Introduction
Singapore was founded as a British trading colony in 1819. It joined the Malaysian Federation in 1963 but separated two years later and became independent. It subsequently became one of the world's most prosperous countries with strong international trading links (its port is the world's busiest in terms of tonnage handled) and with per capita GDP equal to that of the leading nations of Western Europe.
Location
Southeastern Asia, islands between Malaysia and Indonesia
Geographic coordinates
1 22 N, 103 48 E
Area - comparative
slightly more than 3.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Maritime claims
territorial sea: 3 NM
exclusive fishing zone: within and beyond territorial sea, as defined in treaties and practice
Climate
tropical; hot, humid, rainy; two distinct monsoon seasons - Northeastern monsoon from December to March and Southwestern monsoon from June to September; inter-monsoon - frequent afternoon and early evening thunderstorms
Natural resources
fish, deepwater ports
Environment - current issues
industrial pollution; limited natural fresh water resources; limited land availability presents waste disposal problems; seasonal smoke/haze resulting from forest fires in Indonesia
Environment - international agreements
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Population
4,353,893 (July 2004 est.)