| Global Cost of Living Rank |
| CIA Background Information |
Singapore was founded as a British trading colony in 1819. It joined the Malaysian Federation in 1963 but separated two years later and became independent. Singapore subsequently became one of the world's most prosperous countries with strong international trading links (its port is one of the world's busiest in terms of tonnage handled) and with per capita GDP equal to that of the leading nations of Western Europe.
| U.S. State Department Description |
Country Description:
Singapore is a small, stable, highly developed country with an elected parliamentary system of government. Tourist facilities are modern and widely available. Singapore's resident population of over 4.6 million inhabitants (including permanent residents and foreign workers) comprises 75% Chinese, 14% Malay, 9% Indian and 2% others. English is widely spoken. Criminal penalties are strict and law enforcement rigorous; see sections on “Entry/Exit Requirements,” “Special Circumstances,” and “Criminal Penalties,” below, for further details. Read the Department of State Background Notes
on Singapore for additional information.
ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: A valid passport is required. U.S. citizens do ... Read this Article
People
Population (2007): 4.59 million (including permanent residents, foreign workers).
Annual growth rate (2007): 4.3% (total); 1.6% (Singapore citizens and permanent residents).
Ethnic groups: Chinese 75.0%, Malays 13.7%, Indians 8.8%.
Religions: Buddhist, Taoist, Muslim, Christian, Hindu.
Languages: English, Mandarin and other Chinese dialects, Malay, Tamil.
Education: Years compulsory--six. Attendance--96.1%. Literacy--95.7%.
Health (2007): Infant mortality rate--2.1/1,000. Life expectancy--78.2 yrs. male, 82.9 ... Read this Article
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Location: Singapore is Southeastern Asia, islands between Malaysia and Indonesia See Map
Capital: name: Singapore
geographic coordinates: 1 17 N, 103 51 E
time difference: UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Currency (Code): Singapore dollar (SGD) ...More
Area: total: 692.7 sq km , land: 682.7 sq km , water: 10 sq km ( 1 sq km is approximately 0.4 sq miles or 250 acres)
Area Comparison: slightly more than 3.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Elevation Extremes: lowest point: Singapore Strait 0 m , highest point: Bukit Timah 166 m (1 meter = 3.28 feet)
Population: 4,608,167 (July 2008 est.)
Unemployment: 2.1% (2007 est.)
Ethnic Groups: Chinese 76.8%, Malay 13.9%, Indian 7.9%, other 1.4% (2000 census)
Religion: Buddhist 42.5%, Muslim 14.9%, Taoist 8.5%, Hindu 4%, Catholic 4.8%, other Christian 9.8%, other 0.7%, none 14.8% (2000 census)
Languages: Mandarin 35%, English 23%, Malay 14.1%, Hokkien 11.4%, Cantonese 5.7%, Teochew 4.9%, Tamil 3.2%, other Chinese dialects 1.8%, other 0.9% (2000 census)
More Statistics
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| History
Although Singapore's History dates from the 11th century, the island was little known to the West until the 19th century, when in 1819, Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles arrived as an agent of the British East India Company. In 1824, the British purchased Singapore Island, and by 1825, the city of Singapore had ... Read this Article
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| Geographic Info for Singapore : |
Geography
Area: 704 sq. km. (271 sq. mi.).
Cities: Capital--Singapore (country is a city-state).
Terrain: Lowland.
Climate: Tropical.
People
Population (2007): 4.59 million (including permanent residents, foreign workers).
Annual growth rate (2007): 4.3% (total); 1.6% (Singapore citizens and permanent residents).
Ethnic groups: Chinese 75.0%, Malays 13.7%, Indians 8.8%.
Religions: Buddhist, Taoist, Muslim, Christian, Hindu.
Languages: English, Mandarin and other Chinese ... Read this Article
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