SINGAPORE

TOPOGRAPHY

Singapore Island is mostly low-lying, green, undulating country with a small range of hills at the center. The highest point of the island is Bukit Timah (166 m/545 ft). There are sections of rainforest in the center and large mangrove swamps along the coast, which has many inlets, particularly in the north and west. Singapore's harbor is wide, deep, and well protected.

FLORA AND FAUNA

Singapore Island is mostly denuded, the dense tropical forest that originally covered it being mostly cleared. There is some rain forest in the central area of the island, however, as well as extensive mangrove swamps along the coast. Urban development has limited animal life.

ETHNIC GROUPS

The people of Singapore are predominantly of Chinese origin. In a 2002 report, about 77% were ethnic Chinese (most of them, however, born in Singapore or in neighboring Malaysia). Some 14% were Malays; 8% were Indians (including Pakistanis, Bangladeshis, and Sri Lankans); and 1.4% were of other varied ethnic origins.

LANGUAGES

There are four official languages: Chinese (Mandarin dialect), Malay, English, and Tamil. English is the principal medium of government and is widely used in commerce. By 1987, under a government mandate, English was made the primary language of the school system. Malay is the national language.

DEPENDENCIES

Singapore has no territories or colonies.

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