Area:
659.9 sq kilometres (254.8 sq miles).
Population:
4,131,200 (official estimate 2001).
Population
Density: 6,260.3 per sq kilometre.
Capital:
Singapore City. Population: 3,163,500
(1998).
Geography: Singapore is the
island located off the southern tip of the
Malay Peninsula, to which it is connected by a causeway carrying
a railway, road, and waterpipe. The Johor Strait between the island
and the mainland is situated about 1 kilometre or 0.8 mile wide. The Republic
of Singapore consists of 64 islets. It is a mostly flat country with
low lying hills, the highest is Bukit Timah at 163 metres or 545 feet. Large
areas have been reclaimed in the northeast of the island, and most
of the original jungle and swamp covering the low-lying areas has
been cleared.
Government:
Republic. Gained full independence from the UK in 1965.
Head of State: President Sellapan Ramanathan since
1999.
Head of Government: Prime Minister Goh
Chok Tong since 1990.
Language:
The four official languages are Malay (the national language), English,
Chinese (Mandarin) and Tamil. The majority of Singaporeans are bilingual
and speak English, which is used for business and administration.
Religion: Taoist,
Buddhist, Christian, Hindu and Muslim.
Time:
GMT + 8.
Electricity:
220/240 volts AC, 50Hz. Plug fittings of the three-pin square type
are used. Many hotels also have 110-volt outlets. |
