Singapore is an island country off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula located approximately 137 kilometers north of the equator, in the Southeast Asian region of the Asian continent. It comprises the main island of Singapore and some 63 offshore islands. The main island has a total land area of 682 square km.
History
The first records of settlement in Singapore are from the 2nd century AD under the rule of Emperor Sumatran Srivijaya and originally had the Javanese name Teamsek ('sea town'). Between the 16th and early 19th centuries, Singapore was part of the Sultanate of Johar. In 1613, Portuguese riders burnt down the settlement at the mouth of Singapore River and the island sank into obscurity for the next two centuries.
The British entered Singapore in 1819 to develop the southern part of Singapore as a British trading post and settlement. It officially became a British colony in August 1824 by a treaty signed by the British East India Company and Malay Sultan who was controlling the Island Territory.
Singapore declared independence from Britain unilaterally in August 1963 and officially gained sovereignty on 9th August 1965.
Economy
Singapore has a highly developed market-based 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, especially in manufacturing and includes significant electronics, petroleum refining, chemicals, mechanical engineering and bio-medical science sectors.
Singapore has one of the busiest ports in the world and is the world's fourth largest foreign exchange trading center after London, New York and Tokyo. The World Bank ranks Singapore as the world's top logistics hub.
Singapore's economy has been ranked amongst the world's ten most open, competitive and innovative. Rated as the most business-friendly economy in the world, Singapore is a hub of many Multinational companies.
Singapore has a tropical rainforest climate with no distinctive seasons,uniform temperature and pressure, high humidity, and abundant rainfall.Temperatures range from 22 to 34 °C (71.6 to 93.2 °F).
Mayand June are the hottest months, while November and December make up the wettermonsoon season. However, there is rainfall throughout the year. From August toOctober, there is often haze, sometimes severe enough to prompt public healthwarnings, due to bush fires in neighbouring Indonesia.
Culture
Due to its diverse population and immigrant background, Singaporean culture hasoften been described as a mix of cultures – British, Malay, Chinese, Indian andPeranakan. Foreigners also make up 42% of the population in Singapore and theyplay an important role in influencing Singaporean culture.