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Singapore used to contain many different plant and animal species, but most of them no longer are seen on the island due to colonisation. Singapore once had thick rainforests, but they were  cut down as it became British trading post. Settlers needed room to grow crops such as nutmeg, pepper, or cloves. Forests now only cover the central areas of the island, and yet it has a much more swampy geography near the coastline. Tigers, boars, mouse deer, and anteaters were once a common sight in Singapore, but not anymore. Many species have become extinct in Singapore due to urban development. Now monkeys, squirrels, and civets are common sights in Singapore. Monitor lizards, pythons, and cobras are also fairly common.

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Singapore is a small and relatively warm country. Located off the tip of Malaysia, Singapore consists of Singapore Island and 50 other islands. Singapore Island accounts for 93 percent of the land in Singapore. Singapore is a city-state, so there are no rural areas. It is relatively flat, and has a highest elevation of 538 feet. Singapore’s climate is similar throughout the year. It has high humidity and temperatures from from 70 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit year round. However, rainfall can range from 7 to 10 inches per month.

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Singapore has four official languages. One of them, Malay, became one of the four official languages in 1959. Malays, and ethnic group, were Singapore’s first inhabitant. Chinese is another official language. Different dialects include Hokkien, Teochew, and Cantonese, but Mandarin has become standard. The third official language is English.  English is the language of administration, or the language used by the government. It is used widely in science, technology and tourism, among other things. The final official language is Tamil.

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Government has had an impact on language in Singapore. Official languages are English, Malay, Tamil, and Chinese. Singapore’s government encourages bilingualism and use of Mandarin Chinese. However, the government advises against use of Singlish, a combination of English, Malay, Tamil, and Chinese. Singapore has an extremely high national literacy rate of 96 percent. Primary education is free, and students are required to learn English and one of the other official languages. There are four universities and 5 polytechnic schools in Singapore.

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Singapore has many arts. Many of the styles were formed by combining different forms. The Chinese brought Chinese calligraphy, sculpting, and porcelain. For example, the Chinese brought the Nanyang style of paining to Singapore. The earliest documented form of Nanyang were Bali paintings by the Chinese. The first Singapore art exhibition was in 1950. Massive appreciation of the exhibition caused commercialism in art to bloom. New experimental art started in the 80’s. Today, Singapore’s art contains the traditions and symbolism of the four main ethnicities of Singapore. Singapore is aiming to be the main social and artistic hub of Asia, and it's arts have evolved beautifully to encompass the entire world. However, as the art has become more multicultural, it still retains national artistic identity.

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Singapore has many arts. Architecture in Singapore is diverse. There are colonial style buildings, Chinese shop housing, Malaysian stilt-houses, Indian bungalows and skyscrapers.

In common traditional Indian dances, hand motions are a form of sign language. Chinese operas and Asian and U.S. films are also common.

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There are many greetings throughout and Singapore. Chinese shake hands and bow to elders. Malays greet with salaam, in which both people bring palms together, then touch palm to his or her heart. Indians join palms at prayer position, raise hands in front of face, then bow slightly. English greetings are used for people of different ethnicities. Friends and relatives address each other by their given name. Auntie and uncle are used for older generation. Chinese names begin with the family’s name, then the given name. Some have adopted Western names, however. Malays have no surname, but have given name followed by father's given name. Indians have either the same as Malays, or given name followed by the family clan name.

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Many families try to eat together, but work can interfere. Most sit around tables but Malays or Indians might sit on the floor or mats for festive times or traditional meals. Individual bowls of rice are set out, and people self-serve meats and vegetables.  People take several helpings instead of one big one. Chinese use chopsticks, Indians and Malays use their hands or utensils. Singaporeans dine out often, especially if both spouses are employed. Service charges are included in billing, and tipping is unusual. Restaurants are prepared to serve to people of all religions.

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Singapore has no official religion and their constitution guarantees freedom of worship. Buddhism, Islam, Christianity, Taoism, and Muslim are  common religions. Hinduism is main Indian religion in Singapore. Christianity is the main European religion.

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Singapore has freedom of religion and diverse religions. Slightly under half of the population are Buddhist or Taoist. Buddhists strive to do good deeds that offset negative karma. Most Malays are Muslim. 18% of the total Singaporean population is Christian and 16% are atheist. Open discussion of religion is common in Singapore. For certain family matters, religions can make up laws for their members.

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Singapore was a British colony with three other countries known as straits settlements. Many immigrants encouraged to move there. The largest ethnic group was Chinese. When granted self-rule, Mr. lee became first prime minister. Singapore became part of Malaysia for a short time. Malaysians felt Singapore would suck wealth from the mainland, and eventually expelled them from the nation. When Lee announced independence it was with tears, not joy. Country has many immigrants, and 30% of population is on temporary work permits. Government officials are slightly paranoid in Singapore, and require military service and until recently required bomb shelters in homes.

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Britain colonized Singapore in 1819. Japan invaded in WWII. At the end of the war, Singapore became a British crown colony. Singapore was granted self rule in 1959. Singapore was part of Malaysia until 1965, when it became independent. The first prime minister was elected in 1959 and served for 31 years. He was named Lee Kuan Yew. He stressed practicality over ideology, and understood the importance of social values. He was succeeded by Goh Chok Tong, who was succeeded by Lee hsien Loong, Yew’s eldest son. Lee is the leader of the People's Action Party, Singapore’s largest political party. People’s Actions Party has shaped Singapore’s economy, but has been accused of silencing dissenters. In 2011, Singapore’s workers party won 6 seats in parliament, the greatest number  of opposition in parliament. Tony Tan was also elected president. In 2015 the People’s Actions Party regained control. Lee Kuan Yew died in 2015. Lee helped Singapore become a powerful nation and help them earn freedom. Another important historical event occurred in September 2015 when Singapore was plagued by air pollution from Indonesian islands. Schools were closed and people were advised to stay inside.

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Singapore has had many currencies throughout the years. The first documented currency was from Chinese merchants. Many Singaporeans used Spanish or Mexican currency. In the 18th and 19th centuries, paper currency started gaining popularity. The Strait's dollar was the official currency until 1939.  Malaya and British Borneo Dollar replaced the Malayan dollar in 1953. Once Singapore gained independence in 1965, the Board of Commissioners of Currency started the Singaporean dollar. The Singaporean dollar was interchangeable with Malaysian dollar until 1973. In 1985, Singapore started its open market. In 2002 the Board of Commissioners of Currency was disbanded.

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Singapore’s highly successful economy is a free market. Singapore has the third highest GDP per capita in the world, and has an extremely low unemployment rate. The country’s economy relies on exports, especially technology. Since the global economy crashed in 2009, Singapore's economy has been growing steadily. It has slowed recently, but the growth is still existent. Singapore’s government has been trying to strengthen the economy by decreasing the need for foreign labor and increasing Singaporean wages.

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The president serves a six year term in Singapore, but it is a mostly ceremonial position. The current President is Halimah Yacob, Singapore’s first female president. She was sworm in September 14, 2017. However, many people are angry that all other candidates were disqualified due to new election rules. People believe not holding elections goes against Singapore’s constitution and the moral code of humanity. The Prime Minister is Hsien Loong, and has served since 2011. Loong is the main leader of Singapore. The Chief Justice of Singapore is Sundaresh Menon. Justices are appointed by the President after consultation with the Prime Minister and Chief Justice. Justices in the supreme courts serve for life. Below is a photo of Halimah Yacob.

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Singapore is a representative democracy. It is lead by the prime minister and president, although the presidential is mostly ceremonial. Singapore holds elections for the prime minister, president, and spots in parliament. Singapore has many political parties, the largest being the People’s Actions Party. Singapore has three branches of government; executive, legislative, and judicial. The executive branch contains the president, the prime minister, and the president’s cabinet. Parliament is the legislative branch, and makes laws. There are 89 seats in parliament. The judicial branch is the court system. The highest court in Singapore is the Court of Appeal, and the next highest is the High Court. Both are supreme courts.