Singapore is a small republic at the tip of the Malay Peninsula. It consists of the large Singapore Island, and 59 small islands, 20 of which are inhabited. Singapore has a hot, humid equatorial climate, with temperatures averaging 3000C. Total average annual rainfall is 2,413mm.
According to legend, Singapore was founded in 1299. In 1819, Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles of British East India Company founded the city of Singapore, which soon became the most important British trading centre in Southeast Asia. Then in 1867 Singapore became a Crown Colony and remained under the British rule until 1959, when Singapore achieved self-government.
To know more about Singapore and the government, please visit www.visitsingapore.com, www.gov.sg/singov/interviews/110400lky.htm.
2.Margaret ThatcherMargaret Thatcher (1925 —), British stateswoman, prime minister (1979 — 1990). Thatcher was perhaps the most influential British political leader since Churchill. She became a Conservative MP in 1959. She was secretary of state for education and science (1970 — 1974) under Edward Heath, who she defeated for the party leadership in 1975. She became Britain's first woman prime minister in 1979. Her government embarked on a radical free-market programme, which became known as “Thatcherism”. Her monetarist policies, especially cuts in public spending, provoked criticism. She clashed with cabinet colleagues over economic and social policies, especially her hostile attitude toward European Community. In 1990 she was forced to resign as party leader and prime minister and was succeeded by John Major.
