Singapore Armed Forces, which includes the army, navy, and air force, is one of the most modern in Asia, with advanced equipment and high level of training reflecting the fact that military expenditure dominates the government budget annually. The Gurkha Contingent, which is part of the Singapore Police Force, is a counter-terrorist force. Singapore's defense resources have been used in United Nations peacekeeping assignments in Kosovo, Kuwait, and East Timor.

Economy

Singapore's Central Business District (CBD), where there is the fourth largest exchange center in the world. The piece of green land facing the CBD would be half the site of the future Integrated Resort.
Singapore's national icon, the Merlion can be seen in the CBD and Sentosa.
Panoramic view of the Singapore River. Once center of trade and commerce as the port of Singapore during its colonial times, it is now a tourist spot with numerous bars, pubs, and seafood restaurants along the river.

Singapore has a highly developed market-based economy, and is a developed nation. It ranks 25th on the Human Development Index (HDI) which measures standards of living, and second in the Index of Economic Freedom. Singapore's gross domestic product (GDP), per capita, is equal to that of the major European countries. Singapore is also the fourth largest foreign exchange trading center in the world after London, New York City and Tokyo. The geographically small nation has foreign exchange reserves of more than S$197 billion (US$119 billion).

The city-state employs thousands of foreign workers—Indians, Malaysians, and Filipinos. It requires talent from outside to fill the various jobs the economy is generating, most of which are in the information technology and financial sectors. The government offers easy processing time for permanent residency or citizenship.

The economy depends heavily on exports produced from refining imported goods. Manufacturing, which contributes around 28 percent of GDP, includes electronics, chemicals, mechanical engineering, and biomedical sciences. Along with Hong Kong, South Korea, and Taiwan, Singapore's fast-paced industrialization earned it a place as one of the four original "East Asian Tigers."

In 2001, a global recession and slump in the technology sector caused the GDP to contract by 2.2 percent. The Economic Review Committee set up in December 2001 recommended policy changes to revitalize the economy. Improvements in the world economy led to an economic growth rate in Singapore of 8.3 percent in 2004, 6.4 percent in 2005, and 7.7 percent in 2006.

The per capita GDP in 2005 was US$26,833 and the unemployment rate was 2.7 percent in 2006, with 124,000 new jobs being created in the first three quarters of 2006, a record high.

Exports totaled US$204.8 billion in 2005. Export commodities were machinery and equipment (including electronics), consumer goods, chemicals, and mineral fuels. Export partners were Malaysia (14.7 percent), US (11.5 percent), Indonesia (10.7 percent), Hong Kong (10.4 percent), China (9.5 percent), Japan (6 percent), Thailand (4.5 percent), Australia (4.1 percent).

Imports totaled US$188.3 billion in 2005. Import commodities were machinery and equipment, mineral fuels, chemicals, and foodstuffs. Import partners were Malaysia (14.4 percent), US (12.4 percent), China (10.8 percent), Japan (10.1 percent), Indonesia (5.5 percent), Saudi Arabia (4.7 percent), and South Korea (4.5 percent).

Singapore introduced a goods and services tax (GST) with an initial rate of 3 percent on April 1, 1994. This increased government revenue by $1.6 billion, stabilizing the government's finances. The government has used revenue from this tax to re-orient the economy around services and value added-goods to reduce dependence on electronics manufacturing. The GST was increased to 4 percent in 2003 and to 5 percent in 2004.

Singapore is a popular travel destination, making tourism one of its largest industries. 8.9 million and 9.5 million tourists visited Singapore in 2005 and 2006 respectively. The Orchard Road district, which is dominated by multi-story shopping centers and hotels, is the center of tourism. Cuisine has been heavily promoted as a tourist attraction, along with shopping. The government organizes the Singapore Food Festival each July.

Singapore is an Asian transportation hub, and transportation accounts for over 10 percent of Singaporean GDP. The Port of Singapore was the world's busiest port in 2005 with 1.15 billion gross tons handled. Singapore's Changi Airport acts as a stopover point for the "Kangaroo route" between Australasia and Europe. A network of 81 airlines connected Singapore to 179 cities in 57 countries in 2005.

A Kawasaki Heavy Industries & Nippon Sharyo C751B train

at Eunos MRT Station on the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system, one of three heavy rail passenger transport lines in Singapore.]]

Singapore has a network of expressways. After a government study which predicted traffic congestion and air pollution, the Land Transport Authority began to improve the bus service and allowed for more taxi operators. Since 1987, the heavy rail mass rapid transit metro system has been in operation, later augmented by the light rapid transit. The EZ-Link system allows non-contact smart cards to serve as stored value tickets. More than 2.8 million people use the bus network daily, while more than 1.3 million people use either the LRT or MRT as part of their daily routine. Tolls discourage private vehicle use in the central area.

Demographics

Built in 1843, the Sri Mariamman Temple is the largest Hindu temple in Singapore. It is also one of the many religious buildings marked as national monuments for their historical value.

Singapore is the second most densely populated independent country in the world. About 83 percent of Singaporeans live in public housing provided by the Housing and Development Board.

The largest group in the population of 4.48 million (as of June 2006) are the Singaporean Chinese who account for 76.8 percent of the population, making it one of the largest Chinese cities outside of China. Singaporean Malays, the indigenous native group of the country, constitute 13.9 percent. Indian Singaporeans are the third largest ethnic group at 7.9 percent, consisting of several groups — Indian Tamils and Sri Lankan Tamils, Malayalees, Punjabis and Bengalis. The rest are made up of Arab Singaporeans, Thais, Japanese, Europeans, and the Eurasian Singaporean community.

Singapore is a religious country. More than 40 percent of the population practice Buddhism. About 15 percent practice Christianity (mostly Chinese and Indians), and 15 percent profess no religion. Muslims (mostly Malays) account for 14 percent. A smaller minority practices Daoism, Sikhism, Hinduism, Baha'i Faith, and others.

The government of Singapore has been careful to maintain ethnic harmony after racial riots erupted in the 1960s. Racial harmony has been emphasized in all aspects of society, including the Singaporean education system, military, and housing. So far the policy has been largely successful, and there have been few signs of ethnic tension since the early 1970s. Current issues include the ban on wearing the Islamic headscarf in public schools.

The national language is Malay, and it is used in the national anthem, "Majulah Singapura." The official languages are English, Mandarin, Malay, and Tamil. Most public signs and official publications are in English. The local dialect of English is Singlish, incorporating vocabulary and grammar from various Chinese dialects, Malay, and Indian languages. Singlish is spoken on the streets. English became widespread after it became the language of the education system. The government has introduced a "speak Mandarin campaign," "Hua Yu Cool," to promote Mandarin as a common language among the Chinese.

After two decades of a family planning policy, Singapore is now facing the threat of an aging population with declining birth rates. The government provides financial incentives for the first to fourth child of each family.

Society and culture

Enjoying Singaporean cuisine is a national pastime. Hawker centers and kopi tiam]s are well-distributed throughout the country.

Rice, fish, chicken, and vegetables are the staples, mixed with a rich variety of spices, chilis, coconuts, lime, and tamarind. The variations are endless. Food is often eaten in food centers where food is cheap, tasty, and freshly made. Malay Muslims do not eat pork, Indian Hindus do not eat beef, and many Buddhist Chinese are vegetarians. Many people do not drink alcohol.

Singapore has become a center for modern architecture as older buildings are cleared away to make space for newer, larger buildings along the coast of Marina Bay and Raffles Place. No building is to be taller than 920 feet (280 meters). A few signs of Singapore's colonial past remain in the form of "Black and White Houses," built in the early to mid nineteenth century to house the British generals and governors when Great Britain occupied the country. They became home to many Japanese generals during World War II.

The majority of Singaporeans live in planned estates of high-rise, high-density Housing and Development Board apartments.

Singapore has a Little India and a Chinatown, formed under the Raffles Plan to segregate immigrants. Many places of worship were constructed during the colonial era, a practice encouraged by the British to promote religious tolerance. Sri Mariamman Temple, the Masjid Jamae Mosque, and the Church of Gregory the Illuminator were built during the colonial period.

The policy for the primarily commercial ethnic neighborhoods stands in contrast to the policies of the Housing and Development Board that attempt to promote a mix of all races within each housing district in order to foster social cohesion and national loyalty.

Primary education is compulsory in Singapore; the literacy rate is 95 percent. The Ministry of Education sets the standard for the school curriculum with a mix of private and public schools. Students take the primary school leaving examination. Their performance in the examination is the main criteria in determining whether they enter their desired secondary schools. There have been complaints about excessive educational streaming at a young age.

After secondary education, a further set of examinations are taken which determine the next step to tertiary education. Junior college is a precursor for entry into the National University of Singapore, Nanyang Technological University, and Singapore Management University. There are polytechnics, where students will graduate with a diploma and may choose to move into the workforce or pursue higher education in public universities. There is teacher training college, various management institutes, and vocational education institutes.

Singapore students took first place in the 1995, 1999, and 2003 Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study. They used the Singapore Math Primary Mathematics series. The national textbooks have been adapted into a series which has been successfully marketed in North America as a rival to other math programs and an alternative to controversial standards-based mathematics curricula.

Orchard Road is a popular tourist attraction in Singapore. Every year, Orchard Road is brightly lit during Christmas, so that tourists can enjoy the night scene of the streets during this period of time.

Singapore hosts an annual Singapore Arts Festival. In 2003, the Esplanade - "Theatres on the Bay," a center for performing arts, was opened. Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts and LASALLE-SIA College of the Arts offer full-time programs for the performing arts.

Since the 1990s, a film industry has sprouted. Eric Khoo and Jack Neo, are two pioneering film makers. In particular, the movie I Not Stupid struck an emotional chord among many Singaporeans as its story highlighted many issues faced in a competitive society. In 2003, ten-year-old Megan Zheng became the first Singaporean actress to win the Taipei Film Festival Golden Horse Award for Best New Performer with her role in Jack Neo's movie Homerun.

Popular sports include soccer, swimming, badminton, basketball, and ping pong or table tennis. Most people live in public residential areas that often provide amenities including swimming pools and outdoor basketball courts, as well as indoor sport centers that provide facilities for badminton, squash, table tennis, gymnastics, indoor basketball, and volleyball, among others.

In the realm of spectator sport, soccer is king. Singapore has its own professional soccer (football) league. Launched in 1996, the S.League now consists of 10 teams competing in stadiums around the country. In 1998 and 2004, the Singapore national football team became the champions of the Tiger Cup, the premier football competition in Southeast Asia.

Singapore has won only one Olympic medal, a silver medal at the 1960 Rome Summer Olympics by weightlifter Tan Howe Liang.

A National Physical Fitness Award (NAPFA) was introduced in 1982, a scheme which requires all primary and secondary students to participate. The government sponsors the Singapore Sports School which opened in 2004, combining a reduced curriculum with professional training in each student's preferred sport.

Notes

  1. Chew, Ernest (1991). in Edwin Lee: A History of Singapore. Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-588917-7. 
  2. Hoe Yeen Nie. "State of Singapore came into being 50 years ago on 3 June", 2 June 2009. Retrieved October 28, 2011.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 Leitch Lepoer, Barbara (1989). Singapore as Part of Malaysia. Library of Congress Country Studies. Government Printing Office. Retrieved October 28, 2011.
  4. Statistics Singapore, Key Demographic Indicators, 1970 – 2011. Retrieved October 28, 2011.
  5. Statistics Singapore, Key Annual Indicators Retrieved October 28, 2011.
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 World Factbook – Singapore. U.S. Central Intelligence Agency. Retrieved October 28, 2011.
  7. Time Series on GDP Data at Current Market Prices. Statistics Singapore (17 February 2011). Retrieved October 28, 2011.
  8. Time Series on Per Capita GDP at Current Market Prices. Statistics Singapore (17 February 2011). Retrieved October 28, 2011.
  9. Human Development Report 2010. United Nations (2010). Retrieved October 28, 2010.

References
ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

  • George, Cherian. Singapore: The Air-Conditioned Nation. Essays on the Politics of Comfort and Control. Landmark Books, 2000. ISBN 981306546X
  • Lee, Edwin (ed.). A History of Singapore. Oxford University Press, 1991. ISBN 0195889177
  • Mauzy, Diane K. & R. S. Milne. Singapore Politics: Under the People's Action Party. Routledge, 2002. ISBN 0415246539
  • Pakir, Anne. Bilingual education with English as an official language: Sociocultural implications. Wash. DC: Georgetown University Press, 1999.
  • Powell, Robert. Singapore Architecture: A short history. Hong Kong: Periplus Editions (HK) Ltd, 2004. ISBN 0794602320
  • Worthington, Ross. Governance in Singapore. New York; London: Routledge/Curzon, 2002. ISBN 070071474X.

External links

All links retrieved September 21, 2015.

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