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Brief Paper
SINGAPORE
Though physically small, Singapore is an economic giant. It has been Southeast Asia's most
modern city for over a century. The city blends Malay, Chinese, Arab, Indian and English
cultures and religions. Its unique ethnic tapestry affords visitors a wide array of sightseeing and
culinary opportunities from which to choose. A full calendar of traditional festivals and holidays
celebrated throughout the year adds to its cultural appeal. In addition, Singapore offers luxury
hotels, delectable cuisine and great shopping! The island nation of the Republic of Singapore lies
one degree north of the Equator in Southern Asia. The country includes the island of Singapore
and 58 or so smaller islands. Because of its efficient and determined government, Singapore has
become a flourishing country that excels in trade and tourism and is a model to developing
nations. The capital city, also called Singapore, covers about a third of the area of the main
island.
Located at the tip of the Malay Peninsula, Singapore's tropical climate welcomes both leisure and
business travelers year round. The island republic's excellent infrastructure enables visitors to
enjoy its many sites and attractions in a safe, clean and green environment. Award winning
Changi Airport provides airlinks to major cities around the world. The train and subway systems
are clean, fast and efficient. In addition, its state-of-the-art cruise terminal has established
Singapore as one of the premier cruising centers of South East Asia and an exciting port of call
The Government in Singapore is modeled after the Westminster system, with 3 separate
branches: the Legislature or Parliament, the Executive and the Judiciary. Parliament makes the
model, where the Prime Minister of Singapore is the Head of Government and the President of
Being unicameral, the Parliament of Singapore has only one House. The Members of Parliament
(MPs) are voted in at regular General Elections. The leader of the political party that secures the
majority of seats in Parliament will be asked by the President to become the Prime Minister
(PM). The PM will then select his Ministers from elected MPs to form the Cabinet.
When the new Parliament meets for the first time after a General Election, the Speaker will be
elected. The "life" of each Parliament is 5 years from the date of its first meeting or Sitting. A
Singapore's progress over the past three decades has been remarkable, yet the island has not been
overwhelmed by development. Visitors will discover a wealth of historical treasures from the
past, in the beauty of older buildings, values and traditions that have survived in the face of
Lacking any noteworthy natural resources, Singapore's early prosperity was based on a vigorous
free trade policy, put in place in 1819 when Sir Stamford Raffles first established it as a British
trading post. Later, mass industrialization bolstered the economy, and today the state boasts the
world's second busiest port after Rotterdam, minimal unemployment, and a super efficient
infrastructure. Almost the entire population lives in upscale new apartments, and the average per
capita income is over US$12,000. Singapore is a clean, safe place to visit, its amenities are
second to none and its public places are smoke-free and hygienic.
Forming the core of downtown Singapore is the Colonial District. Each surrounding enclave has
its own distinct flavor, from the aromatic spice stores of Little India, to the tumbledown
backstreets of Chinatown, where it is still possible to find calligraphers and fortune tellers, or the
Arab Quarter, whose cluttered stores sell fine cloths and silks.