CIA - The World Factbook

Singapore was founded as a British trading colony in 1819. It joined the Malaysian Federation in 1963 but separated two years later and became independent. Singapore subsequently became one of the world's most prosperous countries with strong international trading links (its port is one of the world's busiest in terms of tonnage handled) and with per capita GDP equal to that of the leading nations of Western Europe.

Southeastern Asia, islands between Malaysia and Indonesia

slightly more than 3.5 times the size of Washington, DC

tropical; hot, humid, rainy; two distinct monsoon seasons - Northeastern monsoon (December to March) and Southwestern monsoon (June to September); inter-monsoon - frequent afternoon and early evening thunderstorms

lowland; gently undulating central plateau contains water catchment area and nature preserve

fish, deepwater ports

industrial pollution; limited natural fresh water resources; limited land availability presents waste disposal problems; seasonal smoke/haze resulting from forest fires in Indonesia

focal point for Southeast Asian sea routes

4,657,542 (July 2009 est.)

8.82 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)

4.66 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)

5.82 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)

1.09 children born/woman (2009 est.)

fewer than 200 (2007 est.)

Chinese 76.8%, Malay 13.9%, Indian 7.9%, other 1.4% (2000 census)

Buddhist 42.5%, Muslim 14.9%, Taoist 8.5%, Hindu 4%, Catholic 4.8%, other Christian 9.8%, other 0.7%, none 14.8% (2000 census)

Mandarin 35%, English 23%, Malay 14.1%, Hokkien 11.4%, Cantonese 5.7%, Teochew 4.9%, Tamil 3.2%, other Chinese dialects 1.8%, other 0.9% (2000 census)

parliamentary republic

9 August 1965 (from Malaysian Federation)

National Day, 9 August (1965)

3 June 1959; amended 1965 (based on pre-independence State of Singapore Constitution)

based on English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

21 years of age; universal and compulsory

unicameral Parliament (84 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms); note - in addition, there are up to nine nominated members; up to three losing opposition candidates who came closest to winning seats may be appointed as "nonconstituency" members

Supreme Court (chief justice is appointed by the president with the advice of the prime minister, other judges are appointed by the president with the advice of the chief justice); Court of Appeals

People's Action Party or PAP [LEE Hsien Loong]; Reform Party [NG Teck Siong]; Singapore Democratic Alliance or SDA [CHIAM See Tong]; Singapore Democratic Party or SDP [CHEE Soon Juan]; Workers' Party or WP [Sylvia LIM Swee Lian]

ADB, APEC, APT, ARF, ASEAN, BIS, C, CP, EAS, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNMIT, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white; near the hoist side of the red band, there is a vertical, white crescent (closed portion is toward the hoist side) partially enclosing five white five-pointed stars arranged in a circle

Singapore has a highly developed and successful free-market economy. It enjoys a remarkably open and corruption-free environment, stable prices, and a per capita GDP higher than that of most developed countries. The economy depends heavily on exports, particularly in consumer electronics, information technology products, pharmaceuticals, and on a growing service sector. Real GDP growth averaged 7% between 2004 and 2007, but dropped to 1.2% in 2008 as a result of the global financial crisis. The economy contracted in the last three quarters of 2008, and Prime Minister LEE and other senior officials have dampened expectations for a quick rebound in 2009. Over the longer term, the government hopes to establish a new growth path that will be less vulnerable to global demand cycles, especially for information technology products - it has attracted major investments in pharmaceuticals and medical technology production - and will continue efforts to establish Singapore as Southeast Asia's financial and high-tech hub.

$240 billion (2008 est.)

$237.2 billion (2007)

$216.4 billion (2006)

$154.5 billion (2008 est.)

2.94 million (2008 est.)

agriculture 0%, industry 22.6%, services 77.4% (2007)

28.5% of GDP (2008 est.)

99.2% of GDP (2008 est.)

5.38% (31 December 2008)

$52.57 billion (31 December 2008)

$44.4 billion (31 December 2007)

$179 billion (31 December 2008)

$162.2 billion (31 December 2007)

$143.6 billion (31 December 2008)

$129.2 billion (31 December 2007)

$268.6 billion (31 December 2008)

orchids, vegetables; poultry, eggs; fish, ornamental fish

electronics, chemicals, financial services, oil drilling equipment, petroleum refining, rubber processing and rubber products, processed food and beverages, ship repair, offshore platform construction, life sciences, entrepot trade

41.14 billion kWh (2007)

37.42 billion kWh (2007)

8,550 bbl/day (2007)

916,000 bbl/day (2007)

1.27 million bbl/day (2007)

2.44 million bbl/day (2007)

0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.)

6.6 billion cu m (2008 est.)

0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.)

$25.78 billion (2008 est.)

$39.11 billion (2007 est.)

$342.7 billion (2008 est.)

$303.1 billion (2007 est.)

machinery and equipment (including electronics), consumer goods, pharmaceuticals and other chemicals, mineral fuels

Malaysia 12.1%, Indonesia 10.5%, Hong Kong 10.3%, China 9.2%, US 7.1%, Japan 4.9%, Australia 4.1% (2008)

$219.5 billion (2008 est.)

$254 billion (2007 est.)

machinery and equipment, mineral fuels, chemicals, foodstuffs, consumer goods

Malaysia 11.9%, US 11.8%, China 10.5%, Japan 8.1%, South Korea 5.6%, Indonesia 5.5%, Saudi Arabia 4.6% (2008)

$174.2 billion (31 December 2008 est.)

$163 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

$25.52 billion (31 December 2008 est.)

$250.2 billion (31 December 2008 est.)

$232.8 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

$173.9 billion (31 December 2008 est.)

$169.9 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Singapore dollars (SGD) per US dollar - 1.415 (2008 est.), 1.507 (2007), 1.5889 (2006), 1.6644 (2005), 1.6902 (2004)

1.859 million (2007)

5.619 million (2007)

AM 0, FM 19, shortwave 1 (2008)

1 (broadcasting on 8 channels); additional reception of numerous UHF and VHF signals originating in Malaysia and Indonesia (2008)

3.105 million (2007)

the International Maritime Bureau reports the territorial and offshore waters in the South China Sea as high risk for piracy and armed robbery against ships; numerous commercial vessels have been attacked and hijacked both at anchor and while underway; hijacked vessels are often disguised and cargo diverted to ports in East Asia; crews have been murdered or cast adrift

Singapore Armed Forces: Army, Navy, Air Force (includes Air Defense) (2009)

18-21 years of age for male compulsory military service; 16 years of age for volunteers; 2-year conscript service obligation, with a reserve obligation to age 40 (enlisted) or age 50 (officers) (2008)

4.9% of GDP (2005 est.)

disputes persist with Malaysia over deliveries of fresh water to Singapore, Singapore's extensive land reclamation works, bridge construction, and maritime boundaries in the Johor and Singapore Straits; in November 2007, the ICJ will hold public hearings as a consequence of the Memorials and Countermemorials filed by the parties in 2003 and 2005 over sovereignty of Pedra Branca Island/Pulau Batu Puteh, Middle Rocks and South Ledge; Indonesia and Singapore continue to work on finalization of their 1973 maritime boundary agreement by defining unresolved areas north of Indonesia's Batam Island; piracy remains a problem in the Malacca Strait

drug abuse limited because of aggressive law enforcement efforts; as a transportation and financial services hub, Singapore is vulnerable, despite strict laws and enforcement, as a venue for money laundering