Portal:Singapore
![]() Map of Singapore Singapore,officially theRepublic of Singapore,is anisland countryandcity-stateinmaritime Southeast Asia.It is about onedegree of latitude(137 kilometres or 85 miles) north of theequator,off the southern tip of theMalay Peninsula,bordering theStrait of Malaccato the west, theSingapore Straitto the south along with theRiau IslandsinIndonesia,theSouth China Seato the east, and theStraits of Johoralong with theState of JohorinMalaysiato the north. The country's territory comprises onemain island,63 satellite islands and islets,andone outlying islet;the combined area of these has increased by approximately 25% since the country's independence as a result of extensiveland reclamationprojects. It has thethird highest population density of any country in the world,although there are numerous green and recreational spaces as a result ofurban planning.With a multicultural population and in recognition of the cultural identities of the major ethnic groups within the nation, Singapore has fourofficial languages:English,Malay,Mandarin,andTamil.English is thecommon language,with exclusive use in numerouspublic services.Multi-racialismis enshrined in the constitution and continues to shapenational policiesin education, housing, and politics.
Singapore'shistorydates back at least eight hundred years, having been a maritimeemporiumknown asTemasekand subsequently a major constituent part of several successivethalassocraticempires. Its contemporary era began in 1819, whenStamford Rafflesestablished Singapore as anentrepôttrading post of theBritish Empire.In 1867, Singapore came under the direct control of Britain as part of theStraits Settlements.DuringWorld War II,Singapore wasoccupied by Japanin 1942 and returned to British control as a separateCrown colonyfollowingJapan's surrenderin 1945. Singapore gainedself-governancein 1959 and, in 1963, became part of the new federation ofMalaysia,alongsideMalaya,North Borneo,andSarawak.Ideological differencesled to Singapore's expulsion from the federation two years later; Singapore became an independentsovereign countryin 1965. After early years ofturbulenceand despite lacking natural resources and ahinterland,the nation rapidly developed to become one of theFour Asian Tigers.With its growth based oninternational tradeandeconomic globalisation,it integrated itself with theworld economythroughfree tradewith minimaltrade barriersandtariffs,export-oriented industrialisation,and the large accumulation ofreceived foreign direct investments,foreign exchange reserves,andassets held by sovereign wealth funds.As a highlydeveloped country,it has one of thehighest GDP per capita (PPP)in the world. Identified as atax haven,Singapore is the only country in Asia with a AAAsovereign credit ratingfromall major rating agencies.It is a majoraviation,financial,andmaritime shippinghub and has consistently been ranked as one of themost expensive citiesto live in forexpatriatesandforeign workers.Singapore ranks highly in key social indicators:education,healthcare,quality of life,personal safety,infrastructure,andhousing,with ahome-ownership rateof 88 percent.Singaporeansenjoy one of thelongest life expectancies,fastest Internet connection speeds,lowest infant mortality rates,andlowest levels of corruptionin the world. Singapore is aparliamentary republicin theWestminster traditionofunicameralparliamentary government, and its legal system is based oncommon law.While the country isde jureamulti-party democracywithfree elections,thegovernmentunder thePeople's Action Party(PAP) wields widespread control andpolitical dominance.The PAP has governed the country continuously since full internalself-governmentwas achieved in 1959, and holds asupermajorityinParliament.One of the five founding members ofASEAN,Singapore is also the headquarters of theAsia-Pacific Economic CooperationSecretariat, thePacific Economic Cooperation CouncilSecretariat, and is the host city of manyinternational conferences and events.Singapore is also a member of theUnited Nations,theWorld Trade Organization,theEast Asia Summit,theNon-Aligned Movement,and theCommonwealth of Nations.(Full article...)Selected article -![]() Kent Ridge Parkis a 47-hectarepublic park located inKent Ridge,Singapore,between theNational University of Singaporeand theSingapore Science Park.Due to its undisturbedhabitatand abundant plant life, it is a popular venue forbird-watchersandeco-tourists. During theSecond World War,a hill in the park was the site of one of the last and fiercest battles fought by theMalay Regimentagainst the invadingJapanesearmy, theBattle of Bukit Chandu(also known as theBattle of Pasir Panjang), 12–14 February 1942. (Full article...)Selected picturePhotograph credit:Chensiyuan TheSingapore National Day Paradeis a nationalceremonyin Singapore that takes place each year on 9 August tocommemorate the country's independence.The firework display seen here was part of the festivities in 2011, held atThe Float @ Marina Bay,the world's largest floating stage and football stadium, located on the waters of theMarina Reservoir.In the foreground on the right is thelotus-flower-shapedArtScience Museum,situated withinMarina Bay Sands,anintegrated resortthat opened in the same year.
General imagesThe following are images from various Singapore-related articles on Wikipedia.
Selected biography -
Glenn Jeyasingam Knight(born 1945) is a Singaporean lawyer. He was the first Director of theCommercial Affairs Department(CAD) when it was founded in 1984. He lost his post in 1991 after being convicted of corruption in a much-publicised trial. In 1998, he was again tried and convicted formisappropriatingmoney while in office. (Full article...)
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Selected panoramaThe skyline of Singapore'sCentral Business Districtin daytime. Notable landmarks in the picture includes the new and oldSupreme Court of Singaporeand theskyscrapersin theMarina Bay area. Singapore topicsRelated portalsSoutheast Asia Other Countries Tasks![]()
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