Case study in Geography (Singapore )

1. Case study in Geography(Singapore) • Geography is the study of the earth and it’s features 1. It is an important part in the study of human history because we as humans have had to control our surroundings in order to survive. • Geography has several major themes that reflect and shape world history

2. I. Location • 1. Absolute Location: Between latitudes 1º 09´N and 1º 29´N and longitudes 103º 36´E and 104º25´E • 2. Relative location: An island country on the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula where the South China sea and Indian Ocean meet.

3. II. Region/ Place Climate: Singapore is an equatorial country with relatively uniform temperature, high humidity and abundant rainfall. • Average daily temperature: 26.8ºC - 31ºC • Annual rainfall:2,345 mm with increased rainfall from Nov to Jan • Official languages: English (language of administration), Chinese (Mandarin), Malay (National language) & Tamil • Religions aged 15 years and over: Buddhism (42.5%); Taoism (8.5%); Islam (14.9%); Christianity (14.6%); Hinduism (4.0%); Other religions (0.6%); No religion (14.8%)

4. III. Human/ Environment Interaction 1. Singapore is an island, thus the people have built bridges to mainland Malaysia and carved out a harbor out of parts of it’s coastline to accommodate it’s busy ocean traffic 2. Nearly 3million of it’s citizens live in the capital whit population density is about 12,000persons per square mile vs. the United states density of about 71/ per square mile!

5. IV. Movement • History is in many ways a study of movement; and Singapore is a very prosperous center for trade, finance, ideas, religion. Language, and culture.

6. Singapore Laws • The sale of gum is prohibited. • Homosexuals are not allowed to live in the country. • Pornography is illegal. • As it is considered pornographic, you may not walk around your home nude. • Failure to flush a public toilet after use may result in very hefty fines. • It is considered an offense to enter the country with cigarettes. • Cigarettes are illegal at all public places. • It is illegal to come within 50 meters of a pedestrian crossing marker on any street. • If you are convicted of littering three times, you will have to clean the streets on Sundays with a bib on saying, "I am a litterer." This will then be broadcasted on the local news. • It is illegal to pee in an elevator. • Bungee jumping is illegal. (Repealed)

7. Land and Climate Total land area: 682.3 sq km. Comprises one main island (604.2 sq km) and a number of islets scattered off its north-east and south. Location: Between latitudes 1º 09´N and 1º 29´N and longitudes 103º 36´E and 104º 25´E. Climate: Singapore is an equatorial country with relatively uniform temperature, high humidity and abundant rainfall. Average daily temperature: 26.8ºC - 31ºC Annual rainfall:2,345 mm with increased rainfall from Nov to Jan Have A Great Day

8. People • People Singapore's people are largely descendents of immigrants from the Malay Peninsula, China and the Indian sub-continent. • Total Population: 4.16m • Resident population (Singapore citizens and permanent residents): 3.38m • Resident population growth (2000-2001): 1.8% • Population density (2001): 6,055 per sq. km • Resident Population by Race:Chinese (76.5%); Malays (13.8%); Indians (8.1%); Others (1.6%). • Population by age: Below 15 (21.4%); 15-64 (71.2%); 65 and over (7.4%) • Official languages: English (language of administration), Chinese (Mandarin), Malay (National language) & Tamil • Religions aged 15 years and over: Buddhism (42.5%); Taoism (8.5%); Islam (14.9%); Christianity (14.6%); Hinduism (4.0%); Other religions (0.6%); No religion (14.8%)

9. EducationGeneral literacy rate (15 years and over): 93.2% [2001] Literacy in 2 or more languages: 56 % Tertiary education: 3 universities (National University of Singapore, Nanyang Technological University and Singapore Management University); 5 polytechnics. Working adults can enrol in the Open University Degree Programme run by the Singapore Institute of Management. The universities produced 9,923 first-degree graduates as at Aug 2002, while the polytechnics produced 16,736 graduates from part-time and full-time diploma courses as at July 2002. Education

10. Houses • Households in Singapore • 86% of Singaporeans lives in public housing, of which 93% own the HDB flats they occupied. [Labour Force Survey 2001] • No. of resident private households in Singapore:923,000 (Census of Population 2000) • All households* [1998 Household Expenditure Survey] Consumer Goods (%) Refrigerator 98.6 Television 98.6 Telephone 96.9 Washing machine 90.8 Video/Laser/Compact disc player 56.7 Personal Computer 47.4 Air conditioner 57.7 Private car/station wagon 34.9 Microwave oven 37.7 * includes one-person households.

11. Transport and Communications Port figures 2002: Total no. of vessels calling at the port: 142,745 Airport statistics 2003Total passenger traffic: 28.1 million Total airfreight: 1.5 million tonnes Total no. of cars in Singapore: 405,797 Forms of public transport: MRT service: SMRT runs the North South and East West Lines with 51 stations serving 1.1 million trips dailySBS Transit runs the North East Line with 14 operating stations serving 200,000 trips daily LRT service: Bukit Panjang LRT runs 14 stations and a depot integrated with a commercial complexSengkang LRT runs 14 stations and a depot and acts as a feeder to the North East Line Bus service: 2 companies operating 261 routes with a fleet of 3,395 buses Taxi service: 5 groups of operators running a fleet of 19,007 taxis Forms of communications: Total no. of mobile phone users: 3,336,400 (80.1%) Total no. of pager subscribers: 222,100 (5.3%) Total no. of telephone lines:1,915,700 (45.9%) Total no. of Internet Dial-up subscribers:2,025,700 (48.7%) Transportation

12. Parliament is elected by general election every five years. The first sitting of Parliament was held on 8 Dec 1965. The first general election for Parliament was held on 13 Apr 1968. There are 24 registered political parties. Parliament, elected on 3 Nov 2001 has 82 People's Action Party Members of Parliament (MPs), 2 Opposition MPs and 1 Non-Constituency Member of Parliament. In addition, there are 9 Nominated MPs. The Judiciary: The Supreme Court and the Subordinate Courts The Judiciary administers the law independently of the Executive and this independence is safeguarded by the Constitution. Government Singapore is a republic with a parliamentary system of government based on the Westminster model. ORGANS OF STATE The Executive: Head of State and Cabinet Head of State: President S R Nathan, elected on 1 Sep 1999 The President is elected for a fixed term of six years. Cabinet:Led by the Prime Minister, Mr Goh Chok Tong [since 28 Nov 1990] Government

13. Country Information • Singapore's Country Information • Name : Singapore Official Name : Republic of Singapore Capital : Singapore Climate : Wet tropical climate with no clearly defined seasons. Average annual temperature is 27° C (81° F). Race : 76.4% Chinese, 14.9% Malay, 6.4% Indian, 2.3% other. Language : Chinese spoken primarily in homes, English used in administration and business. Official Language : Chinese, English, Malay, Tamil. Religion : Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism, Christianity, Sikh, Taoist, Confucianist Government : Republic within Commonwealth. Population (in mil) : 3.2 Literacy Rate : 92.2% Visas : Western nationals do not require visas; a 14-day permit is issued on arrival A one-month permit is usually no problem if asked for but extensions beyond a month are difficult to obtain. Immunisations : Time : GMT/UTC plus eight hours. Electricity : 220-240V, 50 Hz. Weights & Measures : Metric with local. Currency : Singapore dollar Travellers Cheque : Moneychangers in major shopping centres.ATMs are widespread on the island. Credit Cards : All major credit cards are widely accepted in Singapore. Tipping : Tipping is not necessary in Singapore