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- Singapore is a tiny city state country which lies at the southern tip of West Malaysia and consists of one main island and almost 60 small islets. To its north, connected by a causeway, lies Malaysia. To its south is Java and to its west is Sumatra (both in Indonesia).
- The 618 sq kms (239 sq miles) main island measures a maximum 42 kms from east to west and 23 kms from north to south. The smaller islands - raise the nation's total area to 659.1 sq kms (253 sq miles).
- Singapore's modern history dates from 1819 when a British East India Company officer named Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles stepped ashore on the banks of the Singapore River and founded the most important trading post of the British Empire.
- Its population is about 4 million comprising of about 75% Chinese, 15% Malays, 7% Indians & rest mixed races of Americans & Europeans etc.
- It has almost 100% literacy, and all of them speak English. Main spoken language is English. Besides, Mandarin, Malay & Tamil are also spoken by the respective races.
- Singapore was part of Malaysia until 9th Aug, 1965 when Malaysia decided Singapore to be a separate and independent state by itself. Hence 9th August is Singapore's National Day.
- When separated, Singapore was one of the poor countries in Asia. Under the leadership of its great leader Mr. Lee Kuan Yew (Prime Minister from 1965 to 1990, Senior Minister onwards), Singapore has become from third world country to a first world country - a modern, wealthy and advanced country. You will see a very impressive skyline of most advanced buildings at Shenton Way / Raffles City - a down town area.
- Being a tropical country near equator its average temperature remains about 24 degrees minimum and 32 degrees maximum throughout the year, that is, neither too hot nor too cold - just nice. If to someone, it's a bit hot, please give a second thought, you'll virtually be in an air-conditioned atmosphere as indoors are all air-conditioned here - houses, offices, shopping centres, buses, trains, taxis. Rain falls almost evenly thruoughout the year with slightly heavier rainfall from November to January.
- Singapore has given great importance to greenery. You will see well-mowed grass and well-planned rows of tree plantation all over the city. Appropriately, it is also known as 'garden city'.
- Its main exports are petroleum products and electronics. Electronics sector makes up 43% of total manufacturing sector. Electronics here does not mean the consumer electronic products like TV's, VCR's, Audio etc. It is manufacturing of chips, computers & related products, PCB assembly etc.
- Singapore is a major shipping hub.
- With a crude processing capacity of more than a million barrels a day, Singapore has been ranked the world's third largest oil refining centre since 1980s. The city State is now also emerging as the third biggest oil trading market in the world. - source http://www.apoil.com.sg/AboutAP.htm .
- Per Capita GNI in 2004 - S$41,513 (US$24,560) - Source : http://www.singstat.gov.sg/keystats/hist/gnp.html
Per Capita GDP in 2004 - S$42,581(US$25,191) - Source : http://www.singstat.gov.sg/keystats/hist/gdp.html
- Its currency is Singapore Dollar.
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