Singapore
Singapore, officially known as the Republic of Singapore, is an island city-state in Southeast Asia. Here is an in overview:
Geography
- Singapore lies one degree north of the Equator, off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, and is surrounded by Malaysia to the north and Indonesia to the south.
- It comprises one main island along with 63 other smaller islands, with a total land area of 728.3 square kilometers.
History
- History of Singapore traces back to its establishment as a British trading post in 1819 by Sir Stamford Raffles.
- It became an independent nation on August 9, 1965, after separating from Malaysia due to political and economic differences.
- Under the leadership of its first Prime Minister, Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore rapidly developed from a third-world country to a first-world economy.
Economy
- Singapore has a highly developed and successful free-market economy, characterized by stable prices and a per capita GDP higher than that of most developed countries.
- The economy depends heavily on exports, particularly in consumer electronics, information technology products, pharmaceuticals, and financial services.
- It is one of the world's leading financial centers, with the Singapore Stock Exchange being one of the largest in Asia.
Culture
- The population is diverse with Chinese, Malay, Indian, and Eurasian communities, making Singapore a multicultural society.
- Four official languages are recognized: English, Mandarin, Malay, and Tamil, with English being the lingua franca for commerce, government, and education.
- Singapore is known for its festivals like Chinese New Year, Deepavali, Hari Raya Puasa, and Christmas, reflecting its cultural diversity.
Politics
- Singapore operates as a parliamentary republic where the President is the head of state, while the Prime Minister is the head of government.
- The political landscape has been dominated by the People's Action Party (PAP) since independence.
Education
Transportation
- Singapore has a highly efficient public transportation system including buses, the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT), and taxis.
- It's also a major aviation hub with Changi Airport being one of the busiest in the world.
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