Location:

Southeastern Asia, islands between Malaysia and Indonesia

Area:

647.5 sq km

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

Population:

3,531,600 (July 1999 est.)

Religions:

Buddhist (Chinese), Muslim (Malays), Christian, Hindu, Sikh, Taoist, Confucianist

Languages:

Chinese (official), Malay (official and national), Tamil (official), English (official)

Capital:

Singapore