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conventional long form: Republic
of Singapore
conventional short form: Singapore
Singapore City State. Population: 4.6
million (2007).
Southeastern Asia, islands between
Malaysia and Indonesia
697.1 sq km (269 sq miles).
4.6 million (official figure 2007).
Description:
The island of Singapore is situated off the southern extremity of the
Malay Peninsula, to which it is joined by causeways carrying road,
railway and water pipe. The Johor Strait between the island and the
Malaysian mainland is about 1km (0.8 miles) wide. The Republic of
Singapore consists of 63 islands and islets. It is a mainly flat
country with low hills, the highest being Bukit Timah at 163m (545ft).
In the northeast of the island, and in the urban district, large areas
have been reclaimed, and much of the original jungle and swamp
covering the low-lying areas has been cleared.
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Mandarin Chinese, English, Malay and
Tamil. Most Singaporeans are bilingual and speak English, which is
used as the main language of communication.
Economy - overview:
Singapore's economy relies on entrep?�t trade, shipbuilding and
repairing, oil refining, electronics and information technology,
banking and finance and, to a lesser extent, tourism. From the late
1970s, the government promoted export-oriented and service
industries with the intention of making Singapore a regional
economic hub. The importance of trade to the economy cannot be
overstated: the total value of Singapore's trade is almost three
times its GDP (compared with 17% of GDP in the case of Japan).
Vibrant economic activity more than compensates for Singapore's lack
of natural resources. There is a little agriculture, with the
cultivation of plants and vegetables, and some fishing; however,
most foodstuffs and raw materials have to be imported. Singapore's
only significant natural resource is its natural harbour, which is
the busiest in the world. This accounts in part for the high level
of Singapore's re-export trade, which accounts for almost half of
all trade.
Economy:
Singapore's economy relies on entrep?�t trade, shipbuilding and
repairing, oil refining, electronics and information technology,
banking and finance and, to a lesser extent, tourism. From the late
1970s, the government promoted export-oriented and service
industries with the intention of making Singapore a regional
economic hub. The importance of trade to the economy cannot be
overstated: the total value of Singapore's trade is almost three
times its GDP (compared with 17% of GDP in the case of Japan).
Vibrant economic activity more than compensates for Singapore's lack
of natural resources. There is a little agriculture, with the
cultivation of plants and vegetables, and some fishing; however,
most foodstuffs and raw materials have to be imported. Singapore's
only significant natural resource is its natural harbour, which is
the busiest in the world. This accounts in part for the high level
of Singapore's re-export trade, which accounts for almost half of
all trade.
electronics, chemicals, financial
services, oil drilling equipment, petroleum refining, rubber
processing and rubber products, processed food and beverages, ship
repair, offshore platform construction, life sciences, entrepot
trade
Exports:
Machinery and equipment, consumer goods, chemicals and mineral
fuels. • Main trade partners: China (PR), Hong Kong (SAR), Japan,
Korea (Rep) and Malaysia.
Imports:
Machinery and equipment, mineral fuels, chemicals and food.
Exchange rates:
GDP :
US$134 billion (2007).
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