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Singapore / 新加坡 / سيڠاڤورا | சிங்கப்பூர் / Singapura

Is an island city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, 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. It is substantially larger than Monaco and Vatican City, the only other present-day 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, Singapore's merger proved unsuccessful, and, less than two years later, it was ejected from the federation and became an independent republic within the Commonwealth of Nations on 9 August 1965. Singapore was admitted to the United Nations on 21 September 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.[ As of January 2009, Singapore's official reserves stand 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 4.99 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.[18] The People's Action Party (PAP) dominates the political process and has won control of Parliament in every election since self-government in 1959.

 

History

Please go to

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Singapore

 

Geography

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geography_of_Singapore

 

Other info

Flags

 

Oficial Name:

Republic of Singapore

新加坡共和国

Republik Singapura

சிங்கப்பூர் குடியரசு-

Hsin-chia-p'o Kung-ho-kuo (Mandarin),

Republik Singapura (Malaian),

Singapore Kudiyarasu (Tâmul)

eng: Republic of Singapore

zho: 新加坡共和国 (Xīnjiāpō Gōnghéguó)

msa: Republik Singapura / ريڤوبليك سيڠاڤورا

tam: சிங்கப்பூர் குடியரசு (Čiṅkappūr Kuṭiyaraču)

 

Independence :

Self-government

under the United Kingdom

June 3, 1959 [1]

- UDI August 31, 1963

- Merger with Malaysia September 16, 1963

- Separation from Malaysia August 9, 1965

 

Area:

645,40km2

 

Inhabitants:

4.560.000

 

Languages:

Bengali [ben] 600 in Singapore (1985). Ethnic population: 14,000 in Singapore (2001 Johnstone and Mandryk). Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Eastern zone, Bengali-Assamese

More information.

 

Chinese, Hakka [hak] 69,000 in Singapore (1980). Ethnic population: 151,000 in Singapore (1993). Alternate names: Khek, Kek, Kehia, Kechia, Ke, Hokka. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Chinese

More information.

 

Chinese, Mandarin [cmn] 201,000 in Singapore (1985). Alternate names: Huayu, Guoyu. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Chinese

More information.

 

Chinese, Min Bei [mnp] 4,000 in Singapore (1985). Ethnic population: 11,000 in Singapore. Alternate names: Min Pei. Dialects: Hokchia (Hockchew). Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Chinese

More information.

 

Chinese, Min Dong [cdo] 34,154 in Singapore (2000 WCD). Ethnic population: 31,391. Mainly in China. Dialects: Fuzhou (Fuchow, Foochow, Guxhou). Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Chinese

More information.

 

Chinese, Min Nan [nan] 1,170,000 in Singapore (1985). Population includes 736,000 speakers of Hokkien, 28.8% of the population (1993), 360,000 speakers of Teochew (1985), 14.2% of the population (1993); 74,000 speakers of Hainanese (1985), 2.9% of the population (1993). Ethnic population: 1,482,000 (1993) including 884,000 Hokkien (1993), 452,000 Teochew (1985), 146,000 Hainanese (1993). Alternate names: Min Nam, Southern Min. Dialects: Hokkien (Fukienese, Fujian, Amoy, Xiamen), Teochew (Chaochow, Chaozhou, Taechew), Hainanese. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Chinese

More information.

 

Chinese, Pu-Xian [cpx] 14,083 in Singapore (2000 WCD). Dialects: Henghua (Hinghua, Xinghua). Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Chinese

More information.

 

Chinese, Yue [yue] 314,000 in Singapore (1985). Ethnic population: 338,000 (1993). Alternate names: Cantonese, Yue, Yueh, Guangfu. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Chinese

More information.

 

English [eng] 227,000 in Singapore (1985). Classification: Indo-European, Germanic, West, English

More information.

 

Gujarati [guj] 800 in Singapore (1985). Ethnic population: 1,619 (1985). Alternate names: Gujerathi, Gujerati. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Central zone, Gujarati

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Javanese [jav] 800 in Singapore (1985). Ethnic population: 21,230. Alternate names: Jawa, Djawa. Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Javanese

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Madura [mad] 900 in Singapore (1985). Ethnic population: 14,292 (1985). Alternate names: Madurese, Madhura. Dialects: Bawean (Boyanese). Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Madurese

More information.

 

Malaccan Creole Portuguese [mcm] Trankera and Hilir, Melaka, Straits of Malacca. Related varieties in parts of Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. Variety in Pulau Tikus spoken more in 1997 than in 1987. Alternate names: Malaysian Creole Portuguese, Malaccan, Papia Kristang. Classification: Creole, Portuguese based

More information.

 

Malay [mly] 396,000 in Singapore (1985). Alternate names: Bahasa Malay, Melayu. Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Malayic, Malayan, Local Malay

More information.

 

Malay, Baba [mbf] 10,000 in Singapore (1986 Pakir). Population total all countries: 15,000. Ethnic population: 250,000 to 400,000 (1986). Mainly in the Katong District on the east coast and the surrounding districts of Geylang and Jao Chiat. Also spoken in Malaysia (Peninsular). Alternate names: Chinese Malay, Baba, Straits Malay. Dialects: It developed since the 15th century from Low Malay with many Hokkien Chinese borrowings. Regional variants between Malacca and Singapore. Partially intelligible with Standard Malay. It is generally believed that the Baba of Malaysia is more 'refined', and that of Singapore more 'rough'. Most have learned Standard Malay and English in school. Lim (1981) and Holm (1989) treat it as a Malay-based creole. It is different from Peranakan Indonesian. Classification: Creole, Malay based

More information.

 

Malayalam [mal] 10,000 in Singapore. Ethnic population: 14,000 (1993). Alternate names: Alealum, Malayalani, Malayal, Malean, Maliyad, Mallealle, Mopla. Classification: Dravidian, Southern, Tamil-Kannada, Tamil-Kodagu, Tamil-Malayalam, Malayalam

More information.

 

Orang Seletar [ors] 884 in Singapore (2000 WCD). North coast of Singapore, and opposite coast of Malaysia. Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Malayic, Malayan, Aboriginal Malay

More information.

 

Panjabi, Eastern [pan] 9,500 in Singapore (1987). Ethnic population: 14,000 (1993). Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Central zone, Panjabi

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Singapore Sign Language [sls] Classification: Deaf sign language

More information.

 

Sinhala [sin] 852 in Singapore (1987). Ethnic population: 12,000 (1993). Alternate names: Sinhalese, Singhalese, Chingalese. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Sinhalese-Maldivian

More information.

 

Tamil [tam] 90,000 in Singapore (1985). Ethnic population: 111,000 (1993). Classification: Dravidian, Southern, Tamil-Kannada, Tamil-Kodagu, Tamil-Malayalam, Tamil

 

Capital city:

Singapoure city

 

Meaning country name:

Singapura (in Malay) derives from Sanskrit Simhapura (or Singhapura) which means "Lion City". Earlier the island was known as Temasik from Malay or Javanese root tasik meaning lake. Singapore is the anglicized form of the Malay name which is still in use today along with variants in Chinese and Tamil, the 4 official languages of Singapore

 

Description Flag:

The national flag of Singapore was adopted on 3 December 1959. It is a horizontal bicolour of red above white, charged in the canton by a white crescent moon beside a circle of five small white five-pointed stars.

Red Universal brotherhood and equality of man

White Pervading and everlasting purity and virtue

White crescent moon A young nation on the ascendant

Five white stars The nation's ideals of democracy, peace, progress, justice and equality

 

Coat of arms:

Singapore's national coat of arms (or state arms) was introduced on December 3, 1959 together with the national flag and national anthem at the swearing-in of the Yang di-Pertuan Negara at the City Hall steps.

Meaning

The state armorial bearings consists of a shield emblazoned with a white crescent moon and five white stars against a red background. Red is symbolic of universal brotherhood and equality of man, and white signifies pervading and everlasting purity and virtue. The crescent moon represents a young nation rising. The five stars represent the five ideals of democracy, peace, progress, justice and equality. Supporting the shield are a lion on the left (dexter) and a tiger on the right (sinister). Below the shield is a banner inscribed with the Republic's motto, Majulah Singapura (Onward Singapore). The lion represents Singapore itself and the tiger, the island's historical links with Malaysia.

Guidelines for Usage

1. The national coat of arms of Singapore (state crest) consists of a shield on which is emblazoned a white crescent moon and five white stars against a red background. Supporting the shield shall be a lion on the left and a tiger on the right. Below the shield shall be a banner with the words "Majulah Singapura" inscribed on it.

2. The use of the state arms for advertisements or any other commercial purpose is prohibited by law. Only government bodies can display the state arms within their premises. Approval must be sought for any other use of the state crest.

3. The state arms must be treated with respect and be displayed in a dignified manner.

 

Motto:

"Majulah Singapura"

 

National Anthem: Majulah Singapura

 

Malay

Mari kita rakyat Singapura

Sama-sama menuju bahagia

Cita-cita kita yang mulia

Berjaya Singapura

 

Marilah kita bersatu

Dengan semangat yang baru

Semua kita berseru

Majulah Singapura

Majulah Singapura

 

English

Come, fellow Singaporeans

Let us progress towards happiness together

May our noble aspiration bring

Singapore success

 

Come, let us unite

In a new spirit

Let our voices soar as one

Onward Singapore

Onward Singapore

 

Internet Page: www.sgdi.gov.sg

www.gov.sg

www.visitsingapore.com

 

Singapore in diferent languages

 

eng | cym | dan | fin | fry | glv | ina | ita | lim | nld | nor | sme | srd | swa | swe: Singapore

arg | ast | cat | ces | dsb | est | eus | glg | hrv | hsb | lin | pol | que | roh | ron | rup | slk | slv | spa | tur | vor | zza: Singapur

bos | crh | gag | kaa | mol | slo | tuk | uzb: Singapur / Сингапур

fao | frp | lld | mlt | oci: Singapor

cor | fra | wln: Singapour

deu | ltz | nds: Singapur / Singapur

jav | scn | tet: Singapura

ind | msa: Singapura / سيڠاڤورا

kin | run: Singapure

afr: Singapoer

aze: Sinqapur / Сингапур

bam: Sɛngapuru

bre: Singapoura

csb: Singapùr

epo: Singapuro

fur: Singapôr

gla: Siongapòr

gle: Singeapór / Singeapór

hat: Sengapou

hun: Szingapúr

ibo: Siṅgapọ

isl: Singapúr

jnf: Sîngapour

kmr: Sîngapûr / Сингапур / سینگاپوور

kur: Sîngapûr / سینگاپوور

lat: Singapora; Singapura; Singapolis

lav: Singapūra

lit: Singapūras

mlg: Singapora

nrm: Singapoure

por: Singapura; Cingapura

rmy: Singapore / सिन्गापोरे

smg: Singapūrs

smo: Sigapoa

som: Singabuur

sqi: Singapori

tgl: Singgapur

ton: Singapoa

vie: Tân Gia Ba; Xing-ga-po

vol: Singapurän

wol: Singapoor

abq | alt | bul | che | chm | chv | kbd | kir | kjh | kom | krc | kum | mkd | mon | oss | rus | tyv | udm: Сингапур (Singapur)

bak | srp | tat: Сингапур / Singapur

bel: Сінгапур / Sinhapur; Сынгапур / Synhapur

kaz: Сингапур / Sïngapwr / سينگاپۋر

tgk: Сингапур / سینگپور / Singapur

ukr: Сінґапур (Singapur)

ara: سنغافورة (Sinġāfūrâ)

fas: سنگاپور / Sengâpur; سینگاپور / Singâpur

prs: سنگاپور (Sengāpūr)

pus: سنګاپور (Singāpūr)

snd: سنگاپور (Singāporu)

uig: سىنگاپۇر / Sin’gapur / Сингапур

urd: سنگاپور (Singāpūr)

div: ސިނގަޕޫރު (Siṅgapūru)

heb: סינגפור (Sîngapûr); סינגאפור (Sîngâpûr)

lad: סינגאפור / Singapur

yid: סינגאַפּור (Singapur)

amh: ሲንጋፖር (Singapor)

ell-dhi: Σιγκαπούρη (Sigkapoýrī)

ell-kat: Σιγγαπούρη (Siggapoýrī)

hye: Սինգապուր (Singapour)

kat: სინგაპური (Singapuri)

hin | mar: सिंगापुर (Siṁgāpur)

nep: सिङ्गापुर (Siṅgāpur)

ben: সিঙ্গাপুর (Siṅgāpur)

ori: ଷିଂହପୁର (Siṁhôpurô)

pan: ਸਿੰਘਾਪੁਰ (Siṁgʰāpur)

sin: සිංගප්පූරුව (Siṁgappūruva)

kan: ಸಿಂಗಪುರ (Siṁgapura); ಸಿಂಗಾಪುರ್ (Siṁgāpur)

mal: സിംഗപ്പൂര് (Siṁgappūr); സിംഗപൂര് (Siṁgapūr); സിംഗപ്പുര് (Siṁgappur)

tam: சிங்கப்பூர் (Čiṅkappūr)

tel: సింగపూర్ (Siṁgapūr); సింగపోర్ (Siṁgapōr)

zho: 新加坡 (Xīnjiāpō)

yue: 新加坡 (Sìnggabō)

jpn: シンガポール (Shingapōru)

kor: 싱가포르 (Singgaporeu)

bod: སེང་ག་ཕོར་ (Seṅ.ga.pʰor.)

mya: စင္ကာပူ (Sĩkapu)

tha: สิงคโปร์ (Siṅkʰapō[r])

lao: ສິງກະໂປ (Siṅkapō)

khm: សាំងហ្គាពួរ (Sāṁṅhkāpuar); សាំងកាប៉ូរ (Sāṁkābūr); សឹង្ហបូរី (Sʉṅhabūrī); សិង្ហបុរី (Siṅhaburī)

 

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Uploaded on March 12, 2010