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Country Guide > South-East Asia > Singapore | |
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General Information Area 659.9 sq km (254.8 sq miles).
Population 4,185,200 (official estimate 2003). Population Density 6,342.2 per sq km. Capital Singapore City. Population: 3,163,500 (1998). Geography The island of Singapore is situated off the southern extremity of the Malay Peninsula, to which it is joined by a causeway carrying a road, railway and waterpipe. The Johor Strait between the island and the mainland is about 1km (0.8 miles) wide. The Republic of Singapore includes some 64 islets. It is a mainly flat country with low hills, the highest being Bukit Timah at 163m (545ft). In the northeast of the island, large areas have been reclaimed, and much of the original jungle and swamp covering the low-lying areas has been cleared. Government Republic. Gained full independence from the UK in 1965. Head of State: President Sellapan Ramanathan since 1999. Head of Government: Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loongsince 2004. Language Mandarin Chinese, English, Malay and Tamil. Mandarin, English, Malay and Tamil are the official languages. Most Singaporeans are bilingual and speak English, which is used as the main language of communication. Religion Taoist, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu and Muslim. Time GMT + 8. Electricity 220/240 volts AC, 50Hz. Plug fittings of the three-pin square type are in use. Many hotels have 110-volt outlets. Communications Telephone Full IDD is available. Country code: 65. Outgoing international code: 001. International calls can be made from public pay phones using a credit card or a phone card (S$2-50) available from Telecom centres and retail outlets. IDD calls made from hotels are free of surcharge. Mobile telephone GSM 900/1800/3G. Network operators include MobileOne (website: www.m1.com.sg), Singapore Telecom (website: www.singtel.com) and StarHub (website: www.starhub.com). Fax There are services at many major hotels and at the Telecoms buildings in Robinson Road and Exeter Road. Internet Internet cafes throughout Singapore provide public access to Internet and e-mail services. Main ISPs include Cyberway Pte (website: www.starhub.com) and Singnet (website: www.singnet.com). Telegram Telegrams can be sent from post offices, hotels, the Central Telegraph Office at 71 Robinson Road and the Comcentre near Orchard Road. Post Airmail to Europe takes up to one week. There are limited postal facilities at many hotels. Post office hours: Mon-Fri 0830-1700, Sat 0830-1300. The airport and Orchard Point branches are open daily 0700-1900. The General Post Office on Fullerton Road (near the river) and the Comcentre near Orchard Road are open 24 hours. Press The English-language dailies are The Business Times, The New Paper , The Straits Times and Streats. Radio BBC World Service (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice) and Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov) can be received. From time to time the frequencies change and the most up-to-date can be found online. |
