Decatur (DDG 73) - Naval Cruise Book

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Republic of Singapore, independent city-state in Southeast Asia, comprises 1 main island and 50 adjacent islands off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula. The major island is separated from Malaysia on the north by the narrow Johor Strait and is connected by a causeway to the Malaysian city of Johor Baharu. On the south, the main island is separated from Indonesia ' s Riau Archipelago by the Singapore Strait, an important shipping channel linking the Indian Ocean to the west with the South China Sea on the east. Singapore is densely populated, with most of the country ' s people concentrated in the south central portion of the island, where the central business district and main port are located. About three-fourths of the people are Chinese, but there are significant Malay and Indian minorities. 0) 3 o (5 35

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O) c o o Hong Kong, administrative region of China, consists of a mainland portion located on the country ' s southeastern coast and about 235 islands. Hong Kong is bordered on the north by Guangdong Province and on the east, west, and south by the South China Sea. Hong Kong was a British dependency from the 1840s until July 1 , 1997, when it passed to Chinese sovereignty as the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The British control of Hong Kong began in 1 842, when China was forced to cede Hong Kong Island to Britain after the First Opium War. In 1984 Britain and China signed the Sino-British Joint Declaration, which stipulated that Hong Kong return to Chinese rule in 1 997. 34

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(5 (0 CQ Bahrain, officially Kingdom of Bahrain, is an independent country in western Asia. The country comprises 33 islands on the western side of the Arabian Gulf. The capital and largest city of Bahrain is Manama. Bahrain entered recorded history about 5,000 years ago as a commercial trading center. Long under the influence of more powerful neigh- bors, it came under the domination of Iran in the 17th century. The al-Khalifa family, originating from the central Arabian Peninsula, established them- selves as Bahrain ' s rulers in 1783 and has ruled ever since. A series of treaties in the 1 9th century gave Britain control over Bahrain ' s defense and foreign affairs. Dominant British influence lasted until Bahrain became independent in 1971 . While spending a few days in the middle of nowhere, DECATUR sailors got a much needed break. Although most DECATUR sailors chose to hang out at the Desert Dome, a few took in the local sights and sounds. Camel Riding, sight seeing, and sampling the local cuisine were some of the highlights, but who can forget about bartering for cab rides and special prices on gold! I GOT BACK SEAT! 36