Singapore 27318 226184996 2008-07-17T05:57:59Z Mnmazur 6909589 {{pp-semi-vandalism|expiry=December 9, 2008|small=yes}} {{IPA|}}<!-- This article is NOT written in US-English. Please do not change it to US-English contrary to [[WP:ENGVAR]]: "An article on a topic that has strong ties to a particular English-speaking nation uses the appropriate variety of English for that nation." --> <!--Please add DETAILS to the various topic-specific articles, NOT here. We're trying to keep the main article under 80K in size. Appropriate photos, however, are welcome.--> {{Infobox Country |native_name = <span style="line-height:1.5em;"><br/>''Republik Singapura'' {{ms icon}}<br/> 新加坡共和国 {{zh-cn icon}}<br/> சிங்கப்பூர் குடியரசு {{ta icon}} |conventional_long_name = Republic of Singapore |common_name = Singaporeucdavis.edu/mn/more.php?id=1633_0_3_0 Malaysia, Singapore]</ref> |image_flag = Flag of Singapore.svg |image_coat = Singapore coa.svg |symbol_type = Coat of Arms |image_map = LocationSingapore.png |national_motto = ''"Majulah Singapura"''{{spaces|2}}{{ms icon}}<br/>"Onward, Singapore" |national_anthem = ''[[Majulah Singapura]]'' ||capital = Singapore City ([[Downtown Core]]){{smallsup|1}} |official_languages = [[English language|English]]&nbsp;<br/>[[Malay language|Malay]]&nbsp;<br/>[[Standard Mandarin|Mandarin]]&nbsp;<br/>[[Tamil language|Tamil]] |demonym = Singaporean |latd=1|latm=17|latNS=N|longd=103|longm=51|longEW=E |government_type = [[Parliamentary republic]] |leader_title1 = [[President of Singapore|President]] |leader_name1 = [[Sellapan Ramanathan]] |leader_title2 = [[Prime Minister of Singapore|Prime Minister]] |leader_name2 = [[Lee Hsien Loong]] |sovereignty_type = [[Independence]] |established_event1 = City status |established_date1 = [[July 24]] [[1951]] |established_event2 = Self-government<br/>{{nowrap|under the [[United Kingdom]]}} |established_date2 = <br/>[[3 June]] [[1959]]<ref name="UT">{{cite web| url= http://inic.utexas.edu/asnic/countries/singapore/Singapore-History.html| title= Singapore: History| publisher= Asian Studies Network Information Center| accessdate= 2007-11-02}}</ref> |established_event3 = [[Declaration of independence]] |established_date3 = [[31 August]] [[1963]] |established_event4 = Merger with [[Malaysia]] |established_date4 = [[16 September]] [[1963]] |established_event5 = {{nowrap|Separation from Malaysia}} |established_date5 = [[9 August]] [[1965]] |area_rank = 190th |area_magnitude = 1_E8 |area_km2 = 707.1 |area_sq_mi = 270 <!--Do not remove per [[WP:MOSNUM]]--> |percent_water = 1.444 |population_estimate = 4,588,600<ref name="stats">{{cite web| url= http://www.singstat.gov.sg/stats/latestdata.html| title= Population - latest data| date= 2008-05-30| publisher=Singapore Department of Statistics Singapore| accessdate= 2008-05-31}}</ref> |population_estimate_year = 2007 |population_estimate_rank = 117th |population_census_year = 2000 |population_census = 4,117,700 |population_density_km2 = 6,489 |population_density_sq_mi = 16,392 <!--Do not remove per [[WP:MOSNUM]]--> |population_density_rank = 2nd |GDP_PPP_year = 2007 |GDP_PPP = US$228.116 billion |GDP_PPP_rank = 44th |GDP_PPP_per_capita = US$49,714 |GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 6th |GDP_nominal = US$171.95 billion<ref>[http://www.singstat.gov.sg/stats/latestdata.html GDP Latest Data] - Singapore Department of Statistics Singapore ([[2008]]-[[02]]-[[14]]) retrieved on [[2008]]-[[02]]-[[16]]</ref> |GDP_nominal_year = 2007 |GDP_nominal_per_capita = US$39,952.44 |HDI_year = 2007 |HDI = {{steady}} 0.922 |HDI_rank = 25th |HDI_category = <font color="#009900">high</font> |currency = [[Singapore dollar]] |currency_code = SGD |time_zone = [[Singapore Standard Time|SST]] |utc_offset = +8 |time_zone_DST = not observed |utc_offset_DST = +8 |cctld = [[.sg]] |calling_code = 65 |calling_code_note = ² |footnote1 = Singapore is a [[city-state]]. |footnote2 = 02 from Malaysia. }} '''Singapore''' ([[Mandarin (linguistics)|Mandarin]]: 新加坡, ''Xīnjiāpō''; in [[Malay language|Malay]]: Singapura; in [[Tamil language|Tamil]]: சிங்கப்பூர், ''Cingkappūr''), officially the '''Republic of Singapore''', is an [[island country]] located at the southern tip of the [[Malay Peninsula]]. It lies 137 kilometres (85&nbsp;mi) north of the [[equator]], south of the [[Malaysia]]n state of [[Johor]] and north of [[Indonesia]]'s [[Riau Islands]]. At 707.1 km² (272 sq mi). Singapore is one of three remaining true [[city-state]]s in the world. It is the smallest nation in [[Southeast Asia]]. Prior to European settlement, the island now known as Singapore was the site of a [[Malays in Singapore|Malay]] fishing village at the mouth of the [[Singapore River]]. Several hundred indigenous [[Orang Laut]] people also lived along the nearby coast, rivers and on smaller islands. In 1819 the [[British East India Company]] established a trading post on the island, which was used thereafter as a strategic trading post along the [[spice route]].<ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.visitsingapore.com/publish/stbportal/en/home/getting_around/tours_in_singapore/ethnic___cultural/flavours_of_singapore.html| title= Flavours of Singapore |work= Uniquely Singapore| publisher= [[Singapore Tourism Board]]| accessdate= 2007-04-13}}</ref> Singapore would become one of the most important commercial and military centres of the British Empire, and the hub of British power in Southeast Asia. The city was [[Japanese Occupation of Singapore|occupied by the Japanese]] during [[World War II]], which [[Winston Churchill]] called "Britain's greatest defeat".<ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.strategypage.com/militaryforums/30-18346.aspx| title= "The 30 Greatest Battles of World War II}}</ref> Singapore reverted to British rule immediately postwar, in 1945. Eighteen years later the city, having achieved independence from Britain, merged with [[Federation of Malaya|Malaya]], [[Sabah]] and [[Sarawak]] to form [[Malaysia]]. However, less than two years later it seceded from the federation and became an independent [[republic]] on [[9 August]] [[1965]]. Singapore joined the [[United Nations]] on [[September 21]] that same year. Since independence, Singapore's [[standard of living]] has been on the rise. [[Foreign direct investment]] and a state-led drive to industrialization based on plans drawn up by the Dutch economist [[Albert Winsemius]] have created a modern economy focused on electronics manufacturing, petrochemicals, tourism and financial services alongside traditional [[entrepôt]] trade. Singapore is the 6th wealthiest country in the world in terms of [[GDP per capita]].<ref> {{cite web| url= http://imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2007/01/data/weorept.aspx?sy=2005&ey=2005&ssd=1&sort=subject&ds=.&br=1&pr1.x=46&pr1.y=10&c=512%2C941%2C914%2C446%2C612%2C666%2C614%2C668%2C311%2C672%2C213%2C946%2C911%2C137%2C193%2C962%2C122%2C674%2C912%2C676%2C313%2C548%2C419%2C556%2C513%2C678%2C316%2C181%2C913%2C682%2C124%2C684%2C339%2C273%2C638%2C921%2C514%2C948%2C218%2C686%2C963%2C688%2C616%2C518%2C223%2C728%2C516%2C558%2C918%2C138%2C748%2C196%2C618%2C278%2C522%2C692%2C622%2C694%2C156%2C142%2C624%2C449%2C626%2C564%2C628%2C283%2C228%2C853%2C924%2C288%2C233%2C293%2C632%2C566%2C636%2C964%2C634%2C182%2C238%2C453%2C662%2C968%2C960%2C922%2C423%2C714%2C935%2C862%2C128%2C716%2C611%2C456%2C321%2C722%2C243%2C965%2C248%2C718%2C469%2C724%2C253%2C576%2C642%2C936%2C643%2C961%2C939%2C813%2C644%2C199%2C819%2C184%2C172%2C524%2C132%2C361%2C646%2C362%2C648%2C364%2C915%2C732%2C134%2C366%2C652%2C734%2C174%2C144%2C328%2C146%2C258%2C463%2C656%2C528%2C654%2C923%2C336%2C738%2C263%2C578%2C268%2C537%2C532%2C742%2C944%2C866%2C176%2C369%2C534%2C744%2C536%2C186%2C429%2C925%2C178%2C746%2C436%2C926%2C136%2C466%2C343%2C112%2C158%2C111%2C439%2C298%2C916%2C927%2C664%2C846%2C826%2C299%2C542%2C582%2C443%2C474%2C917%2C754%2C544%2C698&s=PPPPC&grp=0&a= |title= List of GDP per capita by country| publisher= International Monetary Fund}} Singapore is 44th (as on 2006).</ref> The small nation has [[foreign exchange reserves]] of [[US$]]171.7353 billion. <ref name="keystats">{{cite web| url= http://www.mas.gov.sg/data_room/reserves_statistics/Official_Foreign_Reserves.html| title= Official Foreign Reserves |work= Statistics Singapore| publisher= [[Monetary Authority of Singapore]]| accessdate= 2008-03-15}}</ref> The population of Singapore is approximately 4.59 million.<ref name="stats">{{cite web| url= http://www.singstat.gov.sg/stats/latestdata.html |title= Population - latest data| date= 2007-11-30| publisher= Singapore Department of Statistics Singapore| accessdate= 2007-12-04}}</ref> Though Singapore is highly cosmopolitan and diverse, ethnic Chinese form the majority of the population. English is the administrative language of the country. The [[Constitution of Singapore|Constitution of the Republic of Singapore]] established the nation's political system as a [[representative democracy]], while the country is recognized as a [[parliamentary republic]].<ref> {{cite web| url= https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/sn.html| title= CIA - The World Factbook - Singapore| publisher= Central Intelligence Agency| accessdate= 2007-08-07}} </ref> The [[People's Action Party]] (PAP) dominates the political process and has won control of [[Parliament of Singapore|Parliament]] in every election since self-government in 1959.<ref> {{cite web| url= http://www.freedomhouse.org/template.cfm?page=22&country=7269&year=2007| title= Country Report: Singapore| publisher= Freedom House| accessdate= 2007-08-03}} </ref> ==History== {{main|History of Singapore}} ===Etymology=== The name ''Singapura'' comes from the [[Malay]], Singapura. <ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.bartleby.com/61/46/S0424600.html| title=Singapore| publisher= bartleby.com| accessdate=2006-04-14}}</ref> According to the [[Malay Annals]], this name was given by a 14th century [[Sumatra]]n prince named [[Sang Nila Utama]], who, landing on the island after a thunderstorm, spotted an auspicious beast on the shore, which his chief minister erroneously identified as a 'singha' or lion.<ref>{{cite web| title= Early History| url= http://www.sg/explore/history.htm| publisher= Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts, Singapore| accessdate= 2006-04-14}}</ref> Recent studies of Singapore, however, indicate that lions have never lived there, not even [[Asiatic lions]]; the beast seen by Sang Nila Utama was most likely a [[tiger]], probably the [[Malayan Tiger]].<ref>{{cite web| title= Studying In Singapore| publisher= Search Singapore Pte Ltd| url= http://www.schools.com.sg/articles/aboutSingapore.asp| accessdate= 2006-04-14}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| title= Sang Nila Utama| publisher= 24hr Art| url= http://www.24hrart.org.au/pdf's/Utama_Every.pdf| accessdate= 2006-04-14 }}</ref> ===First settlement=== {{main|Early history of Singapore}} The first records of settlement in Singapore are from the 2nd century AD.<ref>{{cite web| url= http://countrystudies.us/singapore/3.htm| title= Country Studies| publisher= Library of Congress| accessdate= 2007-05-01}}</ref> The island was an outpost of the [[Sumatra]]n [[Srivijaya]] empire and originally had the [[Javanese language|Javanese]] name ''[[Temasek]]'' ('sea town'). Temasek (Tumasek) rapidly became a significant trading settlement, but declined in the late 14th century. There are few remnants of old Temasek in Singapore, but [[archaeology in Singapore|archaeologists in Singapore]] have uncovered artifacts of that and other settlements. Between the 16th and early 19th centuries, Singapore island was part of the [[Sultanate of Johor]]. During the Malay-[[Portugal]] wars in 1613, the settlement was set ablaze by Portuguese troops.<ref name="uslcPrecolonial">{{cite web| title= Singapore - Precolonial Era| url= http://countrystudies.us/singapore/3.htm| publisher= U.S. Library of Congress| accessdate= 2006-06-18}}</ref> The [[Portuguese Empire|Portuguese]] subsequently held control in that century and the Dutch in the 17th, but throughout most of this time the island's population consisted mainly of fishermen. ===Colonial rule=== {{main|Founding of modern Singapore}} [[Image:Stamford Raffles statue.jpg|upright|thumb|Statue of [[Thomas Stamford Raffles]] by [[Thomas Woolner]], erected at the location where he first landed at Singapore. He is recognized as the founder of modern Singapore.]] On [[29 January]] [[1819]], Sir [[Stamford Raffles|Thomas Stamford Raffles]] landed on the main island. Spotting its potential as a strategic geographical trading post in Southeast Asia, Raffles signed a treaty with [[Sultan Hussein Shah]] on behalf of the [[British East India Company]] on [[6 February]] [[1819]] to develop the southern part of Singapore as a British trading post and settlement. Until [[August]] [[1824]], Singapore was still a territory controlled by a Malay Ruler. Singapore only officially became a British colony in [[August]] [[1824]] when the British extended control over the whole island. [[John Crawfurd]], the second resident of Singapore, was the one who made Singapore a British possession. He signed a treaty with [[Sultan Hussein Shah]] on [[2 August]] [[1824]] in which the Sultan and the Temmenggong handed over the whole island to the [[British East India Company]] thus marking the start of the island's modern era. Raffles's deputy, [[William Farquhar]], oversaw a period of growth and ethnic migration, which was largely spurred by a no-restriction immigration policy. The [[British India]] office governed the island from 1858, but Singapore was made a [[British overseas territories|British crown colony]] in 1867, answerable directly to the Crown. By 1869, 100,000 lived on the island. <ref>{{cite web| title= Founding of Modern Singapore| url= http://www.sg/explore/history_founding.htm| publisher= Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts, Singapore| accessdate= 2006-04-14}}</ref> The early onset of town planning in colonial Singapore came largely through a "divide and rule" framework where the different ethnic groups were settled in different parts of the South of the island. The Singapore River was largely a commercial area that was dominated by traders and bankers of various ethnic groups with mostly Chinese and Indian coolies working to load and unload goods from barge boats known locally as "bumboats". The Malays, consisting of the local "Orang Lauts" who worked mostly as fishermen and sea-farers, and Arab traders and scholars were mostly found in the South-east part of the river mouth, where Kampong Glam stands today. The European settlers, who were few then, settled around Fort Canning Hill and further upstream from the Singapore River. Like the Europeans, the early Indian migrants also settled more inland of the Singapore River, where Little India stands today. Very little is known about the rural private settlements in those times (known as ''kampongs''), other than the major move by the post-independent Singapore government to re-settle these residents in the late 1960s. ===World War II=== {{main|Japanese occupation of Singapore}} During World War II, the [[Imperial Japanese Army]] invaded Malaya, culminating in the [[Battle of Singapore]]. The ill-prepared British were defeated in six days, and surrendered the supposedly impregnable fortress to General [[Tomoyuki Yamashita]] on [[15 February]] [[1942]]. The surrender was described by British Prime Minister [[Sir]] [[Winston Churchill]] as "the worst disaster and largest capitulation in British history."<ref>{{cite web| url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/february/15/newsid_3529000/3529447.stm| title= BBC On This Day - 1942: Singapore forced to surrender| accessdate= 2007-05-01| publisher= [[BBC]]}}</ref> The Japanese renamed Singapore {{nihongo|''Shōnantō''|昭南島}}, from Japanese {{nihongo|"[[Shōwa period|Shōwa]] no jidai ni eta minami no shima"|"'''昭'''和の時代に得た'''南'''の'''島'''"}}, or "southern island obtained in the age of Shōwa", and [[Japanese Occupation of Singapore|occupied it]] until the British repossessed the island on [[12 September]] [[1945]], a month after [[Surrender of Japan|the Japanese surrender]].<ref>{{cite web| author= Ron Taylor| title= Fall of Malaya and Singapore| url= http://www.britain-at-war.org.uk/WW2/Malaya_and_Singapore/index.htm| accessdate= 2007-07-10}}</ref> The name Shōnantō was, at the time, [[Romanization of Japanese|romanized]] as "Syonan-to" or "Syonan", which means "Light of the South". ===Independence=== {{main|History of the Republic of Singapore}} [[Image:Shentonsway.jpg|thumb|[[Shenton Way]] circa 1970, the period of time where Singapore underwent immense economic development under the leadership of [[Lee Kuan Yew]].]] [[Image:Singapore.jpg|thumb|The [[Downtown Core]] at dusk, the civic and business district of Singapore.]] Singapore became a self-governing state within the British Empire in 1959 with [[Yusof bin Ishak]] its first ''[[Yang di-Pertuan Negara]]'' and [[Lee Kuan Yew]] its first [[Prime Minister of Singapore|Prime Minister]]. It declared independence from Britain unilaterally in August 1963, before joining the [[Federation of Malaysia]] in September along with [[Federation of Malaya|Malaya]], [[Sabah]] and [[Sarawak]] as the result of the [[1962 Merger Referendum of Singapore]]. Singapore left the federation two years later after [[PAP-UMNO relations|heated ideological conflict]] between the state's PAP government and the federal [[Kuala Lumpur]] government. Singapore officially gained sovereignty on [[9 August]] [[1965]].<ref>{{cite web| title= Road to Independence| url= http://countrystudies.us/singapore/10.htm| publisher= U.S. Library of Congress| accessdate= 2006-04-14}}</ref> [[Yusof bin Ishak]] was sworn in as the first [[President of Singapore]] and Lee Kuan Yew remained prime minister. While trying to be self-sufficient, the fledging nation faced problems like mass [[unemployment]], housing shortages, and a dearth of land and natural resources. During Lee Kuan Yew's term as [[prime minister]] from 1959 to 1990, his administration tackled the problem of widespread [[unemployment]], raised the [[standard of living]], and implemented a large-scale public housing programme. It was during this time that the foundation of the country's [[economic]] [[infrastructure]] was developed; the threat of racial tension was curbed; and an independent national defence system centring around compulsory male military service was created. In 1990, [[Goh Chok Tong]] succeeded Lee as Prime Minister. During his tenure, the country tackled the impacts of the [[1997 Asian Financial Crisis]], the 2003 [[Severe acute respiratory syndrome|SARS]] outbreak, and [[War on Terrorism|terrorist threats]] posed by [[Jemaah Islamiyah]] after the [[September 11 attacks]]. In 2004, [[Lee Hsien Loong]], the eldest son of Lee Kuan Yew, became the third prime minister.<ref>{{cite web| title= Country profile: Singapore| publisher= BBC News| url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/country_profiles/1143240.stm| accessdate= 2006-04-14}}</ref> Amongst his more notable decisions is the plan to open [[casino]]s to attract more foreign tourists. ==Government and politics== [[Image:Singapore Parliament House.jpg|thumb|[[Parliament House, Singapore|Parliament House]]]] <!--Please add new information into relevant articles of the series--> {{main|Politics of Singapore}} {{See also|Law of Singapore}} Singapore is a parliamentary democracy with a [[Westminster system]] of [[Unicameralism|unicameral]] parliamentary government representing different [[constituencies of Singapore|constituencies]]. The bulk of the executive powers rests with the [[Cabinet of Singapore|Cabinet]], headed by the [[Prime Minister of Singapore|Prime Minister]], currently Lee Hsien Loong. The office of [[President of Singapore]], historically a ceremonial one, was granted some veto powers as of 1991 for a few key decisions such as the use of the national reserves and the appointment of [[judiciary]] positions. Although the position is to be elected by popular vote, only the 1993 election has been contested to date. The [[Legislature|legislative]] branch of government is the Parliament. [[Parliamentary elections in Singapore]] are [[plurality voting system|plurality-based]] for [[group representation constituencies]] since the [[Parliamentary Elections Act]] was modified in 1991.<ref>{{Singapore Statute |title= Parliamentary Elections Act |cap= 218 |ed= 2001}}</ref> The Members of Parliament (MPs) consist of either elected, non-constituency or nominated Members. The majority of the Members of Parliament are elected into Parliament at a General Election on a first-past-the-post basis and represent either Single Member or Group Representation Constituencies (GRCs). The elected Members of Parliament act as a bridge between the community and the Government by ensuring that the concerns of their constituents are heard in the Parliament. The present Parliament has 94 Members of Parliament consisting of 84 elected Members of Parliament, one NCMP and nine Nominated members of Parliament. *Elected Members, In Group Representation Constituencies, political parties field a team of between three to six candidates. At least one candidate in the team must belong to a minority race. This requirement ensures that parties contesting the elections in Group Representation Constituencies are multi-racial so that minority races will be represented in Parliament. Presently there are 14 Group Representation Constituencies and 9 Single Member constituencies. *Non-Constituency Members,This is to ensure that there will be a minimum number of opposition representatives in Parliament and that views other than the Government's can be expressed in Parliament. *Nominated Members, up to nine Nominated Members of Parliament (NMPs) was made in 1990 to ensure a wide representation of community views in Parliament. Nominated Members of Parliament are appointed by the President of Singapore for a term of two and a half years on the recommendation of a Special Select Committee of Parliament chaired by the Speaker. Nominated Members of Parliament are not connected to any political parties. [[Image:Istana 20, Singapore, Jan 06.JPG|thumb|left|The [[Istana Singapore|Istana]], the official residence and office of the [[President of Singapore]].]] Politics in Singapore have been controlled by the People's Action Party (PAP) since self-government was attained.<ref>Worthington (2002), Mauzy and Milne (2002).</ref> In consequence, foreign political analysts and several opposition parties like the [[Workers' Party of Singapore]], the [[Singapore Democratic Party]] (SDP) and the [[Singapore Democratic Alliance]] (SDA) have argued that Singapore is essentially a [[Single-party state|one-party state]]. Many analysts consider Singapore to be an [[illiberal democracy|illiberal]] or [[procedural democracy]] than a true democracy. The [[Economist Intelligence Unit]] describes Singapore as a "hybrid regime" of democratic and authoritarian elements.<ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.economist.com/media/pdf/DEMOCRACY_TABLE_2007_v3.pdf| title= Economist Intelligence Unit democracy index 2006| accessdate= 2007-09-13| year= 2007| format= PDF| publisher= [[Economist Intelligence Unit]]| language= English}}</ref> [[Freedom House]] ranks the country as "partly free".<ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.freedomhouse.org/template.cfm?page=22&year=2006&country=7055| title= Country Report: Singapore| year= 2006| publisher= [[Freedom House]]}}</ref> Though [[general election]]s are free from irregularities and vote rigging, the PAP has been criticised for manipulating the political system through its use of censorship, [[Gerrymandering#Gerrymandering in Singapore|gerrymandering]], and civil [[Slander and libel|libel]] suits against opposition politicians. [[Francis Seow]], the exiled former [[Solicitor-General of Singapore]], is a prominent critic. Seow and opposition politicians such as [[J.B. Jeyaretnam]] and [[Chee Soon Juan]] claim that Singapore courts favour the PAP government, and there is no [[separation of powers]].<ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.rsf.org/rubrique.php3?id_rubrique=554| title= Worldwide Press Freedom Index| accessdate= 2006-04-13}}</ref> Singapore has a successful and transparent [[market economy]]. [[Government-linked company|Government-linked companies]] are dominant in various sectors of the local economy, such as [[media of Singapore|media]], [[Public Utilities Board|utilities]], and [[public transport in Singapore|public transport]]. Singapore has consistently been rated as the least corrupt country in [[Asia]] and among the world's ten most free from corruption by [[Transparency International]].<ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.transparency.org/policy_research/surveys_indices/cpi| title= Transparency International - Corruption Perceptions Index 2006| accessdate= 2007-02-03}}</ref> Although Singapore's laws are inherited from British and [[British India]]n laws, including many elements of [[English common law]], the PAP has also consistently rejected [[liberal democracy|liberal democratic values]], which it typifies as [[Western world|Western]] and states there should not be a 'one-size-fits-all' solution to a democracy. There are no jury trials. Laws restricting the freedom of speech are justified by claims that they are intended to prohibit speech that may breed ill will or cause disharmony within Singapore's multiracial, multi-religious society. For example, in September 2005, three bloggers were convicted of [[sedition]] for posting racist remarks targeting minorities.<ref>{{cite news| title= Third racist blogger sentenced to 24 months supervised probation| url= http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/180127/1/.html| publisher= Channel NewsAsia| date= [[2005-11-23]]}} </ref> Some offences can lead to heavy fines or [[Caning in Singapore|caning]] and there are laws which allow [[capital punishment in Singapore]] for first-degree murder and drug trafficking. [[Amnesty International]] has criticised Singapore for having "possibly the highest execution rate in the world" [[per capita]].<ref>{{cite web| title= Amnesty International| work= The death penalty: A hidden toll of executions| url= http://web.amnesty.org/library/Index/ENGASA360012004?open&of=ENG-SGP| accessdate= 2006-06-07}}</ref> The Singapore government argues that there is no international consensus on the appropriateness of the death penalty and that Singapore has the [[Sovereignty|sovereign right]] to determine its own judicial system and impose capital punishment for the most serious crimes.<ref>{{cite press release| title= The Singapore Government's Response To Amnesty International's Report "Singapore - The Death Penalty: A Hidden Toll Of Executions"| publisher= Ministry of Home Affairs, Singapore| url=http://www.mha.gov.sg/basic_content.aspx?pageid=74| date= 2004-01-30}} </ref> Singapore has been given "Partly Free" status by [[Freedom House]].<ref>[http://www.freedomhouse.org/template.cfm?page=363&year=2007 Map of Freedom in the World:Singapore - Freedom House]</ref> ==Geography and climate== [[Image:Downtownspore.JPG|thumb|Singapore Downtown as seen from the [[DHL Balloon]].]] {{main|Geography and climate of Singapore}} Singapore consists of [[List of islands of Singapore|63 islands]], including mainland Singapore. There are two man-made connections to [[Johor|Johor, Malaysia]] &mdash; [[Johor-Singapore Causeway]] in the north, and [[Malaysia-Singapore Second Link|Tuas Second Link]] in the west. [[Jurong Island]], [[Pulau Tekong]], [[Pulau Ubin]] and [[Sentosa]] are the largest of Singapore's many smaller islands. The highest natural point of Singapore is [[Bukit Timah|Bukit Timah Hill]] at {{convert|166|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}. The south of Singapore, around the mouth of the [[Singapore River]] and what is now the Downtown Core, used to be the only concentrated urban area, while the rest of the land was either undeveloped [[tropical rainforest]] or used for agriculture. Since the 1960s, the government has constructed new residential towns in outlying areas, resulting in an entirely built-up urban landscape. The [[Urban Redevelopment Authority]] was established on [[1 April]] [[1974]], responsible for [[urban planning in Singapore|urban planning]]. [[Image:Singapore botanic garden pond.jpg|thumb|[[Singapore Botanic Gardens]], a 67.3-hectare (166&nbsp;acre) Botanic Gardens in Singapore that includes the National Orchid Garden, which has a collection of more than 3,000 species of orchids.]] Singapore has on-going [[land reclamation]] projects with earth obtained from its own hills, the sea-bed, and neighbouring countries. As a result, Singapore's land area grew from {{convert|581.5|km2|sqmi|1|lk=on|abbr=on}} in the 1960s to {{convert|704|km2|sqmi|1|abbr=on}} today, and may grow by another 100 km² (38.6&nbsp;sq&nbsp;mi) by 2030.<ref>{{cite web |title=Towards Environmental Sustainability, State of the Environment 2005 Report (PDF) |url=http://app.nea.gov.sg/counter/nea_soecover.asp |publisher=Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, Singapore |accessdate=2006-04-14}}</ref> The projects sometimes involve some of the smaller islands being merged together through land reclamation in order to form larger, more functional islands, such as in the case of [[Jurong Island]]. Under the [[Köppen climate classification]] system, Singapore has a [[tropical climate|tropical rainforest climate]] with no distinctive seasons. Its climate is characterized by uniform temperature and pressure, high humidity, and abundant rainfall. Temperatures range from 22 °C to 34 °C (72° to 93 °F). On average, the [[relative humidity]] is around 90 percent in the morning and 60 percent in the afternoon. During prolonged heavy rain, relative humidity often reaches 100 percent.<ref>{{cite web| title= Climate of Singapore| url= http://app.nea.gov.sg/cms/htdocs/article.asp?pid=1088| publisher= National Environment Agency, Singapore| accessdate= 2006-04-14}}</ref> The lowest and highest temperatures recorded in its maritime history are {{convert|18.4|C|F|1|lk=on|abbr=on}} and {{convert|37.8|C|F|1|abbr=on}} respectively. The highest wind speed recorded was {{convert|150|km/h|mph|0|abbr=on}} on [[26 May]] [[2007]]. June and July are the hottest months, while November and December make up the wetter [[monsoon]] season. From August to October, there is often haze, sometimes severe enough to prompt public health warnings, due to [[bushfire]]s in neighbouring [[Indonesia]]. Singapore does not observe daylight saving time or a summer time zone change. The length of the day is nearly constant year round due to the country's location near the equator. About 23 percent of Singapore's land area consists of forest and nature reserves.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://earthtrends.wri.org/pdf_library/country_profiles/for_cou_702.pdf |title= Earthtrends country profile}}</ref> Urbanization has eliminated many areas of former primary [[rainforest]], with the only remaining area of primary rainforest being [[Bukit Timah Nature Reserve]]. A variety of parks are maintained with human intervention, such as the [[Singapore Botanic Gardens]]. ==Economy== {{main|Economy of Singapore|Tourism in Singapore}} Singapore has a highly developed market-based economy, which historically revolves around extended [[entrepot]] trade. Along with [[Hong Kong]], [[South Korea]] and [[Republic of China|Taiwan]], Singapore is one of the [[Four Asian Tigers]]. The economy depends heavily on exports refining imported goods, especially in manufacturing. Manufacturing constituted 26 percent of Singapore's GDP in 2005.<ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.singstat.gov.sg/stats/themes/economy/ess/essa11.pdf| title= Gross Domestic Product by Industry| accessdate= 2007-09-13| year= 2007| format= PDF| publisher= Singapore Department of Statistics| language= English}}</ref> The manufacturing industry is well-diversified into electronics, petroleum refining, chemicals, mechanical engineering and biomedical sciences manufacturing. In 2006, Singapore produced about 10 percent of the world's foundry [[wafer (electronics)|wafer]] output.<ref>{{cite press release| title= Xilinx Underscores Commitment To Asia Pacific Market At Official Opening Of New Regional Headquarters Building In Singapore| publisher= [[Xilinx]]| url= http://digital50.com/news/items/PR/2007/09/14/AQF005/xilinx-underscores-commitment-to-asia-pacific-market-at-official-opening-of-new-regio/| date= 2007-09-14| accessdate= 2007-11-21}}</ref> Singapore is the busiest port in the world in terms of tonnage shipped.<ref>{{cite web| url= http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0WDP/is_2006_Jan_17/ai_n16006412| title= 2006 shipping figures}}</ref> Singapore is the world's fourth largest [[Foreign exchange market|foreign exchange]] trading centre after [[London]], [[New York City]] and [[Tokyo]].<ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.mas.gov.sg/about_us/annual_reports/annual20052006/index.htm| title= MAS Annual Report 2005/2006| publisher= [[Monetary Authority of Singapore]]}}</ref> Singapore has been rated as the most business-friendly economy in the world,<ref> {{cite news| author= Wong Choon Mei| title= Singapore the most business-friendly economy in the world: World Bank| url= http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporebusinessnews/view/228852/1/.html| work= Singapore News| publisher= Channel NewsAsia| location= Singapore| date= 2006-09-06| accessdate= 2008-01-31| quote= Singapore has been rated as the most business-friendly economy in the world. According to a World Bank-IFC report, Singapore beats previous winner New Zealand for the top spot in the 2005/2006 rankings while the United States came in third.}}</ref><ref> {{cite news| title= Singapore top paradise for business: World Bank| url= http://business.asiaone.com/Business/News/SME%2BCentral/Story/A1Story20070926-27084.html | publisher= AFP| location= Washington| date= 2007-09-26| accessdate = 2008-01-31| quote= SINGAPORE once again topped the World Bank's ranks for the best place in the world to do business, and Egypt is the leader in reforms to invite more business, the World Bank said on Tuesday. 'For the second year running, Singapore tops the aggregate rankings on the ease of doing business' in 2006 to 2007, the World Bank said in releasing its 'Doing Business 2008' report. www.Singaporeian.com}}</ref> with thousands of foreign expatriates working in [[multi-national corporation]]s. The city-state also employs tens of thousands of foreign blue-collared workers around the world. [[Image:Marina bay new IR.jpg|thumb|left|Singapore's Central Business District (CBD).]] As a result of [[Early 2000s recession|global recession]] and a slump in the technology sector, the country's GDP contracted 2.2 percent in 2001. The Economic Review Committee (ERC) was set up in December 2001, and recommended several policy changes with a view to revitalising the economy. Singapore has since recovered from the recession, largely due to improvements in the world economy; the Singaporean economy itself grew by 8.3 percent in 2004, 6.4 percent in 2005<ref>{{cite web |url= http://app.mti.gov.sg/data/article/1962/doc/ESS_2005Ann_%20PR.pdf |archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20060823185543/http://app.mti.gov.sg/data/article/1962/doc/ESS_2005Ann_+PR.pdf |archivedate= 2006-08-23 |title= Performance of the Singapore Economy in 2005, Ministry of Trade and Industry |format= PDF |accessdate= 2006-04-14}}</ref> and 7.9 percent in 2006.<ref>{{cite news| title= Singapore's economy grows by 7.7 percent in 2006| author= Dominique Loh| publisher= Channel NewsAsia| date= 2006-12-31| url= http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/250028/1/.html}}</ref> In the first half of Year 2007, the economy grew by 7.6 percent. The growth forecast for the whole year is expected to be between 7 percent to 8 percent, up from the original estimation of 5 percent to 7 percent.<ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/292902/1/.html| title= PM Lee calls on Singaporeans to make country a special home| accessdate= 2007-08-09}}</ref> On August 19 2007, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced in his National Day Rally Speech that Singapore's economy is expected to grow by at least 4-6 percent annually over the next 5-10 years. The per capita GDP in 2006 was US$29,474.<ref>{{cite web| title= Per Capita GDP at Current Market Prices| url= http://www.singstat.gov.sg/stats/themes/economy/hist/gdp.html| publisher= Singapore Department of Statistics| date= 2006-02-16}}</ref> As of September 2007, the unemployment rate is 1.7 percent, which is the lowest in a decade, having improved to around pre-Asian crisis level.<ref name="MOM">{{cite web| last= Manpower Research and Statistics Department| first= | url= http://www.mom.gov.sg/publish/etc/medialib/mom_library/mrsd/glm.Par.82616.File.tmp/mrsd_Q32007empsit.pdf| title= Employment Situation In Third Quarter 2007: Unemployment rate dropped to pre-Asian crisis level amid continued strong employment creation| accessdate= 2007-12-30| publisher= Singapore Ministry of Manpower}}</ref> Employment continued to grow strongly as the economy maintained its rapid expansion. In the first three quarters of 2007, 171,500 new jobs were created, which is close to the 176,000 for the whole of 2006.<ref name="MOM"/> For the whole of 2007, Singapore's economy has grown 7.5 percent and drew in a record S$16 billion of fixed asset investments in manufacturing and projects generating S$3 billion of total business spending in services.<ref name="CNA">{{cite news| last= Ramesh| first= S| url= http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/320021/1/.html| title= Singapore's economy grows 7.5% in 2007: PM Lee| publisher= [[Channel NewsAsia]]}}</ref> The government expects the Singapore economy to grow by 4.5 percent to 6.5 percent in 2008.<ref name="CNA"/> [[Image:Orchard Road light up Xmas 2005.JPG|thumb|right|Orchard Road is decorated for Christmas, 2005.]] Singapore introduced a [[Goods and Services Tax (Singapore)|Goods and Services Tax]] (GST) with an initial rate of 3 percent on 1 April 1994 substantially increasing government revenue by S$1.6 billion and stabilizing government finances.<ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.mof.gov.sg/budget_1996/revenue.html| title= FY 1996 Budget, Revenue And Tax Changes| accessdate= 2006-05-01}}</ref> The taxable GST was increased to 4 percent in 2003, to 5 percent in 2004, and to 7 percent on 1st July 2007.<ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/specialreport/news/258757_26/1/.html| title= GST rate to rise to 7 percent from July 1| accessdate= 2007-02-15}}</ref> Singapore is a popular travel destination, making [[Tourism in Singapore|tourism]] one of its largest industries. About 9.7 million tourists visited Singapore in 2006.<ref>{{cite web| title= Record Year As Tourism Exceeds 2006 Targets With S$12.4 Billion Tourism Receipts And 9.7 Million Visitor Arrivals| url= http://app.stb.com.sg/asp/new/new03a.asp?id=6243| publisher= [[Singapore Tourism Board]]| accessdate= 2007-04-21}}</ref> The [[Orchard Road]] shopping district is one of Singapore's most well-known and popular tourist draws. To attract more tourists, the government decided to legalise gambling and to allow two casino resorts (euphemistically called [[Integrated Resort]]s) to be developed at [[Marina South]] and [[Sentosa]] in 2005.<ref>{{cite press release| title=Proposal to develop Integrated Resorts - Ministerial Statement by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on 18 April 2005| url= http://app.mti.gov.sg/data/pages/606/doc/Ministerial%20Statement%20-%20PM%2018apr05.pdf| publisher= [[Ministry of Trade and Industry (Singapore)]]}}</ref> To compete with regional rivals like [[Hong Kong]], [[Tokyo]] and [[Shanghai]], the government has announced that the city area would be transformed into a more exciting place by lighting up the civic and commercial buildings.<ref>{{cite web| last=| first=| url= http://www.ura.gov.sg/pr/text/forum06_09.html| title= URA News Releases: Let Bright Ideas Light Up Singapore| accessdate= 2007-12-29 |publisher= Urban Renewal Authority}}</ref> Cuisine has also been heavily promoted as an attraction for tourists, with the [[Singapore Food Festival]] in July organized annually to celebrate Singapore's cuisine. Singapore is fast positioning itself as a [[medical tourism]] hub — about 200,000 foreigners seek medical care in the country each year and Singapore medical services aim to serve one million foreign patients annually by 2012 and generate USD 3 billion in revenue.<ref>{{cite web| last= Dogra| first= Sapna| url= http://www.expresshealthcaremgmt.com/20050731/medicaltourism01.shtml| title= Medical tourism boom takes Singapore by storm | accessdate= 2007-12-29| publisher= India: Express Healthcare Management}}</ref> The government expects that the initiative could create an estimated 13,000 new jobs within the health industries. Under the [[Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore]] (IDA), [[Wireless@SG]] is a government initiative to build Singapore's infocomm infrastructure. Working through IDA's Call-for-Collaboration, [[SingTel]], iCell and QMax deploy a [[municipal wireless network]] throughout Singapore. Since late 2006, users have enjoyed free wireless access through Wi-Fi under the "basic-tier" package offered by all three operators for 3 years. ===Free Trade Agreements=== Singapore has 14 bilateral and multilateral trade agreements: <ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.iesingapore.gov.sg/wps/portal/ |title= Singapore Free Trade Agreements| accessdate= 2007-09-23| publisher= International Enterprise Singapore}}</ref> [[Image:SingaporeUS FreeTrade.jpg|thumb|Prime Minister [[Goh Chok Tong]] and [[President of the United States]] [[George W. Bush]] signing the [[US-Singapore Free Trade Agreement]] in the [[White House]], [[May 6]] [[2003]].]] *ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) *ASEAN-China (ACFTA) *ASEAN-Korea (AKFTA) *[[Australia]] (SAFTA) *[[EFTA]] (European Free Trade Association: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland) *[[Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan|Jordan]] (SJFTA) *[[India]] (CECA) *[[Japan]] (JSEPA) *[[New Zealand]] (ANZSCEP) *[[Panama]] (PSFTA) *[[Peru]] *[[South Korea]] (KSFTA) *Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership Agreement (Trans-Pacific SEP): [[Brunei]], New Zealand, [[Chile]], Singapore *[[United States of America]] USSFTA ===Currency=== {{main|Singapore Dollar}} The currency of Singapore is the Singapore dollar, represented by the symbol '''S$''' or the abbreviation '''SGD'''. The [[central bank]] of Singapore is the Monetary Authority of Singapore, responsible for issuing currency. Singapore established the Board of Commissioners of Currency, Singapore, on [[7 April]] [[1967]]<ref>{{cite book| author= Low Siang Kok, Director (Quality), Board of Commissioners of Currency, Singapore| title= The Future of Money / Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development| origdate = 2002-06-22 <!-- http://www.oecd.org/bookshop?pub=032002011P1 -->| url= http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/40/31/35391062.pdf <!-- backup url = http://213.253.134.43/oecd/pdfs/browseit/0302011E.PDF --> <!-- backup url = http://www.oecdbookshop.org/oecd/get-it.asp?REF=0302011E.PDF&TYPE=browse -->| format = PDF| accessdate = 2007-12-28| publisher = OECD Publications| location = France| isbn = 92-64-19672-2<!-- ISBN-13: 9789264196728 -->| pages= p.147 | chapter= Chapter 6: Singapore Electronic Legal Tender (SELT) – A Proposed Concept| quote= The Board of Commissioners of Currency, Singapore (BCCS) was established on 7 April 1967 by the enactment of the Currency Act (Chapter 69). It has the sole right to issue currency notes and coins as legal tender in Singapore.}}</ref> and issued its first coins and notes.<ref name="Currency History">{{cite web| url= http://www.mas.gov.sg/currency/currency_info/Heritage_Collection.html| title= The Currency History of Singapore| accessdate= 2007-12-28| date= 2007-04-09| publisher= Monetary Authority of Singapore| quote= On 12 June 1967, the currency union which had been operating for 29 years came to an end, and the three participating countries, Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei each issued its own currency. The currencies of the 3 countries were interchangeable at par value under the Interchangeability Agreement until 8 May 1973 when the Malaysian government decided to terminate it. Brunei and Singapore however continue with the Agreement until the present day.}}</ref> The Singapore dollar was exchangeable at par with the Malaysian ringgit until 1973.<ref name="Currency History"/> Interchangeability with the Brunei dollar is still maintained.<ref name="Currency History"/><ref name="Currency Interchangeability Agreement">{{cite web| url= http://www.mas.gov.sg/news_room/press_releases/2007/Joint_Press_Release_by_the_MOF_Brunei_Darussalam_and_MAS.html| title= Joint Press Release by the Ministry of Finance, Brunei Darussalam and the Monetary Authority of Singapore Commemorating the 40th Anniversary the Currency Interchangeability Agreement| accessdate= 2007-12-28| date= 2007-06-27 |publisher= Monetary Authority of Singapore| quote= SINGAPORE, 27 June 2007... Brunei Darussalam and Singapore today celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the Currency Interchangeability Agreement. To mark the auspicious occasion, His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, The Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and His Excellency Mr. Lee Hsien Loong, Prime Minister of Singapore jointly launched the new $20 polymer notes issued by the two countries in a ceremony held at Istana Nurul Iman in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam.}}</ref> On [[27 June]] [[2007]], to commemorate 40 years of currency agreement with Brunei, a commemorative S$20 note was launched; the back is identical to the Bruneian $20 note launched concurrently.<ref name="Currency Interchangeability Agreement"/><ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.mas.gov.sg/resource/news_room/press_releases/2007/Joint%20Press%20Release%20by%20the%20Ministry%20of%20Finance,%20Brunei%20Darussalam%20and%20the%20Monetary%20Authority%20of%20Singapore.pdf| title= Annex 1| work= Commemorating the 40th Anniversary the Currency Interchangeability Agreement| accessdate= 2007-12-28| date= 2007-06-27| publisher= Monetary Authority of Singapore| quote= As this is a joint issue by Brunei Darussalam and Singapore, the $20 notes will have common predominant orange colour and common back design.}}</ref> ==Military== [[Image:RSS Formidable Ex Malabar 07.jpg|thumb|left|RSS ''Formidable'' during Exercise Malabar 07]] {{main|Ministry of Defence (Singapore)}} The [[Ministry of Defence (Singapore)|Ministry of Defence]] (MINDEF), currently headed by Minister [[Teo Chee Hean]], oversees the [[Singapore Army]], the [[Republic of Singapore Navy]], and the [[Republic of Singapore Air Force]], collectively known as the [[Singapore Armed Forces]], along with volunteer private companies involved in supporting roles. The Chief of Defence Forces is [[Lieutenant-General]] Desmond Kuek Bak Chye. The armed forces serve primarily as a deterrent against potential aggressors and also provide humanitarian assistance to other countries. Singapore has mutual defence pacts with several countries, most notably the [[Five Power Defence Arrangements]]. There is an extensive overseas network of training grounds in the United States, Australia, Republic of China (Taiwan), New Zealand, France, Thailand, Brunei, India and South Africa. Since 1980, the concept and strategy of "[[Total Defence]]" has been adopted in all aspects of security; an approach aimed at strengthening Singapore against all kinds of threats. The recent rise in [[unconventional warfare]] and terrorism has cast increasing emphasis on non-military aspects of defence. The [[Gurkha Contingent]], part of the [[Singapore Police Force]], is also a [[counter-terrorism|counter-terrorist]] force. In 1991, the hijacking of [[Singapore Airlines Flight 117]] ended in the storming of the aircraft by [[Singapore Special Operations Force]] and the subsequent deaths of all four hijackers without injury to either passengers or SOF personnel. A concern is [[Jemaah Islamiyah]], a militant Islamic group whose plan to [[Singapore embassies attack plot|attack the Australian High Commission]] was ultimately foiled in 2001. Singapore's defence resources have been used in international humanitarian aid missions, including [[peacekeeping|United Nations peacekeeping]] assignments involved in 11 different countries.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/about_us/defence_policy.html| title=Peacekeepers :: In the Service of Peace| accessdate=2006-05-01}}</ref> In September 2005, the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) sent three CH-47 Chinook helicopters to [[Louisiana]] to assist in relief operations for [[Hurricane Katrina]]. In the aftermath of the [[2004 Asian Tsunami]] (or Boxing Day Tsunami), the SAF deployed 3 tank landing ships, 12 Super Puma and 8 Chinook helicopters to aid in relief operations to the countries that were affected by the tsunami. ===Singapore Armed Forces=== [[Image:010713zsingapore-h.jpg|thumb|An RSAF CH-47SD lands aboard [[USS Rushmore (LSD-47)|USS ''Rushmore'']] during Exercise CARAT 2001]] {{main|Singapore Armed Forces}} The Singapore Armed Forces, the military forces of Singapore, takes charge of the overall defence of the country. It comprises three branches: the [[Singapore Army]], [[Republic of Singapore Air Force]], and the [[Republic of Singapore Navy]]. The Singapore Army is one of the three services of the [[Singapore Armed Forces]]. It is headed by the Chief of Army (COA), currently [[Major General]] [[Neo Kian Hong]]. The Army focuses on leveraging technology and weapon systems as "[[Force multiplier|force-multipliers]]". It is currently undergoing the transformation into, what it calls a 3rd Generation fighting force.<ref>{{cite web| title= MINDEF - The 3rd Generation SAF| publisher= Ministry of Defence| url= http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/mindef_websites/topics/3g/home.html| accessdate= 2008-02-25}}</ref> The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF), the [[air force]] branch, guards the [[airspace]] of Singapore. The RSAF was established in 1968 as the Singapore Air Defence Command. It operates from four air bases. It also operates its aircraft in several overseas locations in order to provide greater exposure to its pilots. The main aircrafts found in its fleet include [[F-16 Fighting Falcons]], [[CH-47 Chinook]] and [[C-130 Hercules]]. The final branch, the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN), is the [[navy]] of the [[Singapore Armed Forces]], responsible for the defence of Singapore against sea-borne threats and protection of its [[sea lines of communication]]s. Operating within the crowded [[littoral]] waters of the [[Singapore Strait]], the RSN is regarded as one of the best in the region.<ref>{{cite book| author= Huxley, Tim| title= Defending the Lion City| publisher= Allen & Unwin| year= 2001| id= ISBN 1-86508-118-3}}</ref> The RSN operates from two bases, [[Tuas Naval Base]] and [[Changi Naval Base]], and has a large number of vessels, including 4 submarines, 6 frigates, and 4 amphibious transport docks. All commissioned ships of the RSN have a prefix ''RSS'', which means ''Republic of Singapore Ship''. ===Singapore Police Force=== {{main|Singapore Police Force}} The Singapore Police Force (SPF) is the main agency tasked with [[Law enforcement in Singapore|maintaining law and order]] in the country<ref>[http://www.photius.com/countries/singapore/national_security/singapore_national_security_public_order_and_int~1587.html Singapore PUBLIC ORDER AND INTERNAL SECURITY - Flags, Maps, Economy, History, Climate, Natural Resources, Current Issues, International Agreements, Population, Social Statistics, Political System]</ref>. Formerly known as the Republic of Singapore Police, it has grown from an 11-man organisation to a 38,587 strong force. It enjoys a relatively positive public image,<ref>{{cite news| publisher= [[The Straits Times]]|date= 2000-01-24| title= Good job, police}}</ref> and is credited for helping to arrest Singapore's civic unrests and lawlessness in its early years, and maintaining the low crime rate today.<ref>{{cite news| publisher= [[The Straits Times]]| accessdate= 2008-02-26 |title= Singapore is so safe some don't even lock up: survey}}</ref> The organisation structure of the SPF is split between the staff and line functions, roughly modelled after the military. There are currently 15 staff departments and 13 line units. The SPF is headquartered in a block at New Phoenix Park in [[Novena, Singapore|Novena]], adjacent to a twin block occupied by the [[Interior minister|Ministry of Home Affairs]]. Police officers typically respond to calls in rapid-deployment vehicles known as the [[Fast Response Car]]. They have been staunch users of Japanese-made [[saloon car]]s since the 1980s for patrol duties, with the mainstay models in use being the various generations of the [[Mitsubishi Lancer]]s, [[Mazda 323]]s, [[Toyota Corolla]]s & Subaru Impreza. [[Image:Scdf.jpg|thumb|left|An SCDF Combined Platform Ladder (CPL) Vehicle]] ===Singapore Civil Defence Force=== {{main|Singapore Civil Defence Force}} The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) is the main agency in charge of the provision of [[emergency services]] in Singapore during peacetime and emergencies. A uniformed organisation under the purview of the [[Ministry of Home Affairs (Singapore)|Ministry of Home Affairs]], the SCDF provides [[ambulance]], [[fire fighting]] and emergency response services to the Republic of Singapore. It also plays a major role in the Republic's [[disaster relief]] operations. It is branched into 6 Operational and Training Divisions beneath the Headquarters Element. Of these six, four are known as Operational Divisions, also known as Territorial Divisions, and each cover vast sections of Singapore corresponding roughly to the four cardinal points of the compass. The SCDF maintains a large fleet of custom vehicles, called appliances, to provide an emergency response force capable of mitigating any and all kinds of fires and disasters. Ranging from the generic [[fire truck]] and [[ambulance]] to more sophisticated mobile command structures and disaster mitigation vehicles of all kinds, many of the appliances were designed and commissioned by the Force itself rather than obtaining ready-made designs from industries. === National Service === {{main|National Service in Singapore}} Singapore legislation requires every able-bodied male Singapore citizen and second-generation permanent resident to undertake [[National Service in Singapore|National Service]] for a minimum of 2 years upon reaching 18 years of age or completion of his studies (whichever comes first), with exemption on medical or other grounds. After serving for two years, every male is considered operationally ready, and is liable for reservist national service to the age of 40 (50 for commissioned officers). More than 350,000 men serve as operationally-ready servicemen assigned to reservist combat units, and another 72,500 men form the full-time national service and regular corps. ==Demographics== {{main|Demographics of Singapore}} ===Population=== [[Image:Sri Mariamman Temple 2, Dec 05.JPG|upright|thumb|right|Built in 1843, the [[Sri Mariamman Temple, Singapore|Sri Mariamman Temple]] is the largest Hindu [[temple]] in Singapore. It is also one of the many religious buildings marked as [[National Monuments of Singapore|national monuments]] for their historical value.]]According to government statistics, the population of Singapore as of 2007 was 4.59 million, of whom 3.58 million were [[Singaporean nationality law|Singaporean citizens]] and permanent residents (termed 'Singapore Residents').<ref>{{cite web| title= Singapore Statistic| url= http://www.singstat.gov.sg/stats/keyind.html#popnarea| publisher= Singapore Statistic| accessdate= 2008-05-31}}</ref> [[Chinese in Singapore|Chinese]] formed 75.2% of 'Singapore Residents', [[Malays in Singapore|Malays]] 13.6%, [[Indians in Singapore|Indians]] 8.8%, while [[Eurasians in Singapore|Eurasians]] and other groups formed 2.4%. In 2006 the crude birth rate stood at 10.1 per 1000, a very low level attributed to birth control policies, and the crude death rate was also one of the lowest in the world at 4.3 per 1000. The total population growth was 4.4% with Singapore residents growth at 1.8%. The higher percentage growth rate is largely from net immigration, but also increasing life expectancy. Singapore is the second-[[List of countries by population density|most densely populated independent country]] in the world after [[Monaco]], excluding [[Macau]] and [[Hong Kong]], which are [[special administrative regions of the People's Republic of China]]. In 1957, Singapore's population was approximately 1.45 million, and there was a relatively high birth rate. Aware of the country's extremely limited natural resources and small territory, the government introduced birth control policies in the late 1960s. In the late 1990s, the population was ageing, with fewer people entering the labour market and a shortage of skilled workers. In a dramatic reversal of policy, the Singapore government introduced a "baby bonus" scheme in 2001 (enhanced in August 2004) that encouraged couples to have more children.<ref>{{cite web| title= Baby Bonus| url= http://www.babybonus.gov.sg| publisher= Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports| accessdate= 2006-11-01}}</ref> In 2006, the total fertility rate was only 1.26 children per woman, the 3rd lowest in the world and well below the 2.10 needed to replace the population. <ref>[https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2127rank.html CIA - Singapore]</ref> In 2006, 38,317 babies were born, compared to around 37,600 in 2005. This number, however, is not sufficient to maintain the population's growth. To overcome this problem, the government is encouraging foreigners to immigrate to Singapore. These large numbers of immigrants have kept Singapore's population from declining.<ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/257208/1/.html| title= Singapore's birth trend outlook remains dismal| publisher= Channel NewsAsia}}</ref> ===Religion=== {{main|Religion in Singapore}} {{bar box |title=Religion in Singapore |titlebar=#ddd |left1=religion |right1=percent |float=right |bars= {{bar percent|Buddhism|yellow|42.5}} {{bar percent|No religion|gray|14.8}} {{bar percent|Christianity|blue|14.6}} {{bar percent|Islam|green|13.9}} {{bar percent|Taoism|red|8.5}} {{bar percent|Hinduism|orange|4}} {{bar percent|Others|purple|1.6}} }} [[Image:Saint Andrew's Cathedral, Jan 06.JPG|thumb|left|[[Saint Andrew's Cathedral, Singapore|Saint Andrew's Cathedral]]]] Singapore is a [[Religion in Singapore|multi-religious country]]. According to ''Statistics Singapore'', around 51 percent of resident Singaporeans (excluding significant numbers of visitors and migrant workers) practice [[Buddhism]] and [[Taoism]]. About 15 percent, mostly Chinese , Eurasians, and Indians, practice [[Christianity]] - a broad classification including Catholicism, Protestantism and other denominations. [[Islam|Muslims]] constitute 14 percent, of whom Malays account for the majority with a substantial number of [[Indians in Singapore|Indian]] [[Muslims]] and Chinese Muslims. Smaller minorities practice [[Sikhism]], [[Hinduism in Singapore|Hinduism]], the [[Bahá'í Faith]] and others, according to the 2000 census.<ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.singstat.gov.sg/keystats/c2000/religion.pdf| archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20070628062428/http://www.singstat.gov.sg/keystats/c2000/religion.pdf| archivedate= 2007-06-28| title= Census of Population 2000 by religion, ethnic group, and gender| work= Statistics Singapore| publisher= [[Singapore Department of Statistics]]| accessdate= 2007-03-12}}</ref> Some religious materials and practices are banned in Singapore. The [[Jehovah's Witnesses]], for example, are prohibited from distributing religious materials<ref>[http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2002/13909.htm International Religious Freedom Report 2002: Singapore]</ref> and are sometimes jailed for their conscientious refusals to serve in the Singaporean military.<ref>[http://www.wri-irg.org/co/rtba/singapore.htm Singapore: CONCODOC 1998 report]</ref> About 15 percent of the population declared no religious affiliation. ===Education=== [[Image:Nh-students.JPG|thumb|Students having assembly in the hall of a Singapore [[Education in Singapore#Secondary education|secondary school]].]] English is the first language learned by half the children by the time they reach preschool age and is the primary medium of instruction in primary school; however mother tongues are taught in the respective languages. Many children attend private kindergartens until they start at primary school at the age of six. Singapore's ruling political party, the PAP, is a big provider of preschool education through its community arm. English is the language of instruction for mathematics and the natural sciences. For the Chinese community, there are [[Special Assistance Plan]] schools which receive extra funding to teach in Mandarin. Some schools also integrate language subjects with mathematics and the sciences, using both English and a second language. Curricular standards are set by the [[Ministry of Education (Singapore)|Ministry of Education]] with a mix of private schools and public schools. There is no strict public-private dichotomy: the degree of autonomy, regarding curriculum and student admission, government funding received, and tuition burden on the students is further classified into "government-run", "government-aided", "autonomous", "independent", and "privately-funded".<ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.moe.gov.sg/corporate/secondary_02.htm| archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20061111160921/http://www.moe.gov.sg/corporate/secondary_02.htm| archivedate= 2006-11-11| title= Education System:Secondary| accessdate= 2006-05-01}}</ref> In addition, [[international school]]s cater to [[expatriate]] students, and to a few local students given permission by the education ministry. There are [[List of universities in Singapore|four state universities]] in Singapore; the [[National University of Singapore]], [[Nanyang Technological University]], [[Singapore Management University]] and [[SIM University]]. A further public university is under consideration as the government looks to provide higher education for 30 percent of each cohort<ref name="FourthPublicUni">{{cite news| title=More tertiary options in 2008 and beyond| url= http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/318031/1/.html| accessdate= 2007-12-18| publisher= Channel News Asia| author= Hoe Yeen Nie}}</ref>. There are also five polytechnics ([[Temasek Polytechnic]], [[Singapore Polytechnic]], [[Ngee Ann Polytechnic]], [[Nanyang Polytechnic]] and [[Republic Polytechnic]]). Unlike similarly named institutions in many other countries, Singapore polytechnics do not teach to degree level. The educational system features non-compulsory kindergarten for three years, followed by six years of primary education concluding with the [[Primary School Leaving Examination]] (PSLE). Four to five years of secondary education follow, leading to N level or [[Singaporean GCE 'O' Level]] examinations that assess their individual subject mastery and determine which kind of [[Post-secondary education|tertiary education]] they can pursue. Junior colleges like Tampines Junior College and [[Millennia Institute]] provide a two or three-year pre-university education route to university. An alternative, the [[Integrated Programme]], lets the more academically-inclined skip 'O' levels to proceed straight to 'A' levels. [[Polytechnic]]s offer courses leading to a diploma for students as a substitute for 'A' levels while tertiary institutions offer various bachelor's, master's, doctoral degrees, other higher diplomas, and associate degree courses. Other institutes include the National Institute of Education (NIE), a teaching college to train teachers, various [[management institute]]s, and [[vocational education]] institutes such as the [[Institute of Technical Education]] (ITE). The Economic Development Board (EDB) has been actively recruiting foreign schools to set up campuses in Singapore under the "Global Schoolhouse" programme which aims to attract 150000 foreign students by 2015<ref name="GlobalSchoolhouse">{{cite web| url= http://www.sedb.com/edb/sg/en_uk/index/news_room/publications/singapore_investment2/singapore_investment0/singapore__the_global.html|title=Singapore: The Global Schoolhouse| date= 2006-02-01| author= Singapore Economic Development Board| accessdate= 2007-12-14}}</ref>. [[INSEAD]], a leading business school, opened its first overseas campus here in 2001, while [[ESSEC]] Business School, a century-old Parisian business school, provide courses specific to Asia. [[University of Chicago Graduate School of Business]] has a campus here as well. [[Tisch School of the Arts]] was the latest to set up a branch campus here in 2007. However, the EDB failed to attract and retain [[Warwick University]] and [[University of New South Wales]], respectively, citing lack of academic freedom <ref name="WarwickFreedom">{{cite news| title= Warwick’s decision disrupts Singapore’s plans| publisher= Financial Times| date= 2005-10-20|url= http://www.yawningbread.org/apdx_2005/imp-226.htm| author=John Burton| accessdate= 2007-12-14}}</ref> and financial concerns <ref name="UNSWFinance">{{cite news|title=Shock closure of UNSW in Singapore|url= http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporebusinessnews/view/278073/1/.html| publisher= ChannelNewsAsia| date= 2007-05-24| accessdate= 2007-12-14| author= Derrick A Paulo}}</ref>. In 1999, the Ministry of Education started the [[Programme for Rebuilding and Improving Existing schools]] (PRIME) to upgrade school buildings, many of which were built over 20 to 30 years ago, in phases at a cost of S$4.5 billion.<ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.moe.gov.sg/prime/prime.htm| archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20070823024237/http://www.moe.gov.sg/prime/prime.htm |archivedate= 2007-08-23| title= Programme For Rebuilding and Improving Existing schools (PRIME)| publisher= MOE-PRIME, Ministry of Education| accessdate= 2007-05-15}}</ref> This programme achieves to provide a better school environment for the students by upgrading school buildings to latest standards. In 2005, the Flexible School Infrastructure (FlexSI) framework was implemented through the building of modular classrooms which can be opened up for larger lectures, and allowing a school's staff members to mould their school's designs to suit the school's unique identity and culture. At the same time, an indoor sports hall will be provided to every school so that schools can carry out physical education lessons in inclement weather.<ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.moe.gov.sg/press/2007/pr20070214.htm| title= Eight More Schools to Benefit from Upgrading| publisher= Ministry of Education Press Releases| accessdate= 2007-05-15}}</ref> ===Foreign relations=== {{main|Foreign relations of Singapore}} Singapore maintains diplomatic relations with 175 countries <ref>{{cite web| title= Singapore Missions Worldwide| publisher= Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Singapore| date= [[31 March]] [[2007]]| url= http://notesapp.internet.gov.sg/mfa/dipcon/dipcon.nsf/SMAgent| archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20070821210744/http://notesapp.internet.gov.sg/mfa/dipcon/dipcon.nsf/SMAgent| archivedate= 2007-08-21}}</ref> although it does not maintain a [[high commission]] or [[Diplomatic mission|embassy]] in many of those countries. It is a member of the [[United Nations]], the [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]], [[ASEAN]] and the [[Non-Aligned Movement]]. Due to obvious geographical reasons, relations with [[#Malaysia|Malaysia]] and [[#Indonesia|Indonesia]] are most important but the domestic politics of the three countries often threatens their relations. On the other hand, Singapore enjoys good relations with many European nations, including [[France]], [[Germany]] and the [[United Kingdom]], the latter sharing ties via the [[Five Power Defence Arrangements]] (FPDA) along with [[Malaysia]], [[Australia]] and [[New Zealand]]. Good relations are also maintained with the [[#United States|United States]], a country perceived as a stabilizing force in the region to counterbalance the regional powers. Singapore supports the concept of Southeast [[Asia]]n regionalism and plays an active role in the [[Association of Southeast Asian Nations]] (ASEAN), of which Singapore is a founding member. Singapore is also a member of the [[Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation]] (APEC) forum, which has its Secretariat in Singapore. Singapore also has close relations with fellow ASEAN nation [[Brunei]] and maintains Army training facilities in the Sultanate. ====Disputes==== Singapore has several long-standing disputes with Malaysia over a number of issues: *Water deliveries to Singapore <ref>{{cite web| publisher= [[Central Intelligence Agency]]| work= The World Factbook| title= Singapore: Transnational Issues| url= https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/sn.html#Issues| date= 2008-05-01}}</ref><ref>[http://www.singapore-window.org/sw02/021016re.htm No sign of deal in Malaysia-Singapore water talks.]</ref> *Mutual maritime boundaries *Air routes between [[Singapore Changi Airport]] and [[Kuala Lumpur International Airport]] [[Image:Pedra Branca island.png|thumb|The dispute over the ownership of Pedra Branca, an outcrop of rocks, was resolved on the 24th of May 2008 (Singapore time) by the International Court of Justice between Singapore and Malaysia (see text).]] *The Singapore island known as [[Pedra Branca, Singapore|Pedra Branca]] in Singapore and as [[Pedra Branca, Singapore|Pulau Batu Puteh]] in Malaysia (names mean "White Rock" in [[Portuguese language|Portuguese]] and "White Rock Island" in [[Malay language|Malay]] respectively), located {{convert|24|nmi|km|0|lk=on|abbr=off}} off the east coast of Singapore with a land area of {{convert|2000|m2|sqyd|0|abbr=on}} (the island also comprises Middle Rocks owned by Malaysia which are two clusters of rocks situated {{convert|0.6|nmi|km|1|abbr=on}} south of Pedra Branca. Whereas South Ledge, a rock formation which can be seen only at low tide will be decided by June 2008). Both countries have staked a claim on the island and have been unable to settle the dispute between themselves. The case was heard at the [[International Court of Justice]] in 2007, with both parties presenting their case. The court had delivered its judgment on 23 May 2008 with Singapore having ownership of Pedra Branca and Malaysia owning Middle Rocks. The final verdict on South Ledge is still disputed and being negotiated by a committee formed by both countries.<ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.icj-cij.org/docket/files/130/14480.pdf| title= Court to deliver its Judgment on Friday 23 May 2008 at 10 a.m.| publisher= [[International Court of Justice]]| accessdate= 2008-05-13}}</ref> *Relocating the Singapore station of Malaysia's [[Keretapi Tanah Melayu]] from Tanjong Pagar to Bukit Timah (see [[Malaysia-Singapore Points of Agreement of 1990]]) and moving Malaysia's immigration checkpoint from the railway station to the Causeway. *Not allowing laid off workers, employed in Singapore shipyards in 1998, to receive their [[Central Provident Fund]]s (CPF) contributions, which are estimated to be RM2.4 billion. ===Languages=== [[Image:DangerKeepOut.jpg|thumb|Construction site sign showing Singapore's four [[official languages]]: [[English language|English]], [[Mandarin]], [[Tamil language|Tamil]], and [[Malay]].]] {{main|Languages of Singapore}} The national language of Singapore is [[Malay language|Malay]] for historical reasons, and it is used in the national anthem, "[[Majulah Singapura]]". The official languages are [[English language|English]], [[Malay language|Malay]], [[Standard Mandarin|Mandarin]] and [[Tamil language|Tamil]]. English has been promoted as the country's language of administration since its independence. The English used is primarily based on [[British English]], with some [[American English]] influences. The use of English became widespread in Singapore after it was implemented as a first language medium in the [[Education in Singapore|education system]], and English is the most common language in [[Literature of Singapore|Singaporean literature]]. In school, children are required to learn English and one of the three other official languages. Public signs and official publications are in English, although there are usually translated versions in other official languages. However, most Singaporeans speak a localised hybrid form of English known as [[Singlish]] ("Singapore English"), which has many [[creole language|creole]]-like characteristics, incorporating vocabulary and grammar from Standard English, various [[Spoken Chinese|Chinese dialects]], Malay, and [[India]]n languages.The second-most common language in Singapore is [[Standard Mandarin|Mandarin]] with over seventy percent of the population having it as a [[second language]]. ==Culture== {{main|Culture of Singapore}} Singapore is a mixture of [[Malays in Singapore|an indigenous Malay]] population with a [[Chinese in Singapore|third generation Chinese]] majority, as well as [[Indian Singaporean|Indian]] and [[Arab Singaporean|Arab]] immigrants with some intermarriages.<ref>In reality, there are very few people in Singapore who can claim to be truly indigenous to the island of Singapore. Other than people who can trace their ancestry to the small number of Orang Laut and Malay fisherfolk living on the island then, the peoples of Singapore {including the Malays} are basically descendants of immigrants who came to Singapore to take advantage of the economic opportunities made available by the founding of modern Singapore by Raffles.</ref> There also exist significant [[Eurasian Singaporean|Eurasian]] and ''[[Peranakan]]'' (known also as 'Straits Chinese') communities. ===Cuisine=== [[Image:LavendarFC copy.jpg|thumb|left|Enjoying [[Cuisine of Singapore|Singaporean cuisine]]. [[Hawker centre]]s and [[kopi tiam]]s are evenly distributed.]] {{main|Cuisine of Singapore}} Singaporean cuisine is an example of diversity and cultural diffusion in Singapore, with a fusion of [[Chinese food|Chinese]], [[Indian cuisine|Indian]], [[Cuisine of Malaysia|Malay]] and [[Tamil cuisine|Tamil]] influences. In Singapore's [[hawker centre]]s, traditionally [[Malay people|Malay]] hawker stalls selling [[halal]] food may serve halal versions of traditionally [[Tamil people|Tamil]] food. Chinese food stalls may introduce indigenous Malay ingredients or cooking techniques. This continues to make the cuisine of Singapore a significant cultural attraction. Local foods are diverse, ranging from [[Hainanese chicken rice]] to [[satay]]. Singaporeans also enjoy a wide variety of seafood including crabs, clams, squid, and oysters. One such dish is stingray barbecued and served on banana leaf and with ''[[sambal]]'' or chili. Amongst locals, popular dishes include bak chor mee, mee poh, sambal stingray, laksa, nasi lemak, chili crab and satay. All of which, can be found at local hawker centres around Singapore. ===Performing arts=== [[Image:Esplanade by slivester for wiki.jpg|thumb|right|Esplanade, Theatres on the Bay]] {{see also|Music of Singapore}} Since the 1990s, the government has been striving to promote Singapore as a centre for arts and culture, and to transform the country into a [[Multiculturalism|cosmopolitan]] 'gateway between the East and West'.<ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.mica.gov.sg/renaissance/FinalRen.pdf| title= Renaissance City Report: Culture and the Arts in Renaissance Singapore (Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts)| accessdate= 2006-05-01}}</ref> The highlight of these efforts was the construction of [[Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay|Esplanade]], a centre for performing arts that opened on [[October 12]], [[2002]].<ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Asia/Singapore/Singapore-1495679/Things_To_Do-Singapore-Esplanade_Theatres_by_the_Bay-BR-1.html| title= Virtual Tourist: Reviews of Esplanade (Theatres by the Bay)| accessdate= 2006-03-28}}</ref> An annual [[Singapore Arts Festival|arts festival]] is also organised by the National Arts Council that incorporates theatre arts, dance, music and visual arts, among other possibilities. A first [[Singapore Biennale]] took place in 2006 to showcase contemporary art from around the world. The next one will be in 2008 which will feature Southeast Asian works. ===Media=== {{main|Media of Singapore}} Around 38,000 people work in the media in Singapore, including publishing, print, broadcasting, film, music, digital and IT media sectors. The industry contributed 1.56% to Singapore's [[gross domestic product]] (GDP) in 2001 with an annual turnover of [[S$]]10 billion. The industry grew at an average rate of 7.7% annually from 1990 to 2000, and the government seeks to increase its GDP contribution to 3% by 2012. The Singapore government says the media play an important role in the country, and describes the city as one of the key strategic media centres in the [[Asia-Pacific]] region.<ref>{{cite web| title = Media Overview| work = Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts| url = http://www.mica.gov.sg/mica_business/b_media.html| accessdate = 2006-09-17}}</ref> The goal of the [[Government of Singapore|government]]'s [[Media 21]] plan, launched in 2002,<ref>{{cite web| title= Media 21: Transforming Singapore into a Global Media City| work= Media Development Authority Singapore| url= http://www.mda.gov.sg/wms.ftp/media21.pdf | accessdate= 2006-09-17 }}</ref> is to establish Singapore as a global media hub. In its Annual Worldwide Press Freedom Index for 2004, Reporters Without Borders ranked Singapore 147 out of 167. Most of the local media are directly or indirectly controlled by the government through shareholdings of these media entities by the state's investment arm Temasek Holdings, and are often perceived as pro-government. ====Broadcasting==== {{Main|Broadcasting in Singapore}} State-owned [[MediaCorp]] operates all seven free-to-air terrestrial local [[television]] channels licensed to broadcast in Singapore, as well as 14 [[radio]] channels. Radio and television stations are all government-owned entities. All seven television channels are owned by MediaCorp. The radio stations are mainly operated by MediaCorp with the exception of four stations, which are operated by [[SAFRA Radio]] and [[SPH UnionWorks]] respectively. Private ownership of satellite dish receivers capable of viewing uncensored televised content from abroad is illegal. ====Print==== {{Main|List of newspapers in Singapore}} [[Image:Stpaper.jpg|thumb|The Straits Times, the most circulated newspaper in the country]] There are a total of 16 [[newspapers]] in active circulation. Daily newspapers are published in [[English language|English]], [[Chinese language|Chinese]], [[Malay language|Malay]] and [[Tamil language|Tamil]]. Print is dominated by [[Singapore Press Holdings]] (SPH), the government-linked publisher of the flagship English-language daily, ''[[The Straits Times]]''. SPH publishes all other daily newspapers with the exception of ''[[Today (Singapore newspaper)|Today]]'', a free English-language tabloid published by the state-owned broadcaster [[MediaCorp]]. There are also several popular magazines circulating in Singapore, like i-weekly, 8 days, Maxim Singapore and FHM Singapore. ===Sport and recreation=== {{main|Sports in Singapore}} Singaporeans participate in a wide variety of sports and recreational activities. Favorite sports include football, cricket, swimming, badminton, basketball, rugby union, [[volleyball]] and table tennis. Most people live in [[Housing and Development Board|public residential areas]] that often provide amenities such as swimming pools, outdoor basketball courts and indoor sport complexes. As might be expected on an island, water sports are popular, including sailing, kayaking and water skiing. Scuba diving is another recreation, particularly around the southern island of [[Pulau Hantu]] which is known for its rich coral reefs. [[Image:Stadium-Closing-Ceremony-Panorama.jpg|thumb|right|270px|Closing ceremony for the use of the National Stadium]] The 55,000 seat [[National Stadium, Singapore]], located in Kallang was opened in July 1973 and was used for sporting, cultural, entertainment and national events until its official closure on [[30 June]] [[2007]] to make way for the [[Singapore Sports Hub]] on the same site. This sports complex is expected to be ready by 2011 and will comprise a new 55,000-capacity National Stadium with a retractable roof, a 6,000-capacity indoor aquatic centre, a 400-metre warm-up athletic track and a 3,000-seater multi-purpose arena. 36,000 square metres of space have also been reserved for commercial development. Golf is gaining popularity among Singaporeans. There are 15 golf clubs in Singapore. Some golfers prefer travelling to regional golf courses especially in Johor, Malaysia, due to relatively cheaper club membership. Singaporean sportsmen have performed in regional as well as international competitions in sports such as [[table tennis]], [[badminton]], [[bowling]], [[sailing]], [[silat]], [[swimming]] and [[water polo]]. Athletes such as [[Fandi Ahmad]], [[Ang Peng Siong]], [[Li Jiawei]] and [[Ronald Susilo]] have become household names in the country. The [[Singapore Slingers]] joined the [[National Basketball League (Australia)|Australian National Basketball League]] in 2006 and have three Singaporeans in their squad. Despite being the team with the largest support pool in the NBL, they generally get the smallest crowds in the NBL. Beginning in 2008, Singapore will be hosting a round of the [[Singapore Grand Prix|Formula One World Championship]]. The race will be staged at the [[Singapore Street Circuit]] in the [[Marina Bay, Singapore|Marina Bay]] area and will become the first night race on the F1 circuit<ref name="News - Singapore confirms 2008 night race">{{cite web| title= News - Singapore confirms 2008 night race|publisher= [[Formula1.com]]| url= http://www.formula1.com/news/6063.html| archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20070613015932/http://www.formula1.com/news/6063.html| archivedate= 2007-06-13| accessdate= 2007-05-18}}</ref> and the first street circuit in Asia<ref name="1stStreet">{{cite web| title= SingTel to sponsor first Singapore Grand Prix| publisher= [[Formula1.com]]| url= http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2007/11/7101.html| accessdate= 2007-12-10| date= 2007-11-16}}</ref>. On [[21 February]] [[2008]], the [[International Olympic Committee]] announced<ref name="Singapore to host first edition of the Youth Olympic Games in 2010">{{cite web|url= http://www.olympic.org/uk/news/media_centre/press_release_uk.asp?release=2492 |title= Youth Olympic Games 2010 (Singapore) |accessdate= 2008-03-15}}</ref> that Singapore won the bid to host the inaugural [[2010 Summer Youth Olympics]]. [http://www.singapore2010.sg/ Singapore] beat [[Moscow]] in the final by 53 votes to 44. ==Architecture== [[Image:Raffles Place Skyscrapers 4, Jan 06.JPG|upright|thumb|left|The three [[Tall buildings in Singapore|tallest buildings in Singapore]] are located at [[Raffles Place]], namely, from left to right, [[Republic Plaza, Singapore|Republic Plaza]], [[UOB Plaza One]] and [[OUB Centre]]. All three buildings are 280 metres in height.]] {{main|Architecture of Singapore}} The architecture of Singapore is varied, reflecting the ethnic build-up of the country. Singapore has several ethnic neighbourhoods, including [[Chinatown, Singapore|Chinatown]] and [[Little India, Singapore|Little India]]. These were formed under the [[Raffles Plan of Singapore|Raffles Plan]] to segregate the immigrants. Many places of worship were also constructed during the colonial era. [[Sri Mariamman Temple, Singapore|Sri Mariamman Temple]], the [[Masjid Jamae]] mosque and the [[Church of Gregory the Illuminator]] are among those that were built during the colonial period. Work is now underway to preserve these religious sites as [[National Monuments of Singapore]]. Due to the lack of space and lack of preservation policies during the 1960s, 70s and 80s, few historical buildings remain in the Central Business District (CBD) - the [[Fullerton Hotel]] and the previously-moved [[Lau Pa Sat]] being some exceptions. However, just outside of Raffles Place, and throughout the rest of the downtown core, there is a large scattering of pre-WWII buildings - some going back nearly as far as Raffles, as with the [[Empress Place Building]], built in 1827. Many classical buildings were destroyed during the post-war decades, up until the 1990s, when the government started strict programmes to conserve the buildings and areas of historic value. Past the shopping malls are streets lined with shophouses. Many other such areas have been gazetted as historic districts. Information can be found at the [[Urban Redevelopment Authority|URA]] Centre in Maxwell Road, where there are exhibits and several models of the island and its architecture. Singapore has also become a centre for [[postmodern architecture]]. Historically, the demand for high-end buildings has been in and around the Central Business District (CBD). After decades of development, the CBD has become an area with many tall office buildings. These buildings comprise the skyline along the coast of Marina Bay and Raffles Place, a tourist attraction in Singapore. Plans for tall buildings must be reviewed by the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore.<ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.caas.gov.sg/caas/en/e-Services/ANO_Hazard_C/view_building_height_res_map.html| publisher= Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore| title= Building Height Restriction Map}}</ref> No building in Singapore may be taller than 280 metres.<ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.liechtenstein.li/en/pdf-fl-multimedia-information-bilateral-singapur.pdf| title= Liechtenstein - Singapore: a comparison}}</ref> The three tallest buildings in Singapore, namely [[Republic Plaza, Singapore|Republic Plaza]], [[UOB Plaza One]] and [[OUB Centre]], are all 280 metres in height. ==Resources== ===Water resource=== {{main|Water resources of Singapore}} Without natural freshwater rivers and lakes, the primary domestic source of [[water supply]] in Singapore is rainfall, collected in reservoirs or catchment areas. About half of Singapore's water comes from rain collected in reservoirs. Most of the rest comes from Malaysia. The two countries have long argued about the legality of agreements to supply water that were signed in colonial times. Presently, more catchment areas, facilities to recycle water (producing NEWater) and desalination plants are being built. This "four tap" strategy aims to reduce reliance on foreign supply and to diversify its water sources. Singapore has a network of reservoirs and water catchment areas. By 2001, there were 19 raw water reservoirs, 9 treatment works and 14 storage or service reservoirs locally to serve domestic needs. [[Marina Barrage]] is a dam being constructed around the estuary of three Singapore rivers, creating by 2009 a huge freshwater reservoir, the Marina Bay reservoir.<ref>{{cite news |title= Marina Barrage |url= http://www.pub.gov.sg/Marina/about.htm |date= [[2007-09-23]] |publisher= PUB}}</ref> When developed, this will increase the rainfall catchment to two-thirds of the country's surface area. Historically, Singapore relied on imports from Malaysia to supply half of its water consumption. However, the two water agreements that supply Singapore with this water are due to expire by 2011 and 2061 respectively and the two countries are engaged in a dispute on the price of water. Without a resolution in sight, the government of Singapore decided to increase self-sufficiency in its water supply.<ref>{{cite web| title=Clean Water| publisher= Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, Singapore| accessdate= 2006-04-14| url= http://app.mewr.gov.sg/home.asp?cid=167&nid=167&id=SAS763}}</ref> More [[NEWater]] and desalination plants are being built or proposed to reduce reliance on import.<ref>{{cite web| title= Clean Water| publisher= Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, Singapore| accessdate= 2006-04-14| url= http://app.mewr.gov.sg/home.asp?cid=167&nid=167&id=SAS763}}</ref> ==Transport== {{main|Transport in Singapore}} ===International=== [[Image:singapore port panorama.jpg|thumb|center|600px|The [[Port of Singapore]] with [[Sentosa]] island in the background.]] Singapore is a major Asian transportation hub, positioned on many sea and air trade routes. The [[Port of Singapore]], managed by port operators [[PSA International]] and [[Jurong Port]], was the world's busiest port in 2005 in terms of shipping tonnage handled, at 1.15 billion [[gross ton]]s, and in terms of [[container (cargo)|container]]ised traffic, at 23.2 million [[twenty-foot equivalent unit]]s (TEUs). It was also the world's second busiest in terms of cargo tonnage, coming behind [[Shanghai]] with 423 million tons handled. In addition, the Port is the world's busiest for [[transshipment]] traffic and the world's biggest ship refuelling centre.<ref>{{cite news| title= Singapore remains world's busiest port| url= http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2006-01/12/content_4045562.htm| date= 2006-01-12| publisher= Xinhuanet}}</ref> [[Image:psa keppel.JPG|thumb|left|PSA Keppel]] Singapore is an aviation hub for the [[Southeast Asia]]n region and a stopover on the [[Kangaroo route]] between [[Australasia]] and [[Europe]]. [[Singapore Changi Airport]] has a network of 81 airlines connecting Singapore to 185 cities in 58 countries. It has been rated as one of the best international airports by international travel magazines, including being rated as the world's best airport for the first time in 2006 by [[Skytrax]].<ref> {{cite web| title=2006 Airport of the Year result| accessdate= 2006-06-01| url= http://www.worldairportawards.com/Awards-2006/AirportYear-2006.htm| archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20061231160516/http://www.worldairportawards.com/Awards-2006/AirportYear-2006.htm| archivedate= 2006-12-31}}</ref>. The airport currently has three passenger terminals. There is also a budget terminal, which serves budget carrier [[Tiger Airways]] and [[Cebu Pacific]]. The national carrier is [[Singapore Airlines]] (SIA). The government is moving towards privatising Changi airport. Singapore is linked to [[Johor]], Malaysia via the [[Johor-Singapore Causeway]] and the [[Tuas Second Link]], as well as a railway operated by [[Keretapi Tanah Melayu]] of Malaysia, with its southern terminus at [[Tanjong Pagar railway station]]. Frequent ferry service to several nearby Indonesian ports also exists. [[Image:Kawasaki c751 eunos.jpg|thumb|left|A [[Kawasaki Heavy Industries & Nippon Sharyo C751B cars|C751B train]] at [[Eunos MRT Station]] on the [[Mass Rapid Transit (Singapore)|Mass Rapid Transit]] (MRT) system, one of three heavy rail passenger transport lines in Singapore.]] ===Domestic=== The domestic transport infrastructure has a well-connected island-wide [[road transport in Singapore|road transport system]] which includes a [[expressways of Singapore|network of expressways]]. The public road system is served by the [[Bus transport in Singapore|nation's bus service]] and a number of licensed [[Taxicab|taxi]]-operating companies. The public bus transport has been the subject of criticism by Singaporeans, the majority of whom are dependent on it for their daily commuting. Since 1987, the heavy rail passenger [[Mass Rapid Transit (Singapore)|Mass Rapid Transit]] (MRT) [[metro]] system has been in operation. The MRT has been further augmented by the [[Light Rail Transit (Singapore)|Light Rail Transit]] (LRT) [[light rail]] system, adds accessibility to [[housing estate]]s. Established in 2001, [[EZ-Link]] system allows contactless [[Smart card|smartcards]] to serve as stored value tickets for use in the public transport systems in Singapore. More than 2.85 million people use the bus network daily, while more than 1.5 million people use either the LRT or MRT as part of their daily routine.<ref name="LTA Feb 2008">{{cite web |title= 2007 Average Daily Ridership |accessdate= 2008-03-01 |url= http://www.lta.gov.sg/corp_info/doc/Average_Daily_Public_Transport_Ridership.pdf}}</ref> Approximately 945,000 people use the taxi services daily.<ref name="LTA Feb 2008"/> Private vehicle use in the Central Area is discouraged by [[toll road|toll]]s implemented during hours of heavy road traffic, through an [[Electronic Road Pricing]] system. Private vehicle ownership is discouraged by high vehicle taxes and imposing [[Certificate of Entitlement|quotas on vehicle purchase]]. <br style="clear: both;" /> ==Notes== <div style="height: 250px; overflow: auto; padding: 3px; border:1px solid #AAAAAA; reflist2" > {{reflist|2}} </div> <!-- Instructions for adding a footnote: please refer to http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Cite/Cite.php --> ==References== *Hill, Michael, & Kwen Fee Lian (1995). ''The Politics of Nation Building and Citizenship in Singapore''. Routledge. ISBN 041512025X *{{cite book| author= Mauzy, Diane K. & R. S. Milne| title= Singapore Politics: Under the People's Action Party| publisher= Routledge| year= 2002| id= ISBN 0415246539}} *{{cite book| author= Tan, Kenneth Paul| title= Renaissance Singapore? Economy, Culture, and Politics| publisher= NUS Press| year= 2007| id= ISBN 9971693770}} *Yew, Lee Kuan (2000). ''From Third World To First: The Singapore Story: 1965-2000''. New York: HarperCollins. ISBN 0060197765 *{{cite book| author= Worthington, Ross| title =Governance in Singapore| publisher= Routledge/Curzon| year= 2002| id= ISBN 070071474X}} *{{cite web| title= Census of Population (2000)| work= Singapore Department of Statistics| url= http://www.singstat.gov.sg/pubn/popn/cop2000admin.pdf| accessdate= 2000-01-11}} *{{cite web| title= Key Facts & Figures| work= Ministry of Transport, Singapore |url= http://www.mot.gov.sg/| accessdate= 2003-01-11}} * {{cite web| title= Nation's History | work= Singapore Infomap| url= http://www.sg/explore/history.htm| accessdate= 2004-01-11}} *{{cite web| title= MOE-PRIME| work= Programme For Rebuilding and IMproving Existing schools (PRIME)| url= http://www.moe.gov.sg/prime/prime.htm| archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20070823024237/http://www.moe.gov.sg/prime/prime.htm| archivedate= 2007-08-23| accessdate= 2007-05-15}} *{{cite web| title= Press Releases| work= Eight More Schools to Benefit from Upgrading| url= http://www.moe.gov.sg/press/2007/pr20070214.htm| accessdate= 2007-05-15}} ''This article incorporates public domain text from the websites of Singapore Department of Statistics, United States Department of State, [http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/sgtoc.html the United States Library of Congress] & [[The World Factbook|CIA World Factbook]] (2004).'' ==External links== {{ChineseText}} {{Contains Indic text}} {{sisterlinks|Singapore}} {{portal|Singapore|Singapore coa.svg}} <!--===========================({{NoMoreLinks}})===============================--> <!--| DO NOT ADD MORE LINKS TO THIS ARTICLE. 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