Singapore, the country that imports water
SINGAPORE, the smallest country in South-east Asia, is the second most densely populated independent country in the world. The government had to introduce strict birth control measures in the late 1960s to check population growth and reduce the strain on the limited space and natural resources.
SINGAPORE, the smallest country in South-east Asia, is the second most densely populated independent country in the world. The government had to introduce strict birth control measures in the late 1960s to check population growth and reduce the strain on the limited space and natural resources.
By the late 1990s, Singapore was swarming with aging people and recording fewer births, which affected the labour market and led to an acute shortage of skilled workers. Worldwide, Singapore has the third lowest fertility rate. The government was forced to reverse its policy and introduce a “baby bonus†scheme to encourage couples to have more children. It is also encouraging immigration to Singapore.
Geography and environment
Singapore is located at the southern tip of the Malaysian Peninsula, north of Indonesia’s Riau Islands and south of the Malaysian state of Johor. It consists of the island of Singapore and 63 islets within its waters.
Because space is one of its biggest problems, Singapore turned to land-reclamation using earth from its hills, sea-beds and neighbouring countries to increase land area. Forests and nature reserves cover 23% of the land area.
Urbanisation has depleted primary rainforests, leaving Bukit Timah Nature Reserve as the only survivor. Singapore lacks natural freshwater rivers and lakes. It relies on rainfall as its primary source of domestic water. This is complimented by recycled and imported water.
History
Malays and Orang Lauts were the first inhabitants of Singapore. They lived in a fishing village at the mouth of River Singapore.
The island was called Temasek, meaning sea town. It was named Singapura, meaning lion city by Sang Nila, a prince who, on landing on the island after a thunderstorm, saw an animal that his chief minister identified as a lion. But recent studies show that lions have never lived on the island and suggest that what the prince saw was a tiger.
The island became an outpost for the Sumatran Srivijaya Empire. It was later controlled by the Sultanate of Johor, the Portuguese and the Dutch.
In 1819, Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles signed a treaty with Sultan Hussein Shah on behalf of the British East India Company to develop Singapore as a trading post. It became a British crown colony in 1867. The British used the village’s strategic position as a trading route, turning it into one of their most important commercial and military centres.
They surrendered the island to the Japanese during World War II. They regained control in 1945 after the Japanese surrendered the island. Singapore gained self-governance in 1959 and attained independence on August 9, 1965.
Economy
Singapore has been rated the most business-friendly economy in the world. It has reaped from its strategic location to become the world’s busiest port and the 18th wealthiest in terms of GDP per capita.
Its economy is market-based and thrives on foreign investment. Singapore is the world’s fourth-largest foreign exchange trading centre, with a highly developed manufacturing industry. The tourism industry is also booming. It has a foreign reserve of $147b.
Politics
Singapore is a multi-party state. It has been dominated by the People’s Action Party since 1959. S.R Nathan has been president of Singapore since 1999. Singapore has been rated the country with “possibly the highest execution rate in the world.†Freedom of speech and public gatherings are limited, while caning and capital punishment are law, but Singapore is ranked the least corrupt country in Asia.
Compiled by Elizabeth Namazzi
By the late 1990s, Singapore was swarming with aging people and recording fewer births, which affected the labour market and led to an acute shortage of skilled workers. Worldwide, Singapore has the third lowest fertility rate. The government was forced to reverse its policy and introduce a “baby bonus†scheme to encourage couples to have more children. It is also encouraging immigration to Singapore.
Geography and environment
Singapore is located at the southern tip of the Malaysian Peninsula, north of Indonesia’s Riau Islands and south of the Malaysian state of Johor. It consists of the island of Singapore and 63 islets within its waters.
Because space is one of its biggest problems, Singapore turned to land-reclamation using earth from its hills, sea-beds and neighbouring countries to increase land area. Forests and nature reserves cover 23% of the land area.
Urbanisation has depleted primary rainforests, leaving Bukit Timah Nature Reserve as the only survivor. Singapore lacks natural freshwater rivers and lakes. It relies on rainfall as its primary source of domestic water. This is complimented by recycled and imported water.
History
Malays and Orang Lauts were the first inhabitants of Singapore. They lived in a fishing village at the mouth of River Singapore.
The island was called Temasek, meaning sea town. It was named Singapura, meaning lion city by Sang Nila, a prince who, on landing on the island after a thunderstorm, saw an animal that his chief minister identified as a lion. But recent studies show that lions have never lived on the island and suggest that what the prince saw was a tiger.
The island became an outpost for the Sumatran Srivijaya Empire. It was later controlled by the Sultanate of Johor, the Portuguese and the Dutch.
In 1819, Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles signed a treaty with Sultan Hussein Shah on behalf of the British East India Company to develop Singapore as a trading post. It became a British crown colony in 1867. The British used the village’s strategic position as a trading route, turning it into one of their most important commercial and military centres.
They surrendered the island to the Japanese during World War II. They regained control in 1945 after the Japanese surrendered the island. Singapore gained self-governance in 1959 and attained independence on August 9, 1965.
Economy
Singapore has been rated the most business-friendly economy in the world. It has reaped from its strategic location to become the world’s busiest port and the 18th wealthiest in terms of GDP per capita.
Its economy is market-based and thrives on foreign investment. Singapore is the world’s fourth-largest foreign exchange trading centre, with a highly developed manufacturing industry. The tourism industry is also booming. It has a foreign reserve of $147b.
Politics
Singapore is a multi-party state. It has been dominated by the People’s Action Party since 1959. S.R Nathan has been president of Singapore since 1999. Singapore has been rated the country with “possibly the highest execution rate in the world.†Freedom of speech and public gatherings are limited, while caning and capital punishment are law, but Singapore is ranked the least corrupt country in Asia.
Compiled by Elizabeth Namazzi