A)
Location
& Area
Singapore,
officially
the
Republic
of
Singapore,
is an
island
country
located
at the
southern
tip of
the
Malay
Peninsula.
It lies
137
kilometres
(85 mi)
north of
the
equator,
south of
the
Malaysian
state of
Johor
and
north of
Indonesia's
Riau
Islands.
At 707.1
km2
(273.0
sq mi),
Singapore
is one
of four
remaining
true
city-states
in the
world.
It is
also the
smallest
nation
in
Southeast
Asia.
Singapore
is made
up of a
main
island
(682 sq
km) with
63
islands
surrounding
her. The
larger
ones are
Pulau
Tekong
(2365.5
hectares),
Pulau
Ubin
(1023.9
hectares)
and
Sentosa
(460
hectares).
B) Time
Singapore
is eight
hours
ahead of
GMT
C)
Population
Singapore's
demographics
describe
a
population
of 4.84
million,
as of
June
2008 and
is the
second
most
densely
populated
independent
country
in the
world.
Singapore
is a
multiracial
country
with the
majority
of the
population,
Chinese
forming
75%,
with
substantial
Malay
forming
14% and
Indian
minorities
forming
9% of
the
population
respectively
and the
remaining
by other
ethnic
groups
such as
Eurasians
etc.
Mahayana
Buddhism
is the
first
religion
in
Singapore
though
not
representing
a
majority,
with
significant
numbers
following
Islam,
Christianity,
Hinduism,
Sikhism
or no
religion
at all.
D)
Language
The
national
language
of
Singapore
is
Malay.
English
is the
language
of
administration
and
commerce.
Tamil
and
Chinese
are also
official
languages.
Mandarin
is
increasingly
encouraged
as the
lingua
franca
for the
Chinese
in place
of
dialects
like
Hokkien,
Teochew,
Cantonese,
Hakka,
Hainanese
and
Foochow.
Among
the
Indian
community,
apart
from
Tamil,
other
languages
spoken
are
Malayalam,
Punjabi,
Telegu,
Hindi
and
Bengali.
Most of
the
literate
population
is
bi-lingual,
and
domestically
English
and
Mandarin
are the
most
commonly
used
languages.
In
parliamentary
debates,
members
may
speak
Malay,
Mandarin,
Tamil or
English
and
simultaneous
oral
translations
are
provided.
E)
National
Flower
The
Vanda
Miss
Joaquim,
an
orchid
variety,
is
Singapore's
national
flower.
It was
selected
particularly
because
of its
hardy
and
resilient
qualities
and its
ability
to bloom
throughout
the
year.
These
are
characteristics,
which
reflect
Singapore's
quest
for
progress
and
excellence
in all
aspects
of life.
F)
National
Symbol
The
Singapore
lion
head is
intended
as an
easily
recognizable
national
symbol.
It
symbolizes
courage,
strength
and
excellence,
as well
as
resilience
in the
face of
challenges.
It is in
solid
red
against
a white
background
- the
colours
of the
national
flag.
Its
mane's
five
partings
represent
the same
five
ideals
that are
embodied
in the
five
stars of
the
national
flag,
namely
democracy,
peace,
progress,
justice
and
equality.
Its
tenacious
mien
symbolizes
resolve
to face
and
overcome
challenges.
G)
Currency
The
dollar
(currency
code SGD)
is the
currency
of
Singapore.
It is
normally
abbreviated
with the
dollar
sign $,
or
alternatively
S$ to
distinguish
it from
other
dollar-denominated
currencies.
Banknotes:
$1, $2,
$5, $10,
$50,
$100,
$500,
$1000,
$10 000.
Coins:
5, 10,
20, 50
cents,
$1.
Foreign
currency
or
travellers'
check
can be
easily
changed
in
hotels,
banks
and
authorized
exchange
dealers
located
all
around
the
city. If
the
visitor
needs to
exchange
money
outside
the
usual
working
hours,
there
are 24
hours
exchange
counters
operating
in the
Changi
International
Airport
and in
City
area.
Banks
are
normally
open
from
8.30am
to 6pm
through
lunchtime.
Most
credit
cards
are
accepted
in
hotels,
shops
and
restaurants.
H)
Weather
Conditions
CLIMATE
Singapore
lies
just
north of
the
Equator.
Because
of its
geographical
location
and
maritime
me
exposure,
its
climate
is
characterised
by
uniform
temperature
and
pressure,
high
humidity
and
abundant
rainfall.
The
climate
of
Singapore
can be
divided
into two
main
seasons,
the
Northeast
Monsoon
and the
Southwest
Monsoon
season,
separated
by two
relatively
short
inter-monsoon
periods.
TEMPERATURE
Diurnal
range:
Minimum
23 to 26
deg C
and
Maximum
31 to 34
deg C.
Extremes:
Minimum
of 19.4
deg C
and
Maximum
of 35.8
deg C
PRESSURE
Diurnal
pressure
variation
of 4hPa.
Maximum
pressure
usually
occurring
at 1100
and
2400,
local
Time and
minimum
pressure
occurring
at 0500
and 1700
Local
Time.
Extreme
pressures
recorded
are
1016.9
hPa and
1002.0
hPa.
RELATIVE
HUMIDITY
Diurnal
range in
the high
90's in
the
early
morning
to
around
60 % in
the
mid-afternoon.
Mean
value is
84%,
during
prolonged
heavy
rain;
relative
humidity
often
reaches
100%
RAINFALL
No
distinct
wet or
dry
season.
Rainfall
maximum
occur in
December
and
April.
The
drier
months
are
usually
in
February
and
July.
