Overview
Singapore is one of the major technological and trading hubs in Southeast Asia. Ruled by the People's Action Party (PAP) since it gained independence in 1965, Singapore has grown and become one of the most developed countries in the region. Due to its prime location along the Singapore Straits, Singapore attracted people from Asia and all over the world. This resulted in the a widely diverse population. As the majority of this population is of Asian descent, the culture in Singapore is of a rather conservative nature as compared to western countries. This conservative culture is evident in the media. When the PAP first came into power headed by now Senior Minister Lee Kwan Yew, they saw to it that all local television and radio stations and the press came under government control. The media in Singapore is highly censored. Content that is racially, religiously or morally sensitive is highly censored or in some cases, outrightly banned. Any politically sensitive content criticizing the government or members of the Lee family is also highly censored and offenders often face arrests and expensive defamation suits that run in the thousands. [CS-1]
Background
Singapore is a small country, measuring at about 772km2 with a population of over 5 million people. Located along the Singapore Straits in between Malaysia and Indonesia, Singapore founded by Sir Stamford Raffles in 1819 as a trading post for the East India Company. In 1826 it became a British Straits Settlement. Singapore enjoyed huge success as a major trading hub in its early years, attracting merchants and families from all over the world. After World War 2, Singapore became a part of Malaysia before finally gaining independence in 1965. Modern day Singapore is known to the world for its vast wealth, clean and green streets, ethnic diversity, rich foods, unique English slang also known as Singlish and its strict fines and laws. [CS-1]
Singapore has a rich economy. Known as one of the Four Asian Tigers, Singapore has earned its standing among South Korea, Hong Kong and Taiwan. The economy depends heavily on industry and service. It is the busiest transshipment port in the world. Acting as a stopover for goods and people wishing to travel to other countries in the region. However as Singapore has no resources of its own, it relies on its vast population for manpower as its major resource.
Singapore's rich economy continues to attract people from all over the world even today. Its vast multicultural population consists of mainly Chinese, Malays and Indians. Each of these ethnic groups still speak their own mother tongue, however most Singaporeans are multilingual and are able to speak an array of other different languages or dialects. These dialects have intermingled with the English language creating a unique local dialect commonly known as Singlish. Like the language, the food in Singapore also has its own unique distinct flavor that differs noticly from the original dishes. Food plays a big part of Singaporean culture. A small minority of Singaporeans are Peranakan, a mixture of the local races. They embody the culture of all the races. Most Peranakans are fair skinned and look closer to the Chinese or Caucasions. [CS-1] They are well known for their spicy foods and their unique blend of curries, food that is closer to Malay and Indian cuisine. They are also known to be trilingual, fluent in English, their mother tongue depending on their descent and their creole Peranakan Language.
Singapore is well known as the clean and green country with a low crime rate and a high death penalty. The government imposes heavy fines of up to the hundreds for littering and prison sentences for vandalism, often accompanied by caning. In Singapore, crime has a high price. Depending on the offense, crimes are punished by fines, prison sentences, caning or in severe cases, death.
Singapore has a rich economy. Known as one of the Four Asian Tigers, Singapore has earned its standing among South Korea, Hong Kong and Taiwan. The economy depends heavily on industry and service. It is the busiest transshipment port in the world. Acting as a stopover for goods and people wishing to travel to other countries in the region. However as Singapore has no resources of its own, it relies on its vast population for manpower as its major resource.
Singapore's rich economy continues to attract people from all over the world even today. Its vast multicultural population consists of mainly Chinese, Malays and Indians. Each of these ethnic groups still speak their own mother tongue, however most Singaporeans are multilingual and are able to speak an array of other different languages or dialects. These dialects have intermingled with the English language creating a unique local dialect commonly known as Singlish. Like the language, the food in Singapore also has its own unique distinct flavor that differs noticly from the original dishes. Food plays a big part of Singaporean culture. A small minority of Singaporeans are Peranakan, a mixture of the local races. They embody the culture of all the races. Most Peranakans are fair skinned and look closer to the Chinese or Caucasions. [CS-1] They are well known for their spicy foods and their unique blend of curries, food that is closer to Malay and Indian cuisine. They are also known to be trilingual, fluent in English, their mother tongue depending on their descent and their creole Peranakan Language.
Singapore is well known as the clean and green country with a low crime rate and a high death penalty. The government imposes heavy fines of up to the hundreds for littering and prison sentences for vandalism, often accompanied by caning. In Singapore, crime has a high price. Depending on the offense, crimes are punished by fines, prison sentences, caning or in severe cases, death.
