| Name of Country |
Republic of Singapore |
| Land Area |
647.5 km (consisting of main
island and about 63 off shove islands)
Singapore is situated between latitudes 1 09' N and 1
29' N and longitudes 103 36' E and 104 25' E, approximately
137 kms north of the equator. Peninsular Malaysia is to
the north, Sarawak and Sabah to the East and Indonesia
to the West and South. |
| Population |
3,044,300 (June 1996)
Population Density:
5,032 persons per sq.km (1997)
Population Composition:
15 years and below - 22.8%
15-60 years - 67.2%
60 and over - 10.0%
Median age of population (1996) - 32.2 years
Sex ratio - 1012 males per 1000 females |
| Life Expectancy (1997) |
Total population - 78.15 years
Males - 75.14 years
Females - 81.4 years |
| Languages |
Malay, Chinese (Mandarin), Tamil and English
are official languages. Malay is the national language
and English is the language of administration. More and
more Singapore residents are multilingual with more than
45% literate in more than two languages. English is the
most spoken language. |
Religion
|
Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism and Christianity |
| Ethnic Make-up (1996) |
Chinese - 77.3%, Malays - 14.1%, Indians
- 7.3%, Other - 1.3% |
| Education |
Adult literacy rate
Males - 96.4%
Females - 87.8%
Enrolment rate for primary, secondary and tertiary education
(6-22 years) - 80.5% (1997) |
| Capital |
Singapore City |
| Climate |
An equatorial country with relatively uniform
temperature, abundant rainfall and high humidity throughout
the year. The average daily relative humidity is 84.3%.
In the afternoons it usually falls between 60 and 70%.
There are two main seasons, the North East monsoon season
(December to March) and the South West monsoon season
(June to September), separated by two relatively short
inter-monsoon seasons. Singapore has an average of 180
lightning days a year, particularly from April to November
when there are pre-dawn thunderstorms known as sumatras,
which strike with frightening intensity at 3 or 4 times
a month.
Temperature: 28C - 32C |
| Public Holidays |
New Year Day - January 01
Chinese New Year (02 days)
Good Friday - May 01
Labour Day - August 09
National Day - December 25 and 26
Christian, Hindu and Muslim religious holidays including
Hari Raya Puasa (Ramazan Festival) and Hari Raya Haj (Haj
Festival).
Vesak Day and Deepavali vary from year to year. |
| Working Hours |
Government - 8 a.m to 5 p.m (Monday to
Friday).
Most businesses - 9 a.m to 5 p.m (Monday to Friday).
Banks - 10 a.m to 3 p.m (Monday to Friday), 11 a.m to
4 p.m on Saturdays and some are open on Sundays from 9.30
a.m to 3 p.m.
Shops - 9.30 a.m to 9 p.m (7 days a week). Appointments
must be made in advance and punctuality is important.
Visiting cards are essential. |
| Time Difference with
Sri Lanka |
+2 hours |
| Visa Requirement |
Citizens of the Commonwealth countries
USA and western Europe do not need visas. Singapore Immigration
issues a 14-day visit pass to other visitors, if they
meet entry requirements. Where a visa is required, the
requirement is relaxed only for some transit passengers.
Vaccination certificates are required for travellers who
within the preceding 6 days have been in or passed through
any country in which yellow fever is prevalent. Polio,
hepatitis A, typhoid and tetanus inoculation is required.
Immunization against Hepatitis B and diphtheria may also
be recommended. |
| Weights and Measures |
The metric system is used |
| Exchange Rate |
The unit of currency is the Singapore Dollar
(s$)
100 cents = 1s$
Exchange rate (1998)
| 1 US$ |
1.70 s$ |
| 1 L |
2.77 s$ |
| 1 s$ |
40.01SL Rs. |
|
| Government |
Republic with a parliamentary cabinet system
and a unicameral parliament with number of seats fixed
at 83. |
| Conditions bearing
on Trade |
The People's Action Party (PAP) has been
in power since independence in 1965. On the back of successful
economic policies that produced rapid growth, dominates
the country's legislative body and the political situation
is extremely stable. Despite a small population and no
natural resources, Singapore has promoted economic development
actively encouraging foreign investment, drawing on strengths
that include its strategic location in Asia, its economic
liberalization policies (no exchange controls, no trade
restrictions, freedom of corporate activities and free
movement of capital and earnings), a skilled workforce,
the government's industrial policy and a solid infrastructure. |
