Chinese (official), Malay (official and national), Tamil (official), English (official)
Elevation:
highest point: Bukit Timah 166 m
lowest point: Singapore Strait 0 m
Climate:
tropical; hot, humid, rainy; two distinct monsoon seasons - Northeastern monsoon from December to March and Southwestern monsoon from June to September; inter-monsoon - frequent afternoon and early evening thunderstorms
Singapore is blessed with a highly developed and successful free-market economy, a remarkably open and corruption-free business environment, stable prices, and the fifth highest per capita GDP in the world. Exports, particularly in electronics and chemicals, and services are the main drivers of the economy. Mainly because of robust exports, especially electronic goods, the economy grew 10.1% in 2000. Forecasters, however, are projecting only 4%-6% growth in 2001 largely because of weaker global demand, especially in the US. The government promotes high levels of savings and investment through a mandatory savings scheme and spends heavily in education and technology. It also owns government-linked companies (GLCs) - particularly in manufacturing - that operate as commercial entities. As Singapore looks to a future increasingly marked by globalization, the country is positioning itself as the region's financial and high-tech hub.
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers over 1 year of age coming from infected areas. Certificates of vaccination are required from travellers over 1 year of age who, within the preceding 6 days, have been in or have passed through any country partly or wholly endemic for yellow fever. The countries and areas included in the endemic zones are considered as infected areas.
