Country Guide • Singapore
Singapore is located on the Malay Peninsula in South East Asia. The territory consists of the island of Singapore and around 50 adjacent islands. The country is separated physically from Malaysia by the Johore Strait and from Indonesia by the Strait of Malacca as well as the Strait of Singapore.
| Official Name | Republic of Singapore |
|---|---|
| Area | 620km² (239mile²) |
| Population | 4,608,595 |
| Continent | Asia |
| Population per mile² | 17,232 |
| Capital City | Singapore |
| Religions | 28% Buddhist, 16% Muslim, 5% Hindu, 19% Christian and 14% are Taoist or Confucianist |
| Language | Chinese (official), Malay (official and national), Tamil (official), English (official) |
| Government | Parliamentary democracy |
| Currency | Singapore Dollar |
| GDP | $105 billion |
| GDP per Head | $24,000 |
| Natural Resources | Fish, deepwater ports |
| Land Use | Arable Land 1.64% |
| Agriculture | Rubber, copra, fruit, orchids, vegetables; poultry, eggs, fish, ornamental fish |
| Industry | Electronics, chemicals, financial services, oil drilling equipment, petroleum refining, rubber processing and rubber products, processed food and beverages, ship repair, entrepot trade, biotechnology |
| Tourism | 7.6 million tourists visit annually.Singapore has its extremes, the famous grand and expensive Raffles Hotel, to the cheap food markets of Bugis Junction and Clarke Quay. City attractions include for shopaholics Orchard Road, the cultural quarters of Chinatown, Geylang Serai and Little India with the world’s first night safari. Singapore city is incredibly clean, even chewing gum is banned. When venturing inland there is the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve which has a significant area of primary rainforest within its boundaries and those interested in trekking can do so at the Sungei Buluh Nature Park. Other popular attractions are the Pulau Ubin’s mangrove forest, a bumboat’s ride from Changi jetty, or Kusu site of Taoists’ annual pilgrimage. Culture lovers can enjoy the fusion of Chinese, Malay and Indian cultures, with museums, gardens, parks, mosques, temples and synagogues all testimony to the island’s rich national heritage |
| Natural Hazards | Floods |
| Health Risks | Hepatitis A |
| Climate | Singapore has a tropical climate characterised by hot and humid conditions. Rainfall is distributed evenly throughout the year with an average annual precipitation of 95 inches. Average temperature ranges are between 24 - 32°C througout the year |
| Time | GMT/UTC+8 hours |
| National Days | August 9 |
| Visas | British citizens do not need visas to enter Singapore. But Singapore Immigration Authorities require you to have at least six months' validity on your passport. Likewise, if you are intending to transit Singapore to neighbouring countries, you should ensure that your passport is valid for at least six months |
| British Embassy | Embassy Details |
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