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 unavoidable