Singapore is a small city state, in Southeastern Asia, with Malaysia and Indonesia has the neighbors. Singapore is situated just off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula. To its North, linked by the causeway is Malaysia. It is about 137 km North of the Equator. Length wise it stretches 42 km, while width wise it is 23 km wide. Other than the mainland, there are 58 smaller offshore islets within Singapore's territorial waters. The total area of Singapore is 646 sq km. Pulau Tekong and Pulau Ubin are the biggest islands.
Singapore is blessed with a natural harbor and deep water anchorage on the Straits of Malacca, making it strategically significant for shipping on the sea route between Indian Ocean and South China Sea.
Singapore has a tropical and humid climate. Lying in the tropical zone, the country is always moist and faces heavy rainfall.
There are four seasons in Singapore and in terms of rainfall, the Northeast Monsoon and Southwest Monsoon are the important ones.
Singapore-Fact file
Location: Southeastern Asia, islands between Malaysia and Indonesia
Geographic coordinates: 1 22 N, 103 48 E
Map references: Southeast Asia
Area:
- Total: 647.5 sq km
- Land: 637.5 sq km
- Water: 10 sq km
Area -- comparative: slightly more than 3.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 193 km
Maritime claims
- Exclusive fishing zone: within and beyond territorial sea, as defined in treaties and practice
- Territorial sea: 3 km
Climate and Terrain
- Climate: tropical; hot, humid, rainy; no pronounced rainy or dry seasons; thunderstorms occur on 40% of all days (67% of days in April)
- Terrain: lowland; gently undulating central plateau contains water catchment area and nature preserve
Elevation extremes:
- Lowest point: Singapore Strait 0 m
- Highest point: Bukit Timah 166 m
Land use:
- Arable land: 2%
- Permanent crops: 6%
- Permanent pastures: NA%
- Forests and woodland: 5%
- Other: 87% (1993 est.)
