SINGAPUR
GEOGRAPHY
LEARN ABOUT
ITS DIFFERENT
ECOSYSTEMS,
ECONOMIC
ACTIVITIES,
CULTURE,
TRADITIONS,
PROBLEMS,
SOLUTIONS
AND MORE
PREDOMINANT ECOSYSTEMS
1.RAINFORESTS: ALTHOUGH
SINGAPORE IS HIGHLY URBANIZED, IT
STILL RETAINS AREAS OF
RAINFOREST, ESPECIALLY IN NATURE
RESERVES SUCH AS THE BUKIT
TIMAH NATURE RESERVE.
2. MANGROVES: MANGROVES ARE
FOUND ON THE NORTH AND WEST
COAST OF THE ISLAND, PROVIDING
HABITATS FOR MANY AQUATIC AND
TERRESTRIAL SPECIES
3.WETLANDS: AREAS SUCH AS
SUNGEI BULOH WETLAND PARK ARE
IMPORTANT FOR THE
CONSERVATION OF MIGRATORY
BIRDS AND AQUATIC LIFE.
4.MARINE AND COASTAL
ECOSYSTEMS: SINGAPORE HAS
CORAL REEFS AND SEAGRASS BEDS
IN SOME AREAS OF ITS COASTAL
WATERS, SUCH AS IN THE
SOUTHERN ISLANDS.
FLORA, FAUNA AND TERRITORY
Singapore is an island located 137 km north of the equator, without
notable geographical features. More than 60% of its territory is
urbanized, with the rest destined for parks and green areas. It consists
of a main island and 64 small islands, bordered to the north by
Malaysia and to the southwest by Indonesia. Its climate is equatorial,
without seasons, with constant temperatures between 23 and 32 °C,
high humidity and frequent rains.
FLORA: Singapore's original vegetation consisted mainly of tropical forests,
but urbanization has reduced much of it. Today, there are significant efforts to
reforest and maintain green areas. Some notable species include:
Dipterocarps, Orchids and Angsana trees
FAUNA: Despite its small size and urbanization, Singapore is home to a
surprising diversity of fauna: Primates, Birds, Reptiles, Small mammals,
Marine life
NATURAL
RESOURCES
SINGAPORE LACKS RESERVES OF
NATURAL RESOURCES OR FERTILE
LAND. FOR EXAMPLE, A STUDY BY "LA
REPUBLICA" REVEALS THAT SINGAPORE
HAS NO NATURAL RESOURCES, NOT
EVEN CLEAN WATER. IT RELIES ON
MALAYSIA TO SUPPLY 60% OF ITS
WATER.
THE SCARCE LAND IS A HIGHLY VALUED
RESOURCE, PRIMARILY USED FOR
CONSTRUCTION AND URBAN
DEVELOPMENT.
MAIN ECONOMIC
ACTIVITIES
SINGAPORE'S ECONOMY IS BASED ON A DEVELOPMENT MODEL
CENTERED ON KNOWLEDGE AND INNOVATION. DESPITE ITS
LIMITATIONS IN NATURAL RESOURCES, THE COUNTRY HAS MANAGED
TO DIVERSIFY ITS ECONOMY AND BECOME A TOP FINANCIAL AND
COMMERCIAL HUB.
SERVICES: THE SERVICE SECTOR IS THE BACKBONE OF SINGAPORE'S
ECONOMY, REPRESENTING A LARGE PART OF ITS GDP. THE MAIN SUB-
SECTORS INCLUDE:
FINANCE: SINGAPORE IS ONE OF THE LEADING FINANCIAL CENTERS
IN ASIA, WITH A HIGHLY DEVELOPED BANKING AND INSURANCE
SECTOR.
TRADE: ITS STRATEGIC LOCATION MAKES IT AN IMPORTANT HUB FOR
INTERNATIONAL TRADE.
TRANSPORT AND LOGISTICS: SINGAPORE’S PORT IS ONE OF THE
LARGEST AND MOST EFFICIENT IN THE WORLD, MAKING IT A KEY
NODE IN GLOBAL SUPPLY CHAINS.
TOURISM: TOURISM IS A GROWING INDUSTRY, THANKS TO ITS
TOURIST ATTRACTIONS, MODERN INFRASTRUCTURE, AND SAFETY.
MANUFACTURING: WHILE MANUFACTURING HAS LOST SOME
IMPORTANCE COMPARED TO THE SERVICE SECTOR, IT REMAINS A
KEY INDUSTRY. SINGAPORE SPECIALIZES IN HIGH-TECH PRODUCTION,
SUCH AS ELECTRONICS, CHEMICALS, AND PHARMACEUTICALS.
OIL:DESPITE
OIL:DESPITE NOT HAVING ITS OWN LARGE RESERVES, SINGAPORE IS
A MAJOR OIL REFINING CENTER AND A HUB FOR PETROLEUM
PRODUCT TRADING.
BETWEEN 2016 AND 2019 ALONE, THE ECONOMY GREW AT AN
ANNUAL RATE OF 3.1%, CONTRIBUTING 70% TO THE GDP.
POPULATION AND
SOCIAL CLASES
SINGAPORE CURRENTLY
HAS A POPULATION OF
5,917,600, OF WHICH
4,149,300 ARE
SINGAPOREANS, 538,600
ARE PERMANENT
RESIDENTS, AND
1,768,300 ARE FOREIGN
WORKERS. LIFE
EXPECTANCY IS 83
YEARS ON AVERAGE. THE
POPULATION DENSITY IS
8,058 PEOPLE PER KM²,
AND AN IMPORTANT
FACT IS THAT THERE ARE
337 CRIMES PER 100,000
INHABITANTS.
UPPER OR ELITE CLASS: INCLUDES
ENTREPRENEURS, HIGH-LEVEL EXECUTIVES,
AND WEALTHY FAMILIES. THESE PEOPLE HAVE
ACCESS TO GREAT WEALTH AND PRIVILEGES
AND OFTEN INFLUENCE THE BUSINESS AND
POLITICAL WORLD.
MIDDLE CLASS: REPRESENTS MOST OF THE
POPULATION AND CONSISTS OF
PROFESSIONALS, WHITE-COLLAR WORKERS,
SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS, AND PUBLIC
SERVANTS. SINGAPORE’S MIDDLE CLASS
GENERALLY HAS A GOOD LEVEL OF EDUCATION,
ACCESS TO HIGH-QUALITY PUBLIC HOUSING,
AND A RELATIVELY COMFORTABLE LIFESTYLE.
WORKING CLASS:INCLUDES BLUE-COLLAR
EMPLOYEES, SUCH AS FACTORY, SERVICE, AND
CONSTRUCTION WORKERS. MANY OF THESE
WORKERS ARE TEMPORARY IMMIGRANTS
LIVING IN MORE MODEST CONDITIONS.
LOW-INCOME MIGRANT WORKERS: A SEPARATE
CATEGORY WITHIN THE WORKING CLASS, MADE
UP MAINLY OF MIGRANTS FROM NEIGHBORING
COUNTRIES SUCH AS INDIA, BANGLADESH, AND
CHINA, WHO OFTEN WORK IN CONSTRUCTION
OR DOMESTIC SERVICES WITH RELATIVELY LOW
WAGES AND HARSHER WORKING CONDITIONS.
CULTURE AND
TRADITIONS
SINGAPORE’S CULTURE IS A BLEND OF
CHINESE, BRITISH, MALAY, AND INDIAN
INFLUENCES, AS NEARLY 70% OF ITS
INHABITANTS ARE OF CHINESE DESCENT.
THE COUNTRY IS HIGHLY DIVERSE
CULTURALLY, THANKS TO SIGNIFICANT
IMMIGRATION, WHICH HAS ALSO DRIVEN
POPULATION AND ECONOMIC GROWTH.
MANY CHINESE TRADITIONS ARE
CELEBRATED, SUCH AS THE CHINESE
NEW YEAR, PONGAL (A HARVEST
FESTIVAL), AND THE ANNUAL DRAGON
BOAT FESTIVAL TO SAY SOME EXAMPLES.
LANGUAGE AND
RELIGIONS
THE OFFICIAL LANGUAGE OF SINGAPORE IS MALAY, ALTHOUGH
ENGLISH, MANDARIN, AND TAMIL ARE ALSO WIDELY USED.
THE MAIN RELIGIONS IN SINGAPORE ARE:
BUDDHISM: THE MAJORITY RELIGION, PRACTICED BY AROUND
30-35% OF THE POPULATION, MAINLY AMONG THE CHINESE
COMMUNITY.
CHRISTIANITY: REPRESENTS ABOUT 20% OF THE POPULATION,
WITH A MIX OF PROTESTANT AND CATHOLIC DENOMINATIONS.
ISLAM: PRACTICED BY AROUND 14-15% OF THE POPULATION,
MAINLY AMONG THE MALAY COMMUNITY AND SOME INDIANS.
TAOISM: ABOUT 8-10% OF THE POPULATION, MAINLY AMONG
THE CHINESE.
HINDUISM: FOLLOWED BY ABOUT 5-6% OF THE POPULATION,
MAINLY AMONG THE INDIAN COMMUNITY.
NON-RELIGIOUS: A SIGNIFICANT PERCENTAGE, AROUND 20%,
IDENTIFIES AS NON-RELIGIOUS.
Economic problems
Despite being one of the most open and
developed economies in the world,
Singapore faces challenges such as low
productivity growth and high income
inequality. Although GDP per capita is
high, many foreign workers, who make up
about 40% of the workforce, live in
precarious conditions and without
adequate labor rights. Additionally,
reliance on unskilled foreign labor has
been criticized for limiting sustainable
economic growth.
Social problems
Rapid urban development has led to a decline in local
biodiversity. However, the government has implemented
initiatives such as the Green Plan, which seeks to
increase green areas and promote sustainable
development. In addition, climate change represents a
significant challenge, given that Singapore is vulnerable
to extreme weather events.
Political problems
Economic inequality is a critical
issue. While citizens enjoy high
standards of living, immigrants
face difficult working conditions
and restrictions on their rights.
Immigration policy is restrictive,
which worsens the situation for
these workers.
Political problems Singapore
maintains an authoritarian political
system with limitations on freedom
of expression and political
opposition. This has led to criticism
of the country's lack of democracy
and human rights.
Environmental problems
Rapid urban development has led to a
decrease in local biodiversity. However, the
government has implemented initiatives like
the Green Plan, which seeks to increase green
areas and promote sustainable development.
Climate change also poses a significant
challenge, as Singapore is vulnerable to
extreme weather events.
SOLUTIONS TO
ECONOMIC
PROBLEMS
Promoting productivity through innovation
and digitization: Singapore could boost its
productivity by investing more in research and
development, promoting automation, and
digitizing key industries.
Diversifying the economy: Developing new
economic sectors, such as the green economy
and clean technologies
Improving working conditions for foreign
workers: Implementing policies that
guarantee fair labor rights for foreign workers,
including adequate wages.
Ongoing training and education for citizens:
Continuous education and training programs
would help local citizens adapt to new
technological industries
SOLUTIONS TO
SOCIAL PROBLEMS
Labor reforms for immigrants: To address
inequality, the government could implement
labor reforms that grant immigrants more
rights, such as access to healthcare, better
housing conditions, and legal protection.
Improving social integration: Programs that
promote the integration of immigrants into
society, such as civic education, access to
community programs, and support for cultural
inclusion, would help mitigate social tensions.
Wealth redistribution: Implementing more
progressive tax policies, with higher taxes for
large corporations and the wealthy, would help
fund social welfare programs and reduce
inequality.
SOLUTIONS TO
POLITICAL PROBLEMS
Greater political openness:
Expanding space for political
opposition and ensuring freedom of
expression would create a more
democratic and transparent
environment. Reforms could allow
for greater political participation
without compromising stability.
Strengthening democratic
institutions: Creating more robust
mechanisms for citizen
participation, such as popular
consultations or electoral process
reforms, would improve the
government’s legitimacy.
Protection of human rights:
Implementing policies to protect
civil and political rights for all
residents, including migrants, and
strengthening institutions
responsible for overseeing human
rights.
SOLUTIONS TO
ENVIROMENTAL PROBLEMS
Expanding the Green Plan: Continue the Green Plan
but expand its goals, promoting more biodiversity
conservation policies and developing protected areas
within the urban environment.
Reducing emissions and climate adaptation:
Singapore could lead in adopting renewable energy,
such as solar power, and improve energy efficiency in
its buildings and infrastructure.
Promote the circular economy: Encourage the circular
economy through incentives for recycling and resource
reuse, as well as implementing regulations to reduce
industrial and domestic waste.
