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Essay / The history, culture and geography of Singapore
Singapore is a main island city-state in Southeast Asia, located off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the 'Indonesia, between latitudes 1º 09'N and 1º 29. ´N and longitudes 103º 36´E and 104º 25´E. The Malaysian Peninsula lies approximately 137 kilometers north of the equator and includes a diamond-shaped island called Singapore. Singapore lies directly between the South China Sea and the Indian Ocean and is made up of 63 distinct islands. The total area of Singapore is 704 square kilometers (272 square miles). The lowest point in Singapore is sea level and the highest point is Bukit Timah, at a high altitude of 162 meters (531 feet). (Szczepanski,) Nearly two-thirds of the island of Singapore lies less than 15 meters above sea level. The eastern part of the island of Singapore is a very low plateau cut by erosion into an intricate pattern of hills and valleys. Singapore has a tropical climate, which does not vary much throughout the year. Average temperatures in Singapore generally range from 23 to 32°C (73 to 90°F). The average monthly temperature in Singapore ranges from approximately 81°F (27°C) in June to 77°F (25°C) in January. The record temperature ever recorded in Singapore was just 97°F (36°C). With Singapore having a generally hot and humid tropical climate, there are still two monsoon rainy seasons which generally occur from May to September (southwest monsoon). , and from November to March (northeast monsoon). Monsoon seasons determine the relative incidence of precipitation and the movements of monsoon air masses. During these inter-monsoon months, it usually rains frequently in the afternoon. The wettest period is during the northeast monsoon period, with average rainfall...... middle of paper ...... civilizations of China, India, Indonesia or West. The National Museum of Singapore is the oldest museum established when Singapore was part of the Straits Settlements. Heritage is very important and can be seen or talked about in museums, art galleries, heritage institutions and national monuments. The Asian Civilizations Museum (ACM) showcases the history and culture of Singapore's ancient cultures. The Singapore Art Museum is home to the world's largest public collection of modern and contemporary Southeast Asian art. The Peranakan Museum maintains the world's finest and most comprehensive collection of Peranakan objects that represent a unique cultural tradition. The Singapore Philatelic Museum collects stamps and archival philatelic materials from Singapore from the 1830s to the present. The National Art Gallery exhibits works from the 19th and 20th centuries