Republik Singapura | |
City state | |
![]() | |
Motto Majulah Singapura Onward, Singapore | |
Anthem Majulah Singapura | |
Capital | Singapore |
Government | Republic and parliamentary democracy |
President | |
- From 2011 | Tony Tan Keng Yam |
Prime Minister | |
- From 2004 | Lee Hsien Loong |
Legislature | Parliament |
History | |
- August 9, 1965 | Established |
Commonwealth accession | October 15, 1965 |
Area | 725.0 km² |
Population | |
- 2009 | 4,987,600 |
Density | 6,879.4/km² |
GDP | 2009 (PPP) |
- Total | US$ 285.4 billion |
- Per capita | US$ 57,238 |
Currency | Singapore dollar |
v |
The Republic of Singapore is a city-state and parliamentary democracy in Asia.
Background
Singapore was founded as a British trading colony in 1819. It joined the Malaysian Federation in 1963 but separated two years later and became independent. Singapore subsequently became one of the world's most prosperous countries with strong international trading links (its port is one of the world's busiest in terms of tonnage handled) and with per capita GDP equal to that of the leading nations of Western Europe.[1]
Economy
Singapore has a highly developed and successful free-market economy. It enjoys a remarkably open and corruption-free environment, stable prices, and a per capita GDP higher than that of most developed countries. The economy depends heavily on exports, particularly in consumer electronics, information technology products, pharmaceuticals, and on a growing financial services sector. Real GDP growth averaged 7.1% between 2004 and 2008. The economy contracted 1.3% in 2009 as a result of the global financial crisis, but rebounded nearly 14.7% in 2010, on the strength of renewed exports. Over the longer term, the government hopes to establish a new growth path that focuses on raising productivity, which has sunk to 1% growth per year in the last decade. Singapore has attracted major investments in pharmaceuticals and medical technology production and will continue efforts to establish Singapore as Southeast Asia's financial and high-tech hub.[2]
President
- Tony Tan Keng Yam (₩) (September 1, 2011 - )
Prime Minister
- Lee Hsien Loong (₩) (August 12, 2004 - )
Nation
Singaporean Polities
State of Singapore
Colony of Singapore
Syonan
Straights Settlements
Neighbouring Nations
References
- Country Studies: Singapore (Library of Congress)
- Singapore: Guide to Law Online (Library of Congress)
- The World Factbook (CIA)
- Chiefs of State and Cabinet Members of Foreign Governments (CIA)
- U.S. Department of State
- Australian Government
- Commonwealth of Nations
- Inter-Parliamentary Union - Parliament
- BBC News Country Profile
- BBC News Time Line
- World Statesmen.org
- International Constitutional Law Project
- Psephos Election Archive
- Wikipedia