Singapore Singapore Official name: Republic of Singapore Area: 648 square kilometers (250 square miles) Highest point on mainland: Bukit Timah (166 meters/545 feet) Lowest point on land: Sea level Hemispheres: Northern and Eastern P.M. = noon GMT Longest distances: 42 kilometers (26 miles) from east-northeast to west-southwest; 23 kilometers (14 miles) from south-southeast to north-northwest Land boundaries: None Coastline: 193 kilometers (120 miles) Territorial sea limits: 5.6 kilometers (3 nautical miles) 1 LOCATION AND SIZE The Republic of Singapore consists of a main island and sixty-three islets just south of the tip of the Malay Peninsula in Southeast Asia. Singapore, the second smallest country in Asia, is often described as a city-state. The diamond-shaped main island, which accounts for all but about 38 square kilometers (15 square miles) of the republic's area, is almost entirely urban.

With a total area of 648 square kilometers (250 square miles), Singapore is nearly 3.5 times the size of Washington, D.C. 2 TERRITORIES AND DEPENDENCIES Singapore has no territories or dependencies. 3 CLIMATE Singapore has a humid, rainy, tropical climate, with temperatures moderated by the seas surrounding the islands. Temperatures are nearly uniform throughout the year, averaging 25°C (77°F) in January and 27°C (81°F) in June. Although the island lies between 1 and 2 degrees north of the equator, the maritime influences moderate the heat of the region. The highest temperature ever recorded in Singapore is only 36°C (97°F). Singapore is very humid, with heavy rainfall all year. Annual rainfall averages 237 centimeters (93 inches). The northeast monsoon that occurs between November and March brings the heaviest rainfall of the year. 4 TOPOGRAPHIC REGIONS The main island has three major geographic divisions: an elevated, hilly area in the center; a section of lower, rolling land to the west; and flatlands to the east. Singapore's smaller islands are low-lying with coastal beaches.

5 OCEANS AND SEAS Singapore is located between the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea. Seacoast and Undersea Features The coastal waters surrounding Singapore are generally less than 30 meters (100 feet) deep. Sea Inlets and Straits Singapore is bordered on the north by the Johore Strait, which separates it from the Malay Peninsula, on the southeast by the Singapore Strait, and on the southwest by the Strait of Malacca. Islands and Archipelagos After Singapore Island, the next-largest island in the country is Pulau Tekong Besar to the northeast, with an area of only 18 square kilometers (7 square miles). Coastal Features The easternmost part of the coastline is smooth, but the rest has many indentations; the most important of these is the deep natural harbor at the mouth of the Singapore River on the southern coast. 6 INLAND LAKES Singapore has no significant natural lakes, but it has fourteen artificial bodies of water that were created by the construction of reservoirs. 7 RIVERS AND WATERFALLS Singapore's rivers are all short, including its main river, which has the same name as the island itself.

The Singapore River flows into the wide harbor on the island's southeastern coast. Other rivers include the Seletar (at 14 Singapore's kilometers/9 miles, the longest on the island), Jurong, Kalang, Kranji, and Serangoon. 8 DESERTS There are no deserts in Singapore. 9 FLAT AND ROLLING TERRAIN Aside from Bukit Timah Hill, the main island's highest point, Singapore's central hills include Mandai and Panjang. Lower ridges extend northwest-to-southeast in the western and southern parts of the island. 10 MOUNTAINS AND VOLCANOES The highest land on Singapore is a ridge of rugged hills in the center of the island. The highest is Bukit Timah Hill, at 165 meters (545 feet). 11 CANYONS AND CAVES Singapore has no significant caves or canyons. 12 PLATEAUS AND MONOLITHS The eastern part of the main island is a low, eroded plateau. 13 MAN-MADE FEATURES The Johore Causeway, built in the 1920s, is fewer than 3 kilometers (1 mile) long.

It bridges the Johore Strait, connecting Singapore to the Malaysian state of Johore. A second causeway opened in 1999. Land reclamation has added almost 15 square kilometers (6 square miles) to Singapore's total territory since 1966, mostly along the southeast coast, including reclamation on nearby islands. Fourteen reservoirs have been built on Singapore's rivers for flood control as well as for private and industrial water use. Almost all the reservoirs are located in the center of the island or at the mouths of rivers on the northeastern or western coasts. Among the largest are Seretar and Upper Pierce, both of which are situated in the center of the island. 14 FURTHER READING Fuller, Barbara. Berlitz: Discover Singapore . Oxford, England: Berlitz Publishing, 1993. Rowthorn, Chris, et al. Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei . Oakland, CA: Lonely Planet, 1999. Singapore and Malaysia. Knopf Guides. New York: Knopf, 1996. Warren, William. Singapore, City of Gardens.

Hong Kong: Periplus Editions, 2000. Web Sites Singapore Facts, History and Description By Kallie Szczepanski Updated August 11, 2016. A bustling city-state in the heart of Southeast Asia, Singapore is famous for its booming economy and its strict regime of law and order. Long an important port of call on the monsoonal Indian Ocean trade circuit, today Singapore boasts one of the world's busiest ports, as well as thriving finance and services sectors. How did this tiny nation become one of the world's wealthiest? What makes Singapore tick? Government: According to its constitution, the Republic of Singapore is a representative democracy with a parliamentary system. In practice, its politics have been completely dominated by a single party, the People's Action Party (PAP), since 1959. The Prime Minister is the leader of the majority party in Parliament and also heads the executive branch of government; the President plays a mostly ceremonial role as the head of state, although he or she can veto the appointment of top-level judges. Currently, the Prime Minister is Lee Hsien Loong, and the President is Tony Tan Keng Yam.

continue reading below our video 4 Tips for Improving Test Performance The president serves a six-year term, while legislators serve five-year terms. The unicameral parliament has 87 seats, and has been dominated by PAP members for decades. Interestingly, there are also as many as nine nominated members, who are the losing candidates from opposition parties who came closest to winning their elections. Singapore has a relatively simple judicial system, made up of a High Court, a Court of Appeals, and several types of Commercial Courts. The judges are appointed by the President upon advice of the Prime Minister. Population: The city-state of Singapore boasts a population of about 5,354,000, packed in at a density of more than 7,000 people per square kilometer (almost 19,000 per square mile). In fact, it is the third-most densely populated country in the world, following only the Chinese territory of Macau and Monaco. Singapore's population is highly diverse, and many of its residents are foreign-born. Just 63% of the population are actually citizens of Singapore, while 37% are guest workers or permanent residents.

Ethnically, 74% of Singapore's residents are Chinese, 13.4% are Malay, 9.2% are Indian, and about 3% are of mixed ethnicity or belong to other groups. Census figures are somewhat skewed, because until recently the government only allowed residents to select a single race on their census forms. Languages: Although English is the most-commonly used language in Singapore, the nation has four official languages: Chinese, Malay, English and Tamil . The most common mother tongue is Chinese, with about 50% of the population. Approximately 32% speak English as their first language, 12% Malay, and 3% Tamil. Obviously, written language in Singapore is also complex, given the variety of official languages. Commonly-used writing systems include the Latin alphabet, Chinese characters and the Tamil script, which is derived from India's Southern Brahmi system. Religion in Singapore: The largest religion in Singapore is Buddhism, at about 43% of the population. The majority are Mahayana Buddhists , with roots in China, but Theravada and Vajrayana Buddhism also have numerous adherents.

Almost 15% of Singaporeans are Muslim , 8.5% are Taoist , about 5% Catholic , and 4% Hindu . Other Christian denominations total almost 10%, while approximately 15% of Singapore's people have no religious preference. Geography: Singapore is located in Southeast Asia, off the southern tip of Malaysia , north of Indonesia . It is made up of 63 separate islands, with a total area of 704 kilometers square (272 miles square). The largest island is Pulau Ujong, commonly called Singapore Island. Singapore is connected to the mainland via the Johor-Singapore Causeway and the Tuas Second Link. Its lowest point is sea-level, while the highest point is Bukit Timah at the lofty elevation of 166 meters (545 feet). Climate: Singapore's climate is tropical, so temperatures do not vary much throughout the year. Average temperatures range between about 23 and 32°C (73 to 90°F). The weather is generally hot and humid. There are two monsoonal rainy seasons - June to September, and December to March.

However, even during the inter-monsoon months it rains frequently in the afternoon. Economy: Singapore is one of the most successful Asian tiger economies, with a per capita GDP of $60,500 US, fifth in the world. Its unemployment rate as of 2011 was an enviable 2%, with 80% of workers employed in the services and 19.6% in industry. Singapore exports electronics, telecommunications equipment, pharmaceuticals, chemicals and refined petroleum. It imports food and consumer goods, but has a substantial trade surplus. As of October, 2012 the exchange rate was $1 US = $1.2230 Singapore dollars. History of Singapore: Humans settled the islands that now form Singapore at least as early as the 2nd century CE, but little is known about the early history of the area. Claudius Ptolemaeus, a Greek cartographer, identified an island in Singapore's location, and noted that it was an important international trading port. Chinese sources note the existence of the main island in the third century, but provide no details.

In 1320, the Mongol Empire sent emissaries to a place called Long Ya Men, or "Dragon's Tooth Strait," believed to be on Singapore Island. The Mongols were seeking elephants. A decade later, the Chinese explorer Wang Dayuan described a pirate fortress with mixed Chinese and Malay population called Dan Ma Xi, his rendering of the Malay name Tamasik (meaning "Sea Port"). As for Singapore itself, its founding legend states that in the thirteenth century, a prince of Srivijaya , called Sang Nila Utama or Sri Tri Buana, was shipwrecked on the island. He saw a lion there for the first time in his life, and took this as a sign that he should found a new city, which he named "Lion City" - Singapura. Unless the big cat was also shipwrecked there, it is unlikely that the story is literally true, since the island was home to tigers but not lions. For the next three hundred years, Singapore changed hands between the Java -based Majapahit Empire and the Ayutthaya Kingdom in Siam (now Thailand ).

In the 16th century, Singapore became an important trading depot for the Sultanate of Johor, based on the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula. However, in 1613 Portuguese pirates burned the city to the ground, and Singapore vanished from international notice for two hundred years. In 1819, Britain's Stamford Raffles founded the modern city of Singapore as a British trading post in Southeast Asia. It became known as the Straits Settlements in 1826, and then was claimed as an official Crown Colony of Britain in 1867. Britain retained control of Singapore until 1942, when the Imperial Japanese Army launched a bloody invasion of the island as part of its Southern Expansion drive in World War II. The Japanese Occupation lasted until 1945. Following the Second World War, Singapore took a circuitous route to independence. The British believed that the former Crown Colony was too small to function as an independent state. Nonetheless, between 1945 and 1962, Singapore received increasing measures of autonomy, culminating in self-government from 1955 to 1962.

In 1962, after a public referendum, Singapore joined the Malaysian Federation. However, deadly race riots broke out between ethnic Chinese and Malay citizens of Singapore in 1964, and the island voted in 1965 to break away from the Federation of Malaysia once more. In 1965, the Republic of Singapore became a fully self-governing, autonomous state. Although it has faced difficulties, including more race riots in 1969 and the East Asian financial crisis of 1997, it has proved overall a very stable and prosperous little nation. Bukit Timah Nature Reserve in Singapore - Lonely Planet Call 1800 471 7300 Singapore’s steamy Bukit Timah Nature Reserve is a 163-hectare tract of primary rainforest clinging to Singapore’s highest peak, Bukit Timah (163m). The reserve holds more tree species than the entire North American continent, and its unbroken forest canopy shelters what remains of Singapore’s native wildlife, including long-tailed macaques (monkeys), pythons and dozens of bird species.

The revamped visitor centre reopened in 2016, along with upgraded trails, and showcases the area's flora and fauna including two Sumatran tigers who once roamed Singapore. Food, Wine & Nightlife activity Singapore/North West - Wikitravel Singapore/North West Get in[ edit ] The North South Line runs through the Bukit Batok, Bukit Gombak, Choa Chu Kang, Yew Tee, Kranji all the way to Marsiling MRT stations, until it reaches the Marina Bay, whereas take a branch to the Bukit Panjang LRT from Choa Chu Kang to Petir and Pending. The Downtown Line would be ready in 2015 (Hillview, Cashew, Bukit Panjang, Sixth Avenue and Hwa Chong stations). Do[ edit ][ add listing ] Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, Hindhede Drive, [1] . At 166 meters this is Singapore's highest point — if you don't count the city's skyscrapers. It is also one of the last places in Singapore that is home to the original primary tropical rainforest that used to cover the entire island.

You can scale the hill in 15 minutes if you follow the paved road (boring) or 45-50 minutes if you do it the long way around (more interesting). Watch out for monkeys! Don´t expect a stunning view from the top, though. Almost nothing can be seen through the thick trees. Take SBS bus 170 or SMRT 67, 75, 171, 173, 184, 852 and 961 to the Courts department store on Upper Bukit Timah Rd and walk. Free. edit Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, (Kranji Express bus (hourly) from Kranji MRT), [2] . Daily 7:30 AM-7 PM. If you want to see a mangrove forest, this is your chance. As the reserve is basically a swamp, bring plenty of mosquito repellant and keep an eye out for crocodiles. The nature reserve is a site of international importance for migratory birds. It is also Singapore's first ASEAN heritage park. Free Mon-Fri, $1 Sat-Sun.

edit Singapore Turf Club (Kranji MRT), 1 Turf Club, ☎ +65-6879 1000, [3] . Host horse races, most commonly on Fridays (starting 6:30 PM) but occasionally on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday as well. Betting is allowed, making this a major draw for local gamblers. The Upper Grandstand is air-conditioned, while the Lower is not. $3/7 Lower/Upper Grandstand. edit Buy[ edit ][ add listing ] Lot One, 21 Choa Chu Kang Avenue 4 (Choa Chu Kang MRT/LRT), [4] . A shopping mall in Choa Chu Kang, it has the public library. It has Bossini, Mondo, MOF @ My Izakuya, and MUJI (due for opening in another hub). edit Junction 10, 1 Woodlands Road (Bukit Panjang Overground). A shopping mall that integrates with the renovated LRT station and the depot. Opened in 28 December 2011.

edit Drink[ edit ][ add listing ] Poyanix, 430 Jalan Sungei Poyan (Poyan Court #02-02/03/04). 7.30pm - 2am. edit Situated at Jalan Sungei Poyan, Poyanix has a lot of nightclubs that can drink. Charlie, 430 Jalan Sungei Poyan (Poyan Court #02-05/06). edit Situated at Jalan Sungei Poyan, Charlie has a lot of nightclub for party-goers. Blk 765 Xchange, Blk 765 Choa Chu Kang North 7. It has fitted with a proper nightclub. edit Singapore - Wikidata Singapore சிங்கப்பூர் குடியரசு (Tamil) 0 references Cite this page This page was last modified on 27 December 2016, at 06:33.

All structured data from the main and property namespace is available under the Creative Commons CC0 License ; text in the other namespaces is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License ; additional terms may apply. By using this site, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Singapore (Country) | Article about Singapore (Country) by The Free Dictionary Singapore (Country) | Article about Singapore (Country) by The Free Dictionary Related to Singapore (Country): capital of Singapore Singapore (sĭng`gəpôr, sĭng`ə–, sĭng'gəpôr`), officially Republic of Singapore, republic (2005 est. pop. 4,426,000), 299 sq mi (774 sq km). It consists of the island of Singapore and about 60 small adjacent islands at the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, SE Asia. Singapore city, the capital, largest city, and chief port, is administratively coextensive with the republic. The distinction between Singapore and Singapore city has virtually disappeared, as the island is almost entirely urbanized.

Land Lying just north of the equator and located between the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea, Singapore is situated at the convergence of some of the world's major sea-lanes. It is separated from Indonesia to the south by the Singapore Strait and from Malaysia to the north by the Johore Strait. Singapore island is low-lying and is composed of a granitic core (rising to 580 ft/177 m at Bukit Timah, the country's highest point) surrounded by sedimentary lowlands. Singapore has a tropical rain-forest climate with uniformly high temperatures and rainfall throughout the year. The island was once covered by rain forest, which is now limited to Bukit Timah Nature Reserve. The coast is broken by many inlets. Keppel Harbor, the heart of the port of Singapore, is a natural deepwater anchorage between Singapore and the islands of Brani and Sentosa (Blakang Mati), off the S central coast of Singapore island. The older urban areas of the city lie to the north and northeast of the port. Jurong Industrial Estate (c.20 sq mi/50 sq km), an industrial park built largely on reclaimed swampland, is in SW Singapore.

The city-state's architecture is a mix of British colonial, traditional Malay and Chinese, and modern. Among Singapore's notable buildings are the city hall, the Raffles Hotel, the Victoria Theatre and Victoria Concert Hall, the bristly, aluminum-clad Esplanade performance complex and the nearby Singapore Flyer Ferris wheel, and Old St. Andrew's Cathedral. The National Univ. of Singapore, the Nanyang Technological Univ., the Ngee Ann Polytechnic, and the Singapore Polytechnic are the leading educational institutions, and there are art, history, and science museums. Singapore has a botanic garden, a zoo, and a bird park as well as many parks. Sentosa island has been developed as a recreation and amusement complex. People As a city-state, Singapore is one of the world's most densely populated countries with about 12,000 people per sq mi (about 4,600 people per sq km). A massive urban renewal program, begun in the 1960s, has replaced virtually all of Singapore's slums with modern housing units.

As a result of family planning and a strict immigration policy, the annual rate of population increase has declined to just over 1%, down from 4.5% in the 1950s. The population is over 75% Chinese; the largest minorities are Malays (14%) and South Asians (8%). Buddhism, Islam, Taoism, Hinduism, and Christianity are the main religions of Singapore. The country has four official languages: Mandarin, English, Malay, and Tamil. Economy Less than 5% of Singapore's land is used for agriculture. Tropical fruits, orchids, and vegetables are intensively cultivated; rubber and copra are produced; and poultry, hogs, and tropical fish are raised. There are no exploitable natural resources in the country. Its power is produced by thermoelectric plants, and water is supplied by a number of reservoirs. Singapore has a fine rapid transit system, good roads, a railroad that crosses the island, and a causeway carrying road and rail traffic to the mainland. Singapore's workforce is employed primarily in manufacturing, in the service industries, and in commerce, with a negligible proportion engaged in agriculture.

The country has become a major center of international finance in recent decades. The economy slowed as a result of the Asian financial crisis of 1997–98 and the 2001 recession, but unemployment and inflation remained low. The increasing importance of China in manufacturing and finance, however, is seen as a threat to Singapore's future economic growth, and the nation has sought to develop its tourism industry (including casino gambling). Singapore is one of the world's greatest commercial centers, with a large, modern port. Commerce has historically been the chief source of income. For many years the largest importer in Southeast Asia, Singapore is a free port and an entrepôt that reexports more than half of what it imports, notably rubber, petroleum, textiles, timber, and tin. It also exports locally manufactured goods such as computers and telecommunications equipment, petroleum products, oil drilling equipment, plastics, rubber products, and processed food and beverages. The country imports most of its food. Singapore's chief trading partners are Malaysia, the United States, China, Japan, and Indonesia. With more than 300 factories and deepwater wharves, the Jurong Industrial Estate is Southeast Asia's largest industrial complex.

It and the Changi International Airport are built largely on infill of marsh and shallow waters of the straits. The country has a number of large petroleum storage and refining facilities, and Keppel Harbor is one of the world's largest container-handling facilities. Development of the former British naval base at Sembawang on the Johore Strait as a commercial shipyard helped to enhance Singapore's status as a major center for shipbuilding and repairs. Government Singapore is governed under the constitution of 1959 as amended. The country has a parliamentary form of government. The president, who is head of state, is popularly elected for a six-year term. The government is headed by the prime minister, who is appointed by the president. The unicameral legislature consists of the 84-seat Parliament, whose members are popularly elected for five-year terms; additional members may be appointed. The supreme court, the nation's highest judicial body, has seven members. The People's Action party (PAP) is the most important of Singapore's numerous political parties; it has been in power since 1959.

History The Development of Singapore Singapore was a trading center in the Srivijaya empire before it was destroyed in the 14th cent. by the Majapahit empire. It later became part of Johore (see Johor Johor or Johore , state (1991 pop. 2,074,297), 7,360 sq mi (19,062 sq km), at the southern extremity of the Malay Peninsula, Malaysia, opposite Singapore. It is largely covered with rain forests and swamps. ..... Click the link for more information. ) in the Malacca Sultanate. The sparsely populated island was ceded (1819) to the British East India Company through the efforts of Sir T. Stamford Raffles Raffles, Sir Thomas Stamford Bingley, 1781–1826, British East Indian administrator. He was one of the founders of Britain's empire in East Asia. Beginning his career (1795) as a clerk in the British East India Company, he was sent to Pinang, Malaya (Malaysia), in 1805 as ..... Click the link for more information.

; he founded the modern city of Singapore there that same year. In 1824, Singapore came under the complete control of the British and, although containing only a small fishing and trading village, quickly attracted Chinese and Malay merchants. The port grew rapidly, soon overshadowing Penang (see Pinang Pinang or Penang , state (1991 pop. 1,065,075), c.400 sq mi (1,040 sq km), Malaysia, on the Strait of Malacca. It consists of Pulau Pinang (an island of 108 sq mi/280 sq km), formerly known as Georgetown; and Province Wellesley (292 sq mi/756 sq km), a strip of ..... Click the link for more information. ) and Malacca (see Melaka Melaka or Malacca , state (1991 pop. 504,502), 640 sq mi (1,658 sq km), Malaysia, S Malay Peninsula, on the Strait of Malacca.

Formerly one of the Straits Settlements, it was constituted a state of Malaya in 1957 (see Malaysia). ..... Click the link for more information. ) in importance. With them Singapore became part of the Straits Settlements Straits Settlements, collective name for certain former British colonies in Southeast Asia. The three British East India Company territories of Pinang, Singapore, and Malacca (see Melaka) were given a unified administration in 1826 and called the Straits Settlements. ..... Click the link for more information. in 1826. The development of Malaya under British rule in the late 19th and early 20th cent. made Singapore one of the leading ports of the world for the export of tin and rubber. The construction of a railroad through the Malay Peninsula to Bangkok swelled Singapore's trade, and the building of airports made it more than ever a communication center. A naval base at Sembawang, begun in 1924, was completed in 1938; the island, sometimes called the Malta of the East, was reinforced in the early days of World War II.

After the swift Japanese campaign in Malaya, however, Singapore was successfully attacked across the Johore Strait, and on Feb. 15, 1942, the British garrison surrendered; Singapore was reoccupied by the British in Sept., 1945. In 1946, Singapore, no longer a part of the Straits Settlements, was constituted a crown colony, with Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands. Following a decade of Communist terrorism, Singapore, separated from Christmas Island and the Cocos-Keeling islands, became (June, 1959) a self-governing state. Modern Singapore In the 1959 general elections the People's Action party (PAP) won control of the government and continued in power after winning the 1963 elections. Under the policies of Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew Lee Kuan Yew , 1923–2015, prime minister of Singapore (1959–90). Educated in England, he obtained a law degree from Cambridge Univ. in 1949 and in 1954 founded the moderately leftist People's Action party. .....

Click the link for more information. , Singapore's economic base was strengthened and a greater degree of social and cultural homogeneity was achieved. With the establishment in the 1960s of the Economic Development Board, the Development Bank of Singapore, and the International Trading Company and the subsequent influx of foreign investment, Singapore's industrial base was diversified, expanded, and modernized. Following a referendum (1962), Singapore merged (Aug., 1963) with Malaya, Sarawak, and Sabah to form the Federation of Malaysia. Frictions soon arose, however, and Singapore was, by mutual agreement, separated from the federation in Aug., 1965, becoming an independent republic. The exclusion of Singapore was largely due to Malay fears of Singapore's Chinese majority and its potential economic domination in the federation. Singapore has remained in the Commonwealth of Nations, and it joined the United Nations in 1965; it was one of the founding members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), organization established by the Bangkok Declaration (1967), linking the nations of Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand. ..... Click the link for more information.

(ASEAN) in 1967. Close strategic ties to the United States are reflected in an agreement that provides access to Singapore's naval base by American warships. Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew Lee Kuan Yew , 1923–2015, prime minister of Singapore (1959–90). Educated in England, he obtained a law degree from Cambridge Univ. in 1949 and in 1954 founded the moderately leftist People's Action party. ..... Click the link for more information. was the dominant figure in Singapore's authoritarian political environment until his resignation in 1990 after 31 years in office. Singapore experienced steady economic growth and diversification during his tenure, but the country was criticized internationally during the 1980s and 1990s for severe treatment of political dissidents and a harsh system of justice. Bukit Timah Nature Reserve - a precious remnant of primary rainforest Urban Development The Bukit Timah Nature Reserve now stands totally cut off from the bulk of Singapore's regenerating secondary forest by a six-lane road development.

New roads are now being built to the north, completing the hill's encirclement by tarmac. An ugly communications building dominates the summit and recent, thoughtless condominium development at the park's boundary has meant an increase in recreational visitors. There is serious erosion along some of the forest trails. Furthermore, what are the long term effects of the granite quarrying which has eaten away at the hillside for decades ? Is there a risk of the water table becoming lower ? Is the forest becoming drier ? A precarious existence indeed for this last sizable remnant of Singapore's once extensive Primary Forest. There is no suggestion that inappropriate development will ever take place within the boundary of the reserve as the land is under the care of the National Parks Board, but the ecological damage may already have been done at the periphery. Amazing diversity The impressive crown of the Seraya Shorea curtisii Singapore is located in the middle of one of the world's biodiversity hotspots; in neighbouring Malaysia there are over 10,000 plant species (compared with around 1500 species, for example, in the United Kingdom).

Despite the negative effects of recent urban development in the area, the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve still stands as a microcosm of this amazing diversity. All the major plant groups one would expect in a tropical rainforest occur here - fig trees, rattans, palms, lianas, vines, epiphytes and, last but not least, the majestic Dipterocarps which so dominate the canopy. Perhaps the most dramatic of the dipterocarps is the Seraya Shorea curtisii. Its massive, fissured bole rises straight and cylindrical with little taper for hundreds of feet, ending in a huge, spreading crown. Fine examples of this species can easily be found towards the summit (many tree species along the road leading to the summit are marked with informative plaques). The Seraya is a member of the Red Meranti timber group, and its wood is highly valued. Various fern species line the banks of this crystal clear stream emerging from the forest Singapore still has over 100 fern species and over 80 of these are to be found on Bukit Timah, though some are extremely rare.

Ferns can be of various sizes, from tiny specimens a few millimetres across to Tree Ferns and Elephant Ferns a few metres in height. The richest locality for fern growth is aptly named Fern Valley. Here an intermittent stream provides moist and shady conditions, ideal for the germination of delicate spores and the growth of the fern's prothallus i.e. the intermediate stage of a fern's lifecycle. Epiphytic ferns, such as the Stag's Horn Fern Platycerium coronarium and the Bird's Nest Fern Asplenium nidus are also to be found here in their natural habitat. Both these species cling to the trunks and branches of older trees, and their dead leaves form a large mass of wet, rotting vegetation which provides a niche for hanging ferns such as the Adder's Tongue Fern Ophioglossum pendulum. These ferns do no harm to the host trees. Spiky Rattans The bane of many forest explorers, the Rattans bear fearsome spines on their stems and leaves. Numerous species are to be found in the reserve, particularly where a gap has appeared in the canopy and sunlight is streaming through.

Not only for protection, the spines help the Rattan cling to the trunks of trees. Many Rattans grow to a height at which they are unable to support their own weight and they collapse in a tangle to the forest floor. Good examples of smaller Rattans are to be seen along the main road leading to the summit. Rattans are an economically important group of forest plants in some countries, especially the Philippines, where their stems are treated and fashioned into useful implements or into beautiful, tropical furniture. Fruits of the Forest Visitors from temperate climates will be surprised to learn that the small, spherical, green "fruits" growing in abundance on the trunk and branches of certain trees are in fact figs, familiar as they are with the packets of large, processed, sugary figs of Middle Eastern origin which appear on supermarket shelves. Fig trees have many surprising characteristics. The fig "fruit" is actually a tiny bouquet of flowers turned inside-out, such that the reproductive structures are enclosed in a fruit-like protective case. The male and female flowers are arranged inside this structure to allow pollination by fig wasps, which enter through a tiny hole. Each fig species relies on a totally different fig wasp to perform this function.

In return for the fig wasp's services, the fig tree produces galls in which the fig wasp can lay its eggs and its young can grow in safety. Once the fig "fruits" have been pollinated and have matured it is feasting time for the birds, bats, squirrels and monkeys of the forest who unwittingly distribute the fertile seeds to other areas. Thus, fig trees are totally reliant on the animal kingdom for pollination and seed dispersal. Fig trees can easily be found at the forest edge, close to the Visitor Centre. Also at the edge of the Primary Forest you will find evidence of former occupation of the land. Brick walls and foundations of long forgotten homes lie amidst secondary regrowth and, here and there, fruit trees such as Rambutan, Banana, Durian and Jackfruit. Secretive Wildlife The forest is alive with birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians. So why can't they be seen ? Well, many forest species are extremely shy and are able to hide easily in the dense foliage or remain out of sight in the canopy. Many animals, such as lizards, frogs and toads are well camouflaged and rather than move away from the sound of approaching people will simply freeze.

Many frogs and toads hide under leaf litter, but you may hear them croaking after a downpour or as night time approaches. And many species are nocturnal, such as the Flying Lemur or Colugo Galeopterus variegatus and the Pangolin or Scaly Anteater Manis javanica, which prefer to be active in the cool of night. The biggest obstacle to spotting wildlife, however, is our own noisy progress as we crash along the forest paths ! Walk slowly and quietly, and wear dull coloured clothes and you will get closer to the wildlife. Some forest species, however, are easy to spot including the Common Tree Shrew Tupaia glis and the Plantain Squirrel Callosciurus notatus. The Long-tailed Macaque Macaca fascicularis is the least shy of the forest dwellers; when you finish your walk in the forest and return to the Car Park you may well find them sitting on the roof of your car or admiring themselves in the wing mirror !

Question: Bukit Timah is the highest point in which Republic of Southeast Asia?
Answer: Singapore