Singapore

BACKGROUND

Singapore is an independent republic with a parliamentary system of government. It has a total land area of about 648 square kilometers and is located at latitude 10 09, and longitude 1030 36, or approximately 137 km north of the Equator. Singapore has a population of 3.74 million (1997), of which 597,240 are in full time education in schools, post-secondary institutions and universities.

In 1998, the per capita GDP is S$36,532 or US$21,616 at the current exchange rate of US$1.00 = S$1.69. There are five major sectors in the Singapore economy, namely Financial and Business Services, Manufacturing, Commerce, Transport and Communications and Construction.