Singapore (Chinese: 新加坡, Xīnjiāpō; Malay: Singapura; Tamil: சிங்கப்பூர், Cingkappūr), officially the Republic of Singapore, is an island city-state located at the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, lying 137 kilometres (85 mi) north of the equator, south of the Malaysian state of Johor and north of Indonesia's Riau Islands. At 710.2 km2 (274.2 sq mi), Singapore is a microstate and the smallest nation in Southeast Asia. This is substantially larger than Monaco and Vatican City, the only other surviving sovereign city-states.
Before European settlement, the island now known as Singapore was the site of a 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, led by Sir Stamford Raffles, established a trading post on the island, which was used as a port along the spice route. Singapore became one of the most important commercial and military centres of the British Empire, and the hub of British power in Southeast Asia.
During the Second World War, the British colony was occupied by the Japanese after the Battle of Singapore, which Winston Churchill called "Britain's greatest defeat". Singapore reverted to British rule in 1945, immediately after the war. Eighteen years later, in 1963, the city, having achieved independence from Britain, merged with Malaya, Sabah, and Sarawak to form Malaysia. However, the merger proved unsuccessful, and, less than two years later, it seceded from the federation and became an independent republic within the Commonwealth of Nations on August 9, 1965. Singapore was admitted to the United Nations on September 21 of that year.
Since independence, Singapore's standard of living has risen dramatically. 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 industry, education and urban planning. Singapore is the 5th wealthiest country in the world in terms of GDP (PPP) per capita. In December 2008, the foreign exchange reserves of this small island nation stood at around US$174.2billion. The Singapore government, with approval from the President, announced in March 2009 that it would tap into their official reserves for the first time ever and withdraw some S$4.9 billion. The funds were then used as part of the S$20.5 billion resilience package unveiled by Finance Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam on 5 February 2009. As of January 2009, Singapore's official reserves stands at US$170.3 billion.
In 2009, the Economist Intelligence Unit ranked Singapore the tenth most expensive city in the world in which to live—the third in Asia, after Tokyo and Osaka. The 2009 Cost of Living survey, by consultancy firm Mercer, has ranked Singapore similarly as the tenth most expensive city for expatriates to live in.
The population of Singapore including non-residents is approximately 4.86 million. Singapore is highly cosmopolitan and diverse with Chinese people forming an ethnic majority with large populations of Malay, Indian and other people. English, Malay, Tamil, and Chinese are the official languages.
Singapore is a parliamentary republic, and the Constitution of Singapore establishes representative democracy as the nation's political system. The People's Action Party (PAP) dominates the political process and has won control of Parliament in every election since self-government in 1959.
Southeast Asian countries. The world's only island city. In the southern Malay Peninsula. An area of 618 square kilometers. Population 3.1 million (1995). The newly industrialized countries, oil refining, electronics, and shipbuilding industries highlighted. One of the world's marine and aviation center. Re-developed. International financial center. Flourishing tourism industry. Malay Peninsula, south of the city island. An area of 622 square kilometers, population 2,718,000 (1990), the capital of Singapore. Economic re-export, finance, shipping mainly.
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xīn jiā pō
1824 became a British colony, September 16, 1963 to join Malaysia. But Malaysian Prime Minister Tunku unilateral safeguard the interests of UMNO and the Malaysian political privileges ignore other groups, August 9, 1965, the Chinese-majority Malaysia, Singapore was forced to withdraw from the establishment of the Republic of Singapore. An area of 682.7 square kilometers, a population of 4,017,733 in 2000 census. The name of the five Community Development Council are: Central, Northeast, Northwest, Southeast and Southwest.
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Travel
新加坡 旅游
Best time to travel in Singapore: Singapore is located 136 kilometers north of the equator, is tropical maritime climate, four seasons without much change in climate, hot and rainy day in the small temperature difference, from noon to night, the average temperature of 31-24 ℃. Compared with other countries in Southeast Asia, no dry season, rainy season, generally November to January as the local rainy season, but outside the period of the rainy season, sometimes 1-2 hours under the rain. Singapore's climate change is small, so are the travel season all year round, you can not ask to easily _set_ foot on the road season, is one of Singapore's tourism appeal. Singapore Food: Singaporeans live to eat is a very important part. Whether the streets, day or night, you can find anywhere countless variety of dishes. In Singapore, where multi-racial city, you can taste dishes from all sides, whether Chinese or Western food reflects a deeper cultural background of the island and its unique multi-racial side. Marina Square in the government building and the surrounding, there are known to scale the Marina Square, Raffles has a full range of small objects Court, and so on. And Chinatown, Little India, Bugis. Yarra Street, Holland Village area is selling a variety of prices so low, with national characteristics of the clothing or craft areas. In addition, Changi Airport and the city of the United States duty free shop is famous. Special care tips: Singapore's largest shopping malls is a unified management, domestic and operates shopping centers generally, and sub-brand management. The biggest difference between this and pay in the fitting, you can enjoy browsing at the mall and _select_ their favorite clothes to the dressing area to try, each fitting a maximum of three, dressing areas are generally more than 10 rooms However, during the period at a sale and still need to line up after fitting clothes do not like dressing rooms directly on the rack next to you can leave, there will not hurry you smile attentive clerk pay, like the goods directly get the cashier. Hours: Most shops in Singapore is open 10:00 am to 9:00 pm, some shops open until 10:00 pm on weekends. Receipt (invoice): department stores use cash register receipts, shopping in small shops, shopping at your own request to the owner a receipt. Product guarantee: the store of goods are usually valid for one year to provide international guarantees, shoppers at their own request, and sometimes have to bear additional costs. Remember to check the warranty on the information required to properly add and stamp shops have stamp. Do not accept photocopies or incomplete data guarantee. Note: consumption tax (gst) is 5%. Singapore Transportation: External Traffic: Airline: Singapore Airlines and major foreign airlines Piyou Singapore to the world's major countries, regions and cities on the route. In Taiwan, opened with Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Chengdu, Xiamen, Kunming and Qingdao flights between. Airport to the hotel's airport shuttle running time of 0:00 for the 6:00 am to midnight, every 20 minutes, with air conditioning. Prices for adults and SGD 5, SGD 3 children, the route is divided into: Route 1, Route 2. Land and water: Take the bus or walk across the Johor Strait Bridge, long-distance truck and train, by boat from Indonesia or Malaysia to enter. Internal Transport: Metro: Metro line is divided into North and South, East and West line, North East Line, in the center of the Raffles Place and government buildings can transfer things line, north-south line. Also you can transfer Jurong East and North-South line of East-West Line. Bus: In Singapore, when you see a car they have to take time off, waving to the driver, said to be on the train, or car will be from your side zips; by using the front door when the bus on the train, get off the back door way, the first payment on the car, the car without looking for confirmation, change should be prepared in advance; got off to greet more new bus, get off the car before just click the red button on the line, no red button on the circumstances, skylights or windows as it was pulled on the black tape, issue a "Slap ... ..." the voice, the driver will be at the next stop. Tram: Tram originating from the Botanical Garden, Orchard Road through most of the hotels, while traveling to Newton rings, Raffles Hotel, Raffles City, Queen Square, Merlion Park, Lau Pa Sat market, Mali Amman Hindu Temple and the Tanjong Pagar Reserve, in the end the gateway to Sentosa Island - World Trade Center exhumation, and so routes. Travel time from 9:00 to 21:00 every day, every 30 minutes. Free to use coupons to be 9 Singapore dollars a day (children 7 dollars), 3 tickets limited to one Singapore dollar. Tickets at the hotel desk or directly to the driver to buy, you can ask for when buying a road map for reference as a day trip. Antique, you can visit the city attractions and efficient. Taxi: taxi fares are calculated by the meter, starting from within 1 km of 2.4 Singapore dollars, then every 240 meters by 10 points. Case of traffic jam, do not move every 45 seconds a distance unit (240 meters), the meter automatically jump 1 minute. Singapore beckons taxis parking in the street, in a hurry when the shopping center in the hotel or taxi stand on the car. In addition, returns from the outskirts of the city, the late, then it is difficult to get a taxi, then can make an appointment, make an appointment to talk clearly some areas where their own, street, and striking buildings. A taxi for 24 hours Tel: 4525555 or 4747707 (24 hours). Traffic rules and etiquette: Singapore is the left line of traffic rules, urban roads smooth, fast cars, when crossing the street to distinguish a zebra crossing or border, zebra and more _set_ in residential areas, car to let pedestrians go first, the driver see a pedestrian crossing to stop waiting for you automatically slow down through the re-start, so get used to at home and so did a few street cars, and if you stop, the driver will be very impatient but do not think you respect his humility, By the time the best smile and motioned the driver, thanks; border will depend on the traffic lights, but in some intersections will not automatically turn on red, pedestrians themselves need to press the button on the pole side of the road to pedestrians in the absence of the case does not affect the vehicle; what line are not the best if not before, as Singapore is mostly highway, the speed quickly. Singapore Hotel: Singapore tourism industry developed, the various levels of the hotel, the hotel is complete, both the price of hundreds of NZ's best luxury hotels, there are dozens of hotels and Singapore dollar Chinese economy hotels, visitors can according to their own economic Conditions for affordable accommodation. In addition, in East Coast Park and Kallang River to enjoy swimming, water skiing, sailing boat, bathed in the warm tropical waters; in the Singapore Turf Club Grand Chicago, along with the audience cheered, with boiling, through intense and exciting time; spa bath, sauna, foot massage to completely relax your spirit, in addition to cricket, tennis, golf and various sports entertainment, so you to enjoy a vibrant and dynamic Singapore . Marina Square in the government building and the surrounding, there are known to scale the Marina Square, Raffles has a full range of small objects Court, and so on. And Chinatown, Little India, Bugis. Yarra Street, Holland Village area is selling a variety of prices so low, with national characteristics of the clothing or craft areas. In addition, Changi Airport and the city of the United States duty free shop is famous. Special care tips: Singapore's largest shopping malls is a unified management, domestic and operates shopping centers generally, and sub-brand management. The biggest difference between this and pay in the fitting, you can enjoy browsing at the mall and _select_ their favorite clothes to the dressing area to try, each fitting a maximum of three, dressing areas are generally more than 10 rooms However, during the period at a sale and still need to line up after fitting clothes do not like dressing rooms directly on the rack next to you can leave, there will not hurry you smile attentive clerk pay, like the goods directly get the cashier. Hours: Most shops in Singapore is open 10:00 am to 9:00 pm, some shops open until 10:00 pm on weekends. Receipt (invoice): department stores use cash register receipts, shopping in small shops, shopping at your own request to the owner a receipt. Product guarantee: the store of goods are usually valid for one year to provide international guarantees, shoppers at their own request, and sometimes have to bear additional costs. Remember to check the warranty on the information required to properly add and stamp shops have stamp. Do not accept photocopies or incomplete data guarantee. Note: consumption tax (gst) is 5%. Location: in the 136.8 km north of the equator, the longitude latitude 109-129 and between 10,336 and 10,425. Today's Singapore, brings together unique style of modern and traditional, blending the essence of Eastern and Western cultures. Here, you can feel familiar with Chinese culture, there are Malay and Indian culture, diverse ethnic characteristics. This modern jungle, but also its natural relaxed side. In a safe and clean environment, enjoy high-quality tour of Singapore attractions, enjoy a variety of food and various kinds of recreational activities, and enjoy the feast of art stuff. And convenient transportation, provides visitors from neighboring countries, Singapore is your perfect travel from a regional hub in Southeast Asia. Singaporeans hard work, perseverance and goal-oriented work attitude, creating a number of Singapore's first award, as the world's first airline (Singapore Airlines), the world's busiest ports and transshipment port, the world's first Night Safari , the world's highest artificial waterfall, the highest hotel - Singapore Swiss Hotel Stanford, the world's largest fountain - Suntec City Fountain of wealth and so on. Tropical rain forests and other natural resources, coupled with the systematic greening policy, Singapore is not only lined with modern buildings scenery is full of the green city. More than 850,000 plants flowers and trees around the island and up to 4,868 hectares of park land for Singaporeans to enjoy a great life and leisure. Singapore, the island from east to west about 42 km, 23 km from south to NATO, including the size of the island, including a total area of 646 square kilometers, it has the world's busiest port and one for more than 69, the rise and fall of international air passenger International Airport, access to people beyond the 25 million annual passengers. Singapore is not only the world's third largest oil refining center, is also an important goods distribution center, the main trading products are tin, rubber, coconut, oil, rice, wood, jute, spices and coffee. Major banks in the world gathered in Singapore's financial center, including Bank of America, ABN AMRO, Deutsche Bank, Bank of Tokyo, etc., begin with advanced communication equipment, contact the Singapore and around the world, commodities, stock and foreign exchange trading center. In addition, the daily average of 12,000 tourists, but also make Singapore one of the major international tourist destination. Singapore is well-known free trade port, focus the world-class products, at the same time as the center of Southeast Asia, a variety of products with local characteristics are numerous, rich in goods and good shopping environment attracts tourists all over. Orchard Road and near the tourist area is the preferred place to shop, where a large concentration of many modern hotels, shopping malls, elegant environment, high-end goods. Renaissance Plaza leading brand-name merchandise for sale, lucky Orchard Road shopping malls shopping leading the trend, British department store Lane Crawford, elegant interior design, I_set_an shopping malls magnificent, towering on one side of I_set_an Twin Towers shaped Singapore's largest shopping mall - Ngee Ann City, on the other side a collection of designer goods store Street, Chanel, Tiffany and other high fashion and the local department store tangs ... ... Chinatown is a breath of life filled with Chinese place, where both high-level shopping center, there are the old antique shop, is an important commercial areas. In the Bugis. Arab Street area, the narrow roads store bamboo and rattan products, silk fabric shop, the Arab carpets, precious stones, a shop next to a class, as if the night into the East Tan. To Little India, will immediately smell a strong lingering flavor, here are Indian music tapes, cd stores, there are Indian women's accessories with stores, Xiang Gong shops, spice shops, sari stores, gold shop, etc. and so on. Singapore is a paradise for purchase of various electrical appliances, to provide the best price of all prices of goods to meet customer affordable psychological stress. Orchard Road has shops selling fine goods Persia, Afghanistan, China, Pakistan, India and Turkey carpet. Most representative of the local products of local, soft texture Buddy devaluation fabrics, bright colors, intricate design. There are also rattan Malaysia, Myanmar's rubies, topaz India, Sri Lanka sapphire and crocodile skin products, safflower oil Chinatown, Arab Street, and features a small carpet cap and so on. Singapore, the city's tree-lined roads, the streets around the small garden, small lawn, flowers green grass, fresh air, is a small and beautiful, clean and green garden city. There are various kinds of flowers in Singapore, of which the national flower - the most famous orchid, orchid care of these carefully colorful, fragrant fragrance, in the hearts of tourists left a good impression. The leaves are covered with flowers the streets, even the ugly utility poles have been wrapped up and decorated, bright red or purple flowers attached to branches, Stretch, swaying gently in the breeze, even without human care, but also everywhere open. Some of the apartments of the metal line, covered with a lovely flower - Ivy Lee Kuan Yew, former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, the name originated in the plant like this, so Singaporeans competing cultivation, and named this. Held in Singapore every year, "Tree Planting Week", and the number of trees each year, all regional requirements. The event is the Singapore government to promote the "Garden City" concept of the part. There are plans to make the green a number of afforestation. Effective refuse collection work. In Singapore, almost do not see the other picture of rampant mosquitoes in tropical countries. Transparent Jiejing sky, flowers and trees do not have consistent Yat unique style, the church, from time to time in the streets of sculpture, fountain ... ... to make your trip pleasant and memorable experience in Singapore.
emperor Panning