Home    Personal    History    Activities   

 Reflections    Resources   Bookmark

  WebQuest

 

 

 

 

 

Singapore's Evolution

 

 

 

 

 

History    Geography    Multi-Ethnic People    Language

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                            History                                             

 

 

<back>

The history of Singapore is a blend of fact and fiction. Singapore was known as Temasek or Sea Town in the 7th Century. It was a prosperous trading post at that time.

In the 13th Century, Sang Nila Utama a member of the royal family was sailing in search of new site to build a new state. He caught sight of strange animal which he was told was Singa when arriving at the sandy shores of the islands. Singa is a Sanskrit word for lion. Sang Nila Utama felt that it was a good omen and so he decided to build his new state there. He then changed Temasek to Singapura (Lion City). It remained a possession of the Sultanate till 1819.

In 8th January 1819, Sir Stamford Raffles of the East India Company signed an agreement with the Sultan of Johor. It give the British right to establish a trading post on the island. Singapore became a free port. Raffles wrote, "Our object is not territory but trade; a great commercial emporium and a fulcrum whence we may extend our influence politically as circumstances may hereafter require." There is an original bronze statue of Sir Stamford Raffles to mark his first landing site on Singapore near the River. We may catch a beautiful view of Boat Quay and the Raffles Place skyline.

Singapore port remained the most busiest and vital to her economy till today.

 

 

  you may look at:http://www.sg/kids

              http://www.sg/flavour/profile,history

 

<back>

 

 

 

 

 

 

Geography

                                                                                                                      

  <back>

Singapore is a small nation. It has a total land area (including the offshore islets) of 647.8 sq kilometers or 250 miles. It is approximately 136.8 km (85miles) from the equator and that makes it very warm. The temperature ranges from 24 to 31 C with an average humidity of 84%. The humidity wreaks havoc with sensitive electronic equipment and photographs get stuck to their transparent plastic pockets in albums. Therefore light and cool clothing is suitable in this climate.

Rain falls all year round but is most abundant from November to January. It occurs mostly as sudden showers. So it is a good idea to carry an umbrella whenever you go out.

<back>

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Multi-Ethnic People

 

<back>

The jewel-like nation of Singapore consist of a mixture of Chinese, Malays, Indians and others. They are harmoniously melded into a strong community who share a spirited national identity as Singaporeans.

The Chinese make up 77.7% of the population, Malays 14.1%, Indians 7.1% and Others 1.11%. Children of mixed marriages are classified under their father's ethnic group. Eurasians (who are descendants of mixed blood between Europeans and locals) and Armenians, Arabs and Jews who make up the minorities are in the Others category.

 

<back>

 

 

 

 

 

 

Language

The four official languages are English, Chinese, Malay and Tamil. English is the language of science and technology and thus is the medium of instruction in schools. All students in the schools must be proficient in English and their mother tongue. The mother tongue is the language of their ethnic group which will transfers Asian culture and values to them.

 

you may look at http://www.integrityonline.com

<back>

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Home    Personal    History    Activities   

 Reflections    Resources      Bookmark 

WebQuest