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Singapore, Singapore Evan Allen, Ian London, Miranda Silverman Singapore: Introduction Singapore is an island city-state located off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula about 85 miles north of the equator. The combined area of the islands that make up Singapore covers an area of approximately 240 square miles. The main island takes up all but about 18 square miles; those 18 square miles are some 60 smaller islands which surround the main one. “ Singapore is the largest port in Southeast Asia and one of the busiest in the world.” (Britannica) The prominent position of Singapore in this area as a connection between the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea has helped it achieve its position as a trading power. Singapore was once a British colony, and later became a member of the Commonwealth. In 1963 Singapore joined the Federation of Malaysia, and in 1965 on August 9 th it seceded to become an independent state. Singapore: The People Singapore is a land that is populated by a diverse group of people dominated by three ethnicities, which is the result of considerable immigration over the years. The Chinese make up more than three quarters of the population in Singapore. The next largest group that comprises Singapore ’s population is the Malays. The third largest of these groups is the Indians. Even more important though is an examination if the make up of the diversity within each of these ethnic groups. The Chinese have numerous different subcultures which speak many dialects. The Malay and Indian groups as well are composed of numerous different subgroups and dialects. The differences within each ethnic group as well as the numerous ethnic groups overall contribute to the diversity in Singapore. This ethnic diversity leads to the need for the numerous official languages to be recognized by the government of Singapore; these languages are English, Mandarin, Chinese, Malay, and Tamil. English is used as the language for commerce, administration, and industry. English is also the main language used for instruction in the schools. Mandarin is used primarily conversationally, as it is used by a great majority of the population. Malay, too, is used mainly for communication among the ethnic groups; it also has an important role in the close relationship between Singapore and Malaysia. Just as the population in Singapore is very diverse, so are the religious beliefs of its inhabitants. The ethnic patterns of the people of Singapore reflect the main religions. Many of the inhabitants of Singapore, the Chinese in particular, are believers in Confucianism, Buddhism, or Taoism. The Malays on the other hand, as well as some of the Indians, follow Islam. Christianity has been a growing religion over the past years. Hindu is the other main religion in Singapore. Singapore: The Land Singapore ’s main island sits very low, with nearly two-thirds of the island being less than 50 feet above sea level. The highest point, Timah Hill, is only 531 feet above sea level. Timah Hill and numerous other peaks (hills) form the rough terrain that is the center of the island. To the west and south are tracks of land marked by deep cuts and erosion as well as mountainous terrain such as Mount Faber. To the east are low flatlands marked by severe erosion in the small hills and valleys. “These physical units reflect their geological foundations: the central hills are formed from granite rocks, the scarp lands from highly folded and faulted sedimentary rocks, and the eastern plateau from uncompacted sands and gravels.” Singapore ’s drainage is handled by an intricate set of streams. However, even with these streams for runoff and drainage the island still experiences severe flooding at times, because the rivers are incapable of handling the high volumes of water the island receives from rain. The soils of the island are extremely infertile and make agriculture a near impossibility. Singapore has numerous plants and animals, however, little remains of the original plant and animal life. What does remain is thousands of acres of evergreen rain forest. What is seen today on the island as far as foliage is concerned are many exotic plants which were introduced solely for their looks. Animals on the island are diverse as well, with the most common being the Long-tailed Macaque (an Asian species of monkey), the Slow Loris (a type of Lemur which has no tail and large eyes), and the Anteater. In addition there are also numerous birds on the island, including the House Swallow and the Brahminy Kite. Furthermore, there are many reptile inhabitants, such as lizards and cobras. In the oceans which surround the island are a varied assortment of fish, most of which live in the coral reefs. Singapore is in the “equatorial monsoon region of Southeast Asia, and its climate it characterized by uniformly high temperatures and nearly constant precipitation throughout the year.” (Britannica) The temperatures are quite constant in Singapore, with average monthly temperatures ranging only from 81 degrees in June to 77 degrees in January. The wettest period in Singapore is from November to March, where there is an average of 10 inches of rain per month in this period. Over the course of the whole year Singapore averages about 95 inches of rain, “and rain falls somewhere on the island everyday of the year.” Works Cited
Singapore: Southeast Asia's Financial and High-Tech Hub The origins of Singapore ’s economy have been entirely shaped by the country’s geographic location, climate, and topography. As a peninsula located in Southeastern Asia between the islands of Malaysia and Indonesia, Singapore measures only 693 square kilometers. Comparatively, this is roughly 3.5 times the size of Washington D.C. Climate is hot, humid, and rainy, with two distinct monsoon seasons – Northeastern from December to March and Southeastern from June to September. In between these periods, Singapore experiences frequent afternoon and early evening thunderstorms. While all this rainfall allows for the growth of lush, beautiful tropical rainforests, it does little to aid in human sustainability. Agriculture and farming is nearly impossible. Singapore claims only a meager 1.64% arable land. Agriculture not only supplies a country with a high number of jobs, but it keeps export costs down. Surrounded by oceans, fresh water is also non-existent. Fishing and deepwater ports can be touted as a “natural resource” and a potential fuel for the economy, a country, however, based solely on its fish supplies has little chance for world economic success. And for Singapore, that is just the goal: to become an economic leader and world player. To compensate for its environmental handicaps, the government of Singapore set out in the late 1960’s (after its separation from the Malaysian Federation in 1965) to build a globalized and entrepreneurial economy. The manufacturing sector became the basis for Singapore ’s industrial growth; low cost labor and production output was based on low to mid-level technology. Domestic business was played-down because the government argued that large industry was more effective at stimulating growth and maintaining long-term development. Along with the formation of the National Wage Council in 1972 to help promote better labor-management relations, the government nationalized companies in areas where the private sector was weak: Singapore Airlines, Neptune Orient Airlines, and Sembawang Shipyard all helped not just to fuel Singapore ’s growing economy on the home-front but to bring in tourism from abroad. Today, Singapore boasts one of the strongest economies in the world with a GDP equal to that of the leading nations in Western Europe. While the government uses its monetary resources to invest in infrastructure, it still places primary focus on the private sector. The government also orients its education and training programs nationwide to fit the specific needs of the economy. Right now, technical skills are in high demand. Singapore is a free market system. Allowing industries to quickly respond to the market’s ebb and flow ensures that the country’s scarce natural resources are allocated efficiently. With 18% of the labor force in the manufacturing sector, Singapore is strong in the following industries:
With its tiny amount of arable land, Singapore produces the following agricultural products:
Over the years, Singapore ’s intense and pulsing desire to achieve high economic success has come with a price. Turning to manufacturing and other non-agricultural industries has resulted in both industrial pollution and waste disposal problems. Although the natural climate often produces hazy and rainy weather, the constant churn of manufacturing plants definitely adds to the thick, gray, and hazy atmosphere. Finally, Singapore ’s government has had to take an active interest in the industries of other surrounding nations. A prime example is Malaysia. Forest fires resulting from slash and burn tactics cause significant weather problems in Singapore, as the smoke drifts over the ocean and mixes with the ever present industrial pollution. Singapore believes that taking an active interest in the economies and industries of other nations can only benefit all sides of the equation. Culture: Diverse Origins Help Bring Singapore to Life Travel to Singapore and you will find a wealth of old tradition mixed with new life. Stemming from Chinese, Malay, Indian, and Arab roots, Singapore is always playing host to exciting musical, historical, and religious festivals. But it is the contrast between old traditions of feng shui and ancestor worship with the modern landscape of hi-tech high-rises that gives the city its mysterious charm. Singapore is divided into several districts: Little India, Chinatown, Arab Street, Jurong, and Colonial Singapore. Walk through each section of the city to discover the riches of each culture – Muslim mosques, great Chinese temples, museums representing old colonial rule, and the fragrant smell of Indian spices. Religious festivals occur throughout the year. Chinese New Year in January or February celebrates both the living and the dead with dragon dances, parades, and fireworks. In May, the Buddhist Vesak Day celebrates the Buddha’s birth, his enlightenment, and his death. Events include the release of caged birds to symbolize the liberation of captive souls. The month of September brings the Chinese festival of the Hungry Ghosts. The souls of the dead are released to enjoy feasting and entertainment – especially opera. Older Singaporeans flock to Chinese opera to take part in its vibrant mixture of dialogue, music, song, and dance. Chinese opera dates back to the 14 th century at the start of the Ming dynasty. As with any cultural melting pot, Singapore has incredible food. Nonya cooking is mixture of Chinese and Malay food; lemongrass and coconut cream are common ingredients. Singapore is also home to amazing tropical fruits, such as mangosteen, durian, jackfruit, starfruit, chiku, and rambutan. Visit Singapore anytime! Despite the monsoon seasons, Singapore ’s climate is fairly steady (fairly steady rainfall, that is) so not to worry. Whether for business or pleasure try and plan a trip during a festival of your choice. Works Cited
Singapore: Island, City, Nation The island-nation of Singapore is tiny. In fact, the island is only 3.5 times the size of Washington, DC (CIA Factbook). Obviously, such a small state does not offer the climatological diversity (and problems thereof) that one finds in a larger nation such as Russia or China. However, a state with such limited land area creates unique problems of its own. Population density problems result in improper waste disposal, crowding, constant fresh water shortages and crime. Singapore has very little topographical variation. In fact, the tallest point on the island is Bukit Timah Hill, a mere 166m above sea level (CIA Factbook). This aspect of Singapore ’s geography brings two main issues to the forefront: fresh water supply and impact of flooding. Singapore ’s land contains precious little fresh water, necessitating public works to look elsewhere. Most of Singapore ’s fresh water is pumped into the island via a pipeline from Malaysia. Of course, this resource comes at a price, and the water supply has long been a point of contention between the two neighboring nations. Singapore ’s low elevation could be disastrous should ocean levels rise. Like many other island nations, Singapore stands to lose much of its land to the Pacific Ocean if the global climate continues to warm. Thus, Singapore has been very involved in the global movement to reduce the effects of global warming. Singapore has signed (but not yet ratified) UN treaties on climate change and on protection of the ozone layer (CIA Factbook). However, not all facets of Singapore ’s geography have been detrimental to its growth. Singapore ’s prime location at the end of the Malaysian peninsula ensured from the very beginning that Singapore would be a key player in the Southeast Asian trading world. Through much of its early history, Singapore was fought over by powers seeking to utilize its prime trading location. When the Treaty of Nanking was signed by the majority of European colonial powers, it was only logical that the most powerful empire of the era ( Great Britain ) would get to control this vital and profitable port. Logically, Singapore ’s disproportionately large population has constantly faced (in recent history) a housing crisis. On an island where land is such a rare and expensive commodity, few people can afford to own their own land. As a result, most expansion has been upward. Singapore ’s skyline is dominated by soaring skyscrapers making the most of tiny territorial allowances. Of course, when land is more expensive, fewer families can afford their own housing. If it weren’t for the government’s involvement, many families would not be able to afford the cost of daily life in Singapore. The government has allocated much funding to public housing projects, and the people have made good use of the lowered housing costs. In fact, nine out of ten Singaporean families live in public housing projects (VisitSingapore.com). One would think that Singapore ’s high population density (6,430 people per square kilometer; second highest in world behind Monaco ) would lend itself to high rates of crime. This trend has not surfaced in Singapore, as a result of Singapore ’s highly controversial system of corporal punishment. This system came under fire in 1994, when American student Michael P. Fay was caught vandalizing vehicles. Despite outcries from the US government and populace, on May 5 1994 he received four lashes for his petty crime. This is a prime example of the effect a nation’s environment can have on its culture: low land availability causes overcrowding, necessitating a stricter law code, leading to controversy and confrontation with nations and cultures that share different views. Meteorological phenomena affecting Singapore are numerous, but one deserving special consideration is the monsoon season. From June to September, Singapore is subject to seasonal rainfall, as the Nepalese Low system draws moist air into Singapore from the Indian Ocean and Indonesian Sea. The opposite of this system, the Winter Monsoon, draws dry air from the Indo-Gangetic plain onto Singapore, en route to the Indian Ocean. Inter-monsoon seasons are characterized by frequent afternoon thunderstorms. Extreme conditions aside, Singapore ’s climate is on average hot, humid and tropical. This makes Singapore a very suitable tourist destination. From an ecological standpoint, Singapore could use some improvement. Much like all industrialized nations, Singapore releases into the atmosphere an unhealthy amount of pollutants and particulates. However, because all of Singapore ’s population is concentrated into a small area, deteriorations in air quality can be much more dangerous than in many of the world’s industrial areas. Most of Singapore is developed and industrialized. Factories, industries, automobiles and other fossil-fuel-burning entities compromise the air quality of the region, and will continue to do so until advances are made into more efficient energy use and reduction of fossil-fuel exhaust emissions. However, much as the majority of the earth’s air pollution is caused by natural means, Singapore also has natural air pollutants to worry about. A natural phenomenon affecting Singapore ’s air quality is air pollution from forest fires in Indonesia. Poor farmers practicing slash and burn agriculture in Indonesia send huge plumes of smoke into high-altitude air currents. These currents carry the air directly over the island of Singapore. The effects of this smoke on Singapore ’s air quality are sometimes so severe that the government issues air quality advisories to the citizens, warning them to stay inside when the air is especially unclean. The smoke sometimes settles on the island like a fog, limiting visibility and sunlight much the same way smog in London or Los Angeles does. Singapore is a unique nation: wealthy, industrialized, modern, tiny, low-lying, teeming with life. Singapore has much to gain from its geographical and human resources, yet it also is at risk to lose both of those if the world’s climate is allowed to deteriorate significantly further. If the oceans were to rise, Singapore would be lost to the pacific. If the air quality continues to deteriorate as a result of the burning of fossil fuels on this highly-industrialized island (or the burning of forests in Indonesia ), Singapore ’s resource of ingenious and productive people might not be healthy enough to reap the fruits of their toil. Works Cited
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