Asia > South-Eastern Asia > Singapore > Singapore Geography Profile

Singapore: Singapore Geography Profile

2015/02/17

The Country

Singapore Island and a number of smaller adjacent islands make up the country. They lie just north of the Equator at the tip of the Malay Peninsula. With an area of only 224 square miles (580 km2)—about the size of Chicago—Singapore is one of the smallest independent countries in Asia.

Singapore Island is separated from the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula by the narrow Johor Strait. To the south beyond Singapore Strait, the major link between the South China Sea and the Strait of Malacca, are islands of Indonesia. Singapore Island is generally low-lying and flat; its few hills reach less than 600 feet (180 m) above sea level. Because of the equatorial location, Singapore's climate is tropical. High temperatures and humidity prevail, and there is almost daily rainfall.

The City

On the southern coast of the island is the densely settled city of Singapore, its inhabitants crowded into an area of less than 40 square miles (100 km). The city is a busy seaport and commercial center with docks, warehouses, and other harbor facilities lining much of the waterfront. Winding through the city is the narrow Singapore River, its banks often cluttered with barges that serve |ships anchored offshore.

The downtown area is near the mouth of the river. Many of the buildings here are modern high-rises. Wide avenues enclose shopping areas, parks, and attractive squares. Hotels and clubs along Beach Road face the harbor, and tall apartment buildings are visible in many areas. Of interest are the Botanical Gardens, noted for tropical plants; the National Museum, with exhibits on Malayan and Indonesian culture; and several large amusement districts with theaters and other types of entertainment facilities.

Location:

Southeastern Asia, islands between Malaysia and Indonesia

Geographic coordinates:

1 22 N, 103 48 E

Map references:

Southeast Asia

Area

Total:

697 sq km

Comparison to the world:

192

Land:

687 sq km

Water:

10 sq km

Area comparative:

slightly more than 3.5 times the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries Total:

0 km

Land boundaries Note:

Coastline

Value:

193 km

Note:

Maritime claims

Territorial sea:

3 nm

Exclusive economic zone:

within and beyond territorial sea, as defined in treaties and practice

Climate:

tropical; hot, humid, rainy; two distinct monsoon seasons - Northeastern monsoon (December to March) and Southwestern monsoon (June to September); inter-monsoon - frequent afternoon and early evening thunderstorms

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

Natural resources:

fish, deepwater ports

Land use

Kind:

arable land

Percentage:

1,47%

Year:

2005

Kind:

permanent crops

Percentage:

1,47%

Kind:

other

Percentage:

97,06%

Irrigated land

Value:

Total renewable water resources

Value:

0.6 cu km

Year:

1975

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

Total:

0.19 cu km/yr (45%/51%/4%)

Per capital:

44 cu m/yr

Natural hazards:

Environment - current issues:

industrial pollution; limited natural fresh water resources; limited land availability presents waste disposal problems; seasonal smoke/haze resulting from forest fires in Indonesia

Environment - international agreements

Party to:

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution

Signed but not ratified:

none of the selected agreements

Geography note:

focal point for Southeast Asian sea routes