Geography
Singapore is made up of a low-lying Singapore Island and 58 smaller
islands within its territorial water. 50% of the land area are urban
areas while parkland; reservoirs, plantations and open military
areas occupy 40%.
The whole island measures approximately 42km from east to west and
23km from north to south at its widest points. While there are built-up,
high-density areas all around the island, the main city area is
in the south, built along the shores of the Singapore River, a 'recreational'
river, offering waterfront housing, riverside dining, and water-sports
facilities to the present and future generations of Singaporeans.
Jurong (to the west of the island) is an industrial area with a
number of tourist attractions. There are colonial home areas in
the East Coast, a major beach park and the international airport.
The northeast is the location of huge modern housing developments
while the central northern part has most of Singapore's undeveloped
land and what is left of its forest. Singapore is connected to another
mainland, Malaysia, by a 1-kilometer-long causeway.
According to current plans, land reclamation and housing developments
will mould and change Singapore's geography dramatically.
Climate
Singapore's temperature rarely drops below 20 degrees Celsius, even
at night, and usually climbs up to 30 degrees Celsius during the
day making it hot and humid all year-round. Eventually, humidity
is high at around the 75% mark.
Singapore is wettest from November to January and is driest from
May to July; the difference between the two unfortunately is barely
visible.
And due to Singapore's near proximity to the equator, it gets plenty
of sun throughout the year.
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