新加坡全英文介绍

Singapore is a thriving independent city-state located just off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula. Since gaining independence from Malaysia in 1965, it has risen to become the business and financial center of Southeast Asia. Singapore's recent history is marked by rapid economic development, the likes of which have not been seen or experienced by any other city-state in the world. In addition to international banking, its major industries include shipping and shipbuilding, electronics, petroleum and oil refining. It has also become a major tourist destination for people throughout the region and beyond.The current population of Singapore is approximately 3.5 million people, 76% of whom are ethnically Chinese, 15% Malay and 6% Indian. Reflecting the cultural diversity is a similar diversity of religious belief and practice including Buddhists, Muslims, Christians and Hindus among others.Singapore occupies approximately 620 square kilometers of land, most of which is made up of one island which bears the same name. Two causeways in the north and west link the island with peninsular Malaysia across the Johor Straits.The major languages spoken in Singapore include English, Malay, Mandarin and Tamil, however various dialects of Chinese can be heard everywhere as can "Singlish," Singaporeans' own unique version of English which has been described by some as a dialect in and of itself and which combines shortened or cropped forms of English words and expressions with Malay words and Chinese endings. Just type Singlish to any search engine for examples. Singaporeans also tend to take the use of the acronym to entirely new levels, seemingly able to break down the names of almost all places, institutions, positions, departments and concepts into two- or three-letter form. For example, Singapore's highways are all identified by TLAs (three letter acronyms): PIA (Pan-Island Expressway), BKE (Bukit Timah Expressway), KJE (Kranji Expressway), AYE (Ayer Rajah Expressway), ECP (East Coast Parkway), TPE (Tampines Expressway) and CTE (Central Expressway). However, communication should pose no serious problems for anyone who can speak English as it is widely spoken, albeit in varying degrees, and is the language of instruction in most educational institutions and the official language of government and business.The weather never changes. This may not be entirely true as many locals will assure you, and the temperature does tend to drop slightly during the rainy season which falls between November and January. However, with daytime highs ranging only between about 30 and 33°C throughout the year and with high humidity levels, it remains sufficiently hot and muggy for most people's taste year-round. Add to this the fact that the necessity of air-conditioning makes indoor temperatures feel frigid by comparison and the unavoidableneed for most people to pass constantly between the two extremes, and the result is that Singapore feels moderately uncomfortable at best. Evenings however usually provide relief and can be quite pleasant, especially when it's breezy.Singapore features world class dining, shopping, hotels, parks, gardens and entertainment among its many attractions. However, in recent years it has earned the dubious distinction but rather unfounded reputation of offering its visitors only two alternatives, eating and shopping. And indeed if you confine yourself to the Orchard Road area and the center of town in general where most of the major hotels, restaurants and department stores are located, you may tend to agree. Starbucks, HMV, Outback Steakhouse, Nike andhigh-priced Japanese department stores are to be found in abundance there. Be sure to bring along plenty of spare cash and your credit card for a good time. Some westerners seeking a glimpse of "exotic Asia" are often therefore disappointed for this very reason. However, if you're willing to venture out of the center of town, dig just a bit deeper and look in the right places, you will certainly find that Singapore has some much more lively, colorful, fascinating, and yes, perhaps even exotic things to offer. Places like Little India, Chinatown and Arab Street, to name just a few of the more highly publicized ones, with their temples, mosques, traditional shop houses and architecture, and food stalls provide a sense of the past and a feel for the diversity that characterizes modern-day Singapore.Singapore may not be every bit as clean and orderly as many people believe, but it certainly is every bit as safe. You can walk around alone at night and feel safe, which is hardly a claim you can probably make back home. This is not to say that crime doesn't exist, as is popularized by the anti-crime slogan "Low crime doesn't mean no crime" - it's just rare. But... there's one precaution to take seriously - petty theft of articles left out in the open. Examples which can be described first- or second-hand among the expat community are a handbag in a shopping cart, a handphone on a countertop, unattended laptop computers on tables, backpacks in a chair, cashcards, and an unlocked bicycle. It seems that breaking in (e.g. breaking glass, doors, locks, etc.), although it exists, is less common than the lifting of open and unattended articles. Do not leave belongings unattended, or keep them hidden to avoid temptation.Efficiency in Singapore is world renowned, but there is a caveat. When trying to do something systems are set up to handle, i.e. a "normal" thing, you will find the system pleasantly efficient. When trying to do something unusual, you will likely receive "cannot". This may be the result of someone unsure whether it can be done, or unwilling to take the risk of being blamed if it shouldn't bedone in the way you ask, hence the safest answer "cannot". Likewise, customer relations may seem abrupt here. A favorite response it seems to a customer complaint is to blame the customer - if the customer had done it right, the problem would never have occurred. If you receive "cannot", or blame, politely wait until the rebuttal is done, then repeat your request without arguing back, and eventually you might see a lightening up, and help. Or else you'll just have to try somewhere else.。