A POTRAIT OF SINGAPORE

The small city-state of Singapore is bustling, cosmopolitan, trendy, modern, and

plays a part on the worlds financial and p olitical stage that seems
disproportionate to its size. Its varied traditions and intriguing mix of the old and
new (in its people and way of life) make Singapore a great multicultural city in the
truest sense.

Located at the tip of the Malay Peninsula on the

Strait of Malacca, Singapore consists of one
large island encircled by several smaller islets.
Gleaming high-rise buildings and a fascinating
diversity of foliage are crammed into a tiny area
of just 269 sq m (697 sq km), some of it
reclaimed land. Humidity and heavy downpours
define its climate; showers are so sudden that
the umbrella is a regular accessory.
When Sir Stamford Raffles of the British East
India Company landed on its shores in 1819,
Singapore was little more than a nondescript
fishing village. However, the town soon went on
to become a British stronghold.
After gaining independence from the British,
Singapore was incorporated into the Federation
of Malaysia in 1963, and went on to become a
wholly independent nation in 1965.
GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
Singapore is a democratic republic that follows
the British parliamentary system, with a
government led by a prime minister. Political
affairs have long been dominated by the
Peoples Action Party, which was led by
statesman Lee Kuan Yew from its inception in
the 1960s right up to the 1990s. Even with the
presence of an active opposition, a one-party
system has prevailed on the whole. While critics

deem it autocratic, the party is seen as having

been instrumental in helping Singapore become
the super-developed, modern nation that it is
today. Singaporeans give credit to Lee Kuan Yew
who has enjoyed unrivaled popularity as a
nation builder.
THE ECONOMY
Singapore has a highly successful and
transparent economy. Despite accusations of
the government having too many stakes in the
market, the economy is believed to be among
the most powerful in the world, chiefly because
of government efficiency, the exceptional
infrastructure, minimal corruption, and a skilled
workforce.
Singapores economy thrives on the electronics
and chemical sectors, as well as business and
financial services. Due to its strategic location
linking the mainland and the islands of
Southeast Asia with the rest of the world,
Singapore has the busiest port in the region.
Canned food, biotechnology, rubber processing,
and, lately, tourism have emerged as other key
revenue generating industries.
PEOPLES, LANGUAGES, AND RELIGIONS
Singapore is a country of immigrants, with a
multiracial ethnicity comprising mainly 77
percent Chinese, 14 percent Malay, and 7.6

percent Indians, with a small number of

Western expatriates. Ethnic neighborhoods, the
norm in the 19th century, have given way to
government-provided public housing.
Old enclaves that have been left behind are
now used only for shopping or entertainment
that is unique to that particular community. The
cultural heritage of the British colonialists is also
deeply woven into the Singaporean lifestyle.
Malay, Chinese, English, and Tamil are all official
languages in Singapore. The unique Singlish
a patois that combines English with Malay and
Chinese words and intonation is understood
by most resident Singaporeans but rarely by
visitors.
Except for certain radical groups that are
banned, religion is freely practiced. Mahayana
Buddhism is the most common, followed by
Islam, Christianity, and Hinduism. Since the
racial riots of the 1960s, society has been
considerably harmonized, with the government
making every possible effort to keep it so.
CULTURE AND THE ARTS
The arts flourish in this diverse city. Chinese
opera and drama, Western classical music,
Indian classical dance forms, and English theater
are all part of local culture, and several theater
and dance ensembles keep Malay culture alive.
However, government censorship is rigid; each
performance needs a seal of approval before
being shown to the public. A plethora of
museums, festivals, and religious places
complement the visual arts.
Food is an integral part of Singaporean culture,
and eating out is considered the best way of
socializing. Although Chinese, Indian, and Malay
flavors dominate, international cuisine ranging
from African to Eastern European is also widely

available. Being a food haven has added to the

popularity of this gateway between the East
and the West, and it remains as alluring today
as it was centuries ago.