Country
Countries A-Z
Singapore
Republic of Singapore
Xinjiapo Gongheguo (Chinese)
Republik Singapura (Malay)
Singapur Kutiyarasu (Tamil)
Political Status: Attained self-rule within the British Commonwealth June 3, 1959; joined in formation of Malaysia on September 16, 1963; independent republic since August 9, 1965.
Area: 246 sq. mi. (636 sq. km.), including adjacent islets that encompass some 15 sq. mi. (39 sq. km.).
Population: 4,017,733 (2000C); 4,887,000 (2008E). Both figures include nonresidents, who totaled 754,524 in 2000.
Major Urban Center (2005E): SINGAPORE (urban area, 4,296,000).
Official Languages: Chinese (Mandarin is the preferred form), English, Malay, Tamil.
Monetary Unit: Singapore Dollar (market rate December 1, 2009: 1.38 dollars = $1US).
President: Sellapan Ramanathan NATHAN; declared president-elect on August 18, 1999, by Presidential Elections Commission, which had ruled other potential nominees ineligible; inaugurated on September 1 for a six-year term, succeeding ONG Teng ...