There are four official languages in Singapore: Malay ( the national language ) Mandarin
Tamil
English
English is the language of business and administration, and
is widely spoken and understood.
Most Singaporeans are bilingual, and speak their mother tongue
as well as English.
Although geography has played a part in the success of
Singapore, its mainstay is its people. Lacking natural
resources, Singapore's strength is its hardworking, adaptable
and resilient population.
Singapore's
population Chinese 77 % of almost
four million comprises Singapore's population Malays 14 % of
almost four million comprises Singapore's population Indians 8 %
of almost four million comprises Singapore's population Eurasians 1 % of almost
four million comprises Singapore's population
people of other descent.
The original inhabitants were Malay fishermen, but after the
arrival of Sir Stamford Raffles and the establishment of a
British trading post, Singapore became a magnet that drew
hundreds of thousands of migrants and merchants. Seeking a
better life for themselves and their families, they came from
the southern provinces of China, Indonesia, India, Pakistan,
Ceylon and the Middle East. Though inter-marriages have taken
place over the years, each racial group within Singapore has
retained its own cultural identity while developing as an
integral part of Singapore community.
With this mixture of people, Singapore is also a mixture of
religions. Singapore's skyline boasts the distinctive minarets
of mosques, spires of gothic cathedrals, intricate figurines of
Hindu temple gods and distinctive roof architecture of Chinese
temples.
The
main religions are
Islam
Buddhism
Christianity
Hinduism
Sikhism
Judaism
Zoroastrianism
