8/10/2019 A Potrait of Singapore

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A POTRAIT OF SINGAPORE

The small city-state of Singapore is bustling, cosmopolitan, trendy, modern, and

plays a part on the worlds financial and political stage that seems

disproportionate to its size. Its varied traditions and intriguing mix of the old andnew (in its people and way of life) make Singapore a great multicultural city in the

truest sense.

Located at the tip of the Malay Peninsula on the

Strait of Malacca, Singapore consists of one

large island encircled by several smaller islets.

Gleaming high-rise buildings and a fascinating

diversity of foliage are crammed into a tiny areaof just 269 sq m (697 sq km), some of it

reclaimed land. Humidity and heavy downpours

define its climate; showers are so sudden that

the umbrella is a regular accessory.

When Sir Stamford Raffles of the British East

India Company landed on its shores in 1819,

Singapore was little more than a nondescript

fishing village. However, the town soon went on

to become a British stronghold.

After gaining independence from the British,

Singapore was incorporated into the Federation

of Malaysia in 1963, and went on to become a

wholly independent nation in 1965.

GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS

Singapore is a democratic republic that follows

the British parliamentary system, with a

government led by a prime minister. Politicalaffairs have long been dominated by the

PeoplesAction Party, which was led by

statesman Lee Kuan Yew from its inception in

the 1960s right up to the 1990s. Even with the

presence of an active opposition, a one-party

system has prevailed on the whole. While critics

deem it autocratic, the party is seen as having

been instrumental in helping Singapore become

the super-developed, modern nation that it is

today. Singaporeans give credit to Lee Kuan Yew

who has enjoyed unrivaled popularity as anation builder.

THE ECONOMY

Singapore has a highly successful and

transparent economy. Despite accusations of

the government having too many stakes in the

market, the economy is believed to be among

the most powerful in the world, chiefly because

of government efficiency, the exceptional

infrastructure, minimal corruption, and a skilled

workforce.

Singapores economy thriveson the electronics

and chemical sectors, as well as business and

financial services. Due to its strategic location

linking the mainland and the islands of

Southeast Asia with the rest of the world,

Singapore has the busiest port in the region.

Canned food, biotechnology, rubber processing,

and, lately, tourism have emerged as other key

revenue generating industries.

PEOPLES, LANGUAGES, AND RELIGIONS

Singapore is a country of immigrants, with a

multiracial ethnicity comprising mainly 77

percent Chinese, 14 percent Malay, and 7.6

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percent Indians, with a small number of

Western expatriates. Ethnic neighborhoods, the

norm in the 19th century, have given way to

government-provided public housing.

Old enclaves that have been left behind arenow used only for shopping or entertainment

that is unique to that particular community. The

cultural heritage of the British colonialists is also

deeply woven into the Singaporean lifestyle.

Malay, Chinese, English, and Tamil are all official

languages in Singapore. The unique Singlish

a patois that combines English with Malay and

Chinese words and intonationis understood

by most resident Singaporeans but rarely by

visitors.

Except for certain radical groups that are

banned, religion is freely practiced. Mahayana

Buddhism is the most common, followed by

Islam, Christianity, and Hinduism. Since the

racial riots of the 1960s, society has been

considerably harmonized, with the government

making every possible effort to keep it so.

CULTURE AND THE ARTS

The arts flourish in this diverse city. Chinese

opera and drama, Western classical music,

Indian classical dance forms, and English theater

are all part of local culture, and several theater

and dance ensembles keep Malay culture alive.

However, government censorship is rigid; each

performance needs a seal of approval before

being shown to the public. A plethora of

museums, festivals, and religious places

complement the visual arts.

Food is an integral part of Singaporean culture,

and eating out is considered the best way of

socializing. Although Chinese, Indian, and Malay

flavors dominate, international cuisine ranging

from African to Eastern European is also widely

available. Being a food haven has added to the

popularity of this gateway between the East

and the West, and it remains as alluring today

as it was centuries ago.