Languages
There are 4 official languages – Malay, Chinese (Mandarin),
Tamil and English. Malay is the national language and English
is the language of administration as well as the language
of education. The National Anthem is sung in the Malay language.
Geography and Climate
The Republic of Singapore, which is home to around 4.5 million
people, consists of the main island of Singapore, off the southern
tip of the Malay Peninsula between the South China Sea and the
Indian Ocean, and 58 nearby islands. Singapore has an equatorial
climate, which is warm and humid all year round. There is relatively
constant temperature, high humidity and heavy evening rainfall
particularly during the Northeast Monsoon from November to January.
Singapore’s daily average temperature is 26.7°C and a high daily
relative humidity of approximately 84.4%.
History
The area around Singapore was first inhabited between 2500
and 1500 B.C. British and Dutch merchants interested in spices
began visiting frequently and the trading post of Singapore,
which means ‘lion town’ was founded in 1819 by Sir Stamford
Raffles. It was made a separate Crown colony of Britain in 1946,
when the former colony of the Straits Settlements was dissolved.
Singapore attained full internal self-government in 1959, and
later joined Malaysia, Sabah (North Borneo), and Sarawak in
the Federation of Malaysia. It withdrew from the federation
on Aug. 9, 1965, and a month later proclaimed itself a republic.
Useful Links
Banks
Schools
- Australian International
School (Opened in 1993; Private school for those
between the ages of three and 19 years of age).
- Canadian International
School (Early Childhood Education up to pre-university
studies for international students; Canadian education system
whose diplomas are recognised worldwide).
- Chatsworth
International School (International curriculum leading
to IGCSE, American High School Diploma or A level including
an ESL programme starting from Kindergarten).
- Overseas Family School
(Pre-kindergarten to grade 12 international school catering
to expatriate families. Students may study towards the International
Baccalaureate Diploma programme or Cambridge examinations).
- Overseas Family
College (College program for expatriates having partnership
with California State University, Dominguez Hills).
- Singapore American
School (American Education for expatriate students
from pre-school up to grade 12; established in 1956 and is
accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges).
- Singapore
Japanese School (Japanese curriculum for primary
and secondary students).
- Tanglin Trust School Education
(3 to 16 year olds; British Education system).
International Associations
Social Clubs
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