Total area: 693 sq km (267 sq mi)
Population (2009 est.): 4,657,542
Capital and largest city (2003 est.): Singapore - 3,438,600
Currency: Singapore dollar
Languages: Mandarin 35%, English 23%, Malay 14.1%, Hokkien 11.4%, Cantonese 5.7%, Teochew 4.9%, Tamil 3.2%, other Chinese dialects 1.8%
Religions: Buddhist 43%, Islam 15%, Taoist 9%, Hindu 4%, Catholic 5%, other Christian 10%, none 15%
Time zone: GMT+8; DST is not observed
Electricity: AC 230V/50Hz, square three-pin plug ("British" plugs) are in use; 110V outlets are available in many hotels
Singapore is a city state in Southeast Asia, comprising the main island of Singapore and another 62 islands and islets. The islands are situated off the southern coast of the Malay Peninsula, only 1 km (0.8) miles south of Malaysia between the South China Sea and the Indian Ocean. It is the smallest country in Southeast Asia and one of the few sovereign city-states in the world.
The country's terrain is mostly flat with low hills (the highest being 163 m / 545 ft above the sea level). The landscape is now almost entirely urban, as the last remains of rain forest or agriculture land have been converted for urban use. Because of the ongoing land-reclamation projects, the area of Singapore grows constantly.
