①Singapore is an independent city-state in southeastern Asia,consistingof one major island-the Singyapore island-and more than 50 smallislands,located off the southern tip of Malay.The city of Singapore,the capitalof the country,is at the southeastern end of the Singapore Island; it is one of the most important port citiesand commercial centers of Southeast Asia.The total area of the republic is 0sq.km.
② Low一lying Singapore Island has no outstandingrelief (轮廓鲜明的)features.A central area of hills rises tothe maximum height of 176 m.The cou]ntr)r has a wet tropical climate,with anaverage annual temperature of 27.20℃.The average annual rainfall is 2.413 rnm, the wettest months are November throughJanuary.
③Singapore is governed under a constitution of 1959.A president,electedto a four-year term,is h ead of state,and a prime minister is head ofgovernment.The president used to be selected
by Parliament,but by 1991 constitutionalamendment (修正务垂) ,the president is now elected directlyby the people.rrhe Parliament is the law- body with its 81 memberspopularly elected.
④In the late 1980s the country had some 290 primary schools with 278,300pupils and 160 secondary schools with 200,200students.The main institutions ofhigher education are the National University of Singapore,several technicalcolleges,and a teachers college.
⑤Singapore has one of the highest standards of living of any country inAsia.In the late 1980s the gross domestic product was estimated at $23.7 billion,or $8,870 per person.The fishing industry iscentered on the port.of During,on southwestern Singapore Island.Industry hasgrown rapidly since the 1960s,and Singapore now produces a diversity ofgoods,including chemicals,electronic items, clothing, and processed foods, etc.Shipbuildingand petroleum refining are also important.