Introducing My Country - REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE

SINGAPORE name derives from the Sanskrit words "singa" (lion) and "pura" (city) to describe the city-state's leonine symbol

Flag Description
Two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white; near the hoist side of the red band, there is a vertical, white crescent (closed portion is toward the hoist side) partially enclosing five white five-pointed stars arranged in a circle; red denotes brotherhood and equality; white signifies purity and virtue; the waxing crescent moon symbolizes a young nation on the ascendancy; the five stars represent the nation's ideals of democracy, peace, progress, justice, and equality.

National symbol(s): - lion, merlion (mythical half lion-half fish creature), orchid; national colors: red, white.

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Singapore was founded as a British trading colony in 1819. It joined the Malaysian Federation in 1963 but was ousted 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.

Geography: Location - Southeastern Asia, islands between Malaysia and Indonesia.
Area - Total: 697sq km Land: 687sq km Water: 10sq km Country comparison to the world: 192
Area - Comparative: - Slightly more than 3.5 times the size of Washington, DC.
Coastline: - 193km

Climate: - tropical; hot, humid, rainy; two distinct monsoon seasons - Northeastern monsoon (December to March) and Southwestern monsoon (June to September); inter-monsoon - frequent afternoon and early evening thunderstorms.

Natural resources: - fish, deepwater ports.

Population: - 5,781,728 (July 2016 est.)
Nationality: - Singaporean.

Ethnic groups: - Chinese 74.3%, Malay 13.4%, Indian 9.1% (includes Sri Lankan), other 3.2% (2016 est.)

Languages: - Mandarin (official) 36.3%, English (official) 29.8%, Malay (official) 11.9%, Hokkien 8.1%, Cantonese 4.1%, Tamil (official) 3.2%, Teochew 3.2%, other Indian languages 1.2%, other Chinese dialects 1.1%, other 1.1% (2010 est.)

Religions: - Buddhist 33.9%, Muslim 14.3%, Taoist 11.3%, Catholic 7.1%, Hindu 5.2%, other Christian 11%, other 0.7%, none 16.4% (2010 est.)

International organization participation: - ADB, AOSIS, APEC, Arctic Council (observer), ARF, ASEAN, BIS, C, CP, EAS, FAO, FATF, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OPCW, Pacific Alliance (observer), PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO.

Economy - overview: -
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. Unemployment is very low. The economy depends heavily on exports, particularly of consumer electronics, information technology products, medical and optical devices, pharmaceuticals, and on its vibrant transportation, business, and financial services sectors.

The economy contracted 0.6% in 2009 as a result of the global financial crisis, but has continued to grow since 2010. Growth in 2014-16 was slower than during the previous decade, at under 3% annually, largely a result of soft demand for exports amid a sluggish global economy and weak growth in Singapore’s manufacturing sector.

The government is attempting to restructure Singapore’s economy by weaning its dependence on foreign labour, addressing weak productivity growth, and increasing Singaporean wages. Singapore has attracted major investments in advanced manufacturing, pharmaceuticals and medical technology production and will continue efforts to strengthen its position as Southeast Asia's leading financial and technology hub. Singapore is a member of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership negotiations with the nine other ASEAN members plus Australia, China, India, Japan, South Korea, and New Zealand. In 2015, Singapore formed, with the other ASEAN members, the ASEAN Economic Community.

Agriculture - products: - orchids, vegetables; poultry, eggs; fish, ornamental fish
Industries: - electronics, chemicals, financial services, oil drilling equipment, petroleum refining, rubber processing and rubber products, processed food and beverages, ship repair, offshore platform construction, life sciences, entrepot trade.

Skyline of the Singapore business district. The larger of two Merlions (half fish-half lion creatures) may be seen spouting along the pier. Singapore is one of the world's leading financial centers.

Skyline of the Singapore business district. Singapore is one of the world's leading financial centers.

The larger of the two Merlions (half fish-half lion) on Marina Bay in Singapore stands at 8.6 meters and weighs 70 tons. The word "Sing" in Malay means lion; the city is often called "Lion City."

Smaller of the two Merlions (lion head and body of a fish) along the Singapore River. The word "Sing" comes from the Malay word for lion; thus the city is often called "Lion City." In the background looms the back of the statue of the larger Merlion, the Marina Bay Sands Hotel built to resemble a ship on towers, and the lotus flower-shaped ArtScience Museum.

View of the Marina Bay Sands complex in Singapore that opened in 2010 and has since become a city landmark. The three 55-story towers contain hotel rooms. The upper level Sky Park, built to resemble a ship, has the world's longest elevated swimming pool, restaurants, gardens, and a public observation deck. The integrated resort also includes an adjacent ArtScience Museum, a casino, and a convention center.

The Crystal Pavilion on Marina Bay in Singapore. The pavilion is part of the Marina Bay Sands hotel and casino.

The ArtScience Museum on Marina Bay in Singapore resembles a lotus flower. The museum is part of the Marina Bay Sands hotel and casino.

Parliament House in Singapore. The building is in the Civic District of the Downtown Core within the central business district.

The Raffles Hotel in Singapore was founded in 1887; it was named for Stamford Raffles, the founder of modern Singapore.

World War I Memorial in Singapore. The Cenotaph in Esplanade Park at Connaught Drive is a tribute to 124 British soldiers born or resident in Singapore who died fighting in WWI. The memorial was dedicated in March 1922. An extension was made in 1951 honoring unnamed soldiers who died in WWII.

Entrance to the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple in Singapore in Chinatown. The four-story building displays Tang Dynasty architecture.

The first floor of the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple in Singapore contains the Hundred Dragons or Mitreya Hall with 100 Buddhas on both sides of the hall. The statues were individually crafted by several sculptors.

View from Mount Faber of cable car system connecting mainland Singapore to Sentosa Island. The Marine Terminal and cruise ships may be seen in the middle ground. The cable cars run through the middle tower in the terminal.

A view of housing units on Sentosa Island as seen from Mount Faber on mainland Singapore.

Entrance to the National Orchid Garden in Singapore. The Garden is inside the 74-hectare (183-acre) Singapore Botanic Gardens founded in 1859. It has over 20,000 orchid plants on display on 3 hectares (7.4 acres).

**Orchids in the National Orchid Garden in Singapore. The Garden is inside the 74-hectare (183-acre) Singapore Botanic Gardens founded in 1859. It has over 20,000 orchid plants on display on 3 hectares (7.4 acres).

Hope that all Steem members and the communities enjoy this post and someday you might visit my country SINGAPORE.