Singapore consists of 63 islands, including mainland Singapore. There are two man-made connections to Johor, Malaysia – Johor-Singapore Causeway in the north, and Tuas Second Link in the west. Jurong Island, Pulau Tekong, Pulau Ubin and Sentosa are the largest of Singapore’s many smaller islands. The highest natural point of Singapore is Bukit Timah Hill at 166 m (545 ft).
Singapore has been rated as the most business-friendly economy in the world, with thousands of foreign expatriates working in multi-national corporations. Singapore is also considered to be one of the top centres of finance in the world and throughout the region. In addition to this, the city-state also employs tens of thousands of foreign blue-collared workers around the world
History of Singapore
History of Singapore is starting from Srivijaya prince Sang Nila Utama landed on the island in the 13th century and, catching sight of a strange creature that he thought was a lion, decided to found a new city he called Singapura, Sanskrit for Lion City.
More historical records indicate that the island was settled at least two centuries earlier and was known as Temasek, Javanese for “Sea Town“. However, Sumatran Srivijaya fell around 1400 and Temasek, battered by the feuding kingdoms of Siam and the Javanese Majapahit, fell into obscurity.
The story of Singapore as we know it today thus began in 1819, when Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles made a deal with a claimant to the throne of the sultan of Johor: the British would support his claim in exchange for the right to set up a trading post on the island.
Well-placed at the entrance to the Straits of Malacca, straddling the trade routes between China, India, Europe, and Australia, Raffles’ masterstroke was to declare Singapore a free port, with no duties charged on trade.
As traders flocked to escape onerous Dutch taxes, the trading post soon grew into one of Asia’s busiest, drawing people from far and wide.
Along with Penang and Malacca, Singapore became one of the Straits Settlements and a jewel in the British colonial crown, and its economic fortunes received a further boost when palm oil and rubber from neighboring Malaya were processed and shipped out via Singapore.
In 1867, Singapore was formally split off from British India and made into a directly ruled Crown Colony.
When World War II broke out, Fortress Singapore was seen as a formidable British base, with massive naval fortifications guarding against assault by sea. However, not only did the fortress lack a fleet as most ships were tied up in other theaters of war, but the Japanese wisely chose to invade landward from Malaya instead.
The British were woefully under prepared on the landward side and on February 15, 1942, with supplies critically low after less than a week of fighting, Singapore ignominiously surrendered and the colony’s erstwhile rulers were packed off to Changi Prison.
Tens of thousands perished in the subsequent brutal occupation, and the return of the British in 1945 was less than triumphal – it was clear that their time was up.
Granted self-rule in 1955, Singapore briefly joined Malaysia in 1963 when the British left, but was expelled because the Chinese-majority city was seen as a threat to Malay dominance, and the island became independent on 9 August 1965.
Thereafter commenced Singapore’s struggle to survive and prosper on its own. It also had to create a sense of national identity and consciousness among a disparate population of immigrants. Singapore’s strategy for survival and development was essentially to take advantage of its strategic location and the favorable world economy.
A massive industrialization program was launched with the extension of the Jurong industrial estate and the creation of smaller estates in Kallang Park, Tanjong Rhu, Redhill, Tiong Bahru and Tanglin Halt. The Employment Act and the Industrial Relations (Amendment) Act were passed in 1968 to promote industrial peace and discipline among the workforce.
Singapore Weather & Climate
Singapore located a mere 1.5 degrees north of the Equator, the weather is usually sunny with no distinct seasons.
Rain falls almost daily throughout the year, usually in sudden, heavy showers that rarely last longer than an hour. However, most rainfall occurs during the northeast monsoon (November to January), occasionally featuring lengthy spells of continuous rain.
Spectacular thunderstorms can occur throughout the year, normally in the afternoons, so it’s wise to carry a umbrella at all times, both as a shade from the sun or cover from the rain.
Between May and October, forest fires in neighboring Sumatra can also cause dense haze, although this is unpredictable and comes and goes rapidly: check the National Environment Agency’s site for current data.
The temperature averages around:
- 26°C (79°F) daytime, 24°C (76°F) at night in December and January
- 31°C (89°F) daytime, 26°C (80°F) at night for the rest of the year.
The high temperature and humidity, combined with the lack of wind and the fact that temperatures stay high during the night, can take its toll on visitors from colder parts of the world.
Bear in mind that spending more than about one hour outdoors can be very exhausting, especially if combined with moderate exercise. Singaporeans themselves shun the heat, and for a good reason. Many live in air-conditioned flats, work in air-conditioned offices, take the air-conditioned metro to air-conditioned shopping malls connected to each other by underground tunnels where they shop, eat, and exercise in air-conditioned fitness clubs. Follow their example if you want to avoid discomfort.
Singapore people
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 of almost four million comprises 77% Chinese, 14% Malays, 8% Indians and 1% Eurasians and 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 for 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.Currently, the government is planning to increase the population to 6.5 million people by 2050. Due to the excessivley low birth rate among the native population, it is perhaps inevitable that the majority of the population increase will involve a massive influx of immigrants.
- Airport Tax; A passenger service charge of S$21.00 will be charged during check-in at Changi Airport. However, this charge is usually absorbed by your airline. Passengers in transit for less than 24 hours are not required to pay the service charge.
- Cabby Tours; Apart from tour guides, taxi drivers are the ones who know Singapore best. Eight different tours are available where you will be driven around by a qualified taxi driver. Discover juicy tidbits on various areas that can only come from local knowledge. Tours include farm visits, night tours and heartland tours.
- Drinking Water; Tap water in Singapore is perfectly safe to drink. Bottled water is available at all local supermarkets and most stores island-wide.
- Electricity; Singapore’s voltage is 220-240 volts AC, 50 cycles per second that utilises a three-pin, square-shaped plug and socket system. If you are carrying devices with different voltages most hotels will provide transformers. Before purchasing any electrical equipment, ensure that you check the voltage against that of your home country.
- Goods And Services Tax (GST); A GST of 7% is levied on all purchases in Singapore. As a visitor, you can claim back the GST you paid on your purchases when you take them home. The GST refund does not apply for land and cruise departures.
- Local Etiquette; Dressing – Dress appropriately when visiting temples and mosques.
Removal of shoes – It is common practice to remove one’s footwear when entering temples, mosques and local homes.
Use of hands to eat or pass food – The right hand is used when eating an Indian or Malay meal. Please do not under any circumstances use the left hand.
Chinese meal – It is taboo to stick your chopsticks into your food. If you are served with two spoons the chinese porcelian one is used for eating, while the other – usually a silver one with a longer handle – is used for serving.
- Money; Licensed money changers can be found in Changi Airport and most shopping centres in the city. Most money changers commence business at 10.00am. If you are holding banknotes or traveller’ cheques of other national currencies rather than Euro banknotes, it is best to consult your country’s local banks prior to your trip. Not to worry, you can always exchange these notes at the various bank counters in Changi Airport and most local money changers.
- Postal Services; Singapore post has more than 1300 postal outlets island-wide for your convinience, offering postal, telecommunication and agency services. Most open Monday to Friday, from 8.30am to 5.00pm and until 1.00pm on Saturday.
- Smoking; Smoking is prohibited in public service vehicles, museums, libraries, lifts, theatres, cinemas, air-conditioned restaurants, hair salons, supermarkets, department stores and government offices. However, there are designated smoking points all over town. A fine of S$1,000 can be imposed on offenders. Smoking in air-conditioned nighspots, pubs, discos and bars is permitted.
- Telecommunications; Calling from public phones costs S$0.10 for 3 minutes. Phones are mostly card operated with coin phones still available albeit rare. Phone cards – from S$3.00 – can be purchased at post offices and shops. You can also use your credit card at selected phone booths. The IDD code is 001.
- SIM cards for mobile phones can be purchased from selected shops island-wide. For mobile phone users on US and Japanese networks, please call the SingTel mobile hotline – 1626, should you require hand phones for rent.
- Tipping; Optional but much appreciated. Tipping taxi drivers is encouraged. Hotels and restaurants levy a 10% service charge.
As the international business center, Singapore has a lot of hotels and many international group stars hotels open and operate in Singapore. some the Singapore hotels