Singapore: The Lion City

 
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Overview

Flag  
Singapore

Anthem Majulah Singapura
Watch on youtube (with lyrics)
Official language(s) English / Malay / Mandarin Chinese / Tamil
 
Demonym
 

Singaporean
Government Parliamentary republic
Area 710.2 km2, 274.2 sq mi
Population ~ 5 million
Currency Singapore dollar (SGD)
Internet TLD .sg

Geography

Singapore
Singapore is an island in South Asia. It is off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, 137 kilometres (85 mi) north of the equator. It is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north, and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the Singapore Strait to its south.
Singapore
Singapore is an island city-state. That means that the whole island functions as a single city. About 5 million people live and work in Singapore.

Society and culture

Singapore has a very diverse population. Therefore, Singaporean culture has often been described as a mix of cultures – British, Malay, Chinese, Indian and Peranakan.

Population

Singapore is the second most densely populated country in the world after Monaco. Approximately 42% of the population in Singapore are foreigners. Most foreigners come from China, Malaysia, Philippines, North America, Middle East, Europe, Australia, Bangladesh and India. Around 74% of Singapore's residents are Chinese, 13.4% are Malays, 9.2% Indians.

Languages

Singapore has four official languages: English, Malay, Mandarin Chinese and Tamil. English is the most dominant language in Singapore. The spelling and vocabulary used are primarily those of British English. Mandarin Chinese is also widely spoken in Singapore. Malay is spoken by 25% of the population, Tamil by only 5%.

Religion

Buddhism is the dominant religion in Singapore. 42.5% of the population of Singapore is Buddhist. Other religions include Islam (14,9%), Christianity (14.6%), Taoism (8.5%) and Hinduism (4%). Around 14% of the population claim to have no religion.

Government and politics

Singapore is a parliamentary republic. It has a unicameral government. The Constitution of Singapore establishes representative democracy as the nation's political system. The People's Action Party (PAP) dominates the political process. The executive power rests with the cabinet, headed by the Prime Minister.

Economy

Singapore has a highly developed economy. Along with Hong Kong, South Korea and Taiwan, Singapore is one of the Four Asian Tigers. The economy depends heavily on exports and refining imported goods. Singapore has one of the busiest ports in the world. The state is the world's fourth largest foreign exchange trading centre after London, New York and Tokyo. Singapore's economy has been ranked amongst the world's ten most open, competitive and innovative economies.
 

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