Region: Southeast Asia
Size:  266 sq mi (683 sq km)
Population:  4.3 million (July 2004 est.)
Languages:  English, Malay, Mandarin and Tamil
Time Zone:  GMT/UTC+8
Currency:  Singapore dollar
Landscape: lowland; gently undulating central plateau contains water a catchments area and nature preserve
Climate:  tropical; hot, humid, rainy; two distinct monsoon seasons - Northeastern monsoon from December to March and Southwestern monsoon from June to September; inter-monsoon - frequent afternoon and early evening thunderstorms
Entry Requirements:  American passport holders usually do not need a visa for visiting SIngapore within 30 days. Other questions or other nationals please call the nearest Singapore consulate office or embassy to confirm entry requirements.
Airlines:  Singapore Airlines, China Airlines, ANA Airways, Cathay Pacific, United Airlines, Japan Airlines, EVA Airways
Travel Time from LAX:  17 to 19 hrs
Travel Time from JFK:  18 to 21 hrs
Getting Around: Singapore has a comprehensive bus network with frequent services and a convenient Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) subway system. Both are cheap and simple to use. There is also a good supply of taxis and all are metered. There are branches of all major rent-a-car companies here and you can charter bumboats (motorized sampans) to take various tours on the Singapore River. Regular ferry services operate from the World Trade Center to Sentosa and other islands, while luxurious junk tours can be taken around the harbor. Rickshaws have disappeared from Singapore's main streets, but can still be found operating in Chinatown and back streets; agree on a fare beforehand.
Personal Technology:220-240V, 50 Hz
Nearby Destinations:  Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines
Web Site: 
click here

 

SINGAPORE

Singapore is a thriving city-state that lies almost on the equator. Due to all of its natural resources, Singapore has become one of the stronger Asian economies. Singapore's Chinatown offers everything from fortunetellers to calligrapher to temple worshippers. If you want to add a little spice to your life, Little India offers the best sari material and some of the finest freshly ground spices.

Culture
Singapore is home to diverse span of races. Due to the mass of different races there are a large number of religions practiced in the country. The Chinese that live in Singapore are predominantly followers of Buddhism and Taoism, though some are Christians. While the Malays are overwhelmingly Muslims, most of Singapore's Indians are Hindus.

Most likely due to the high number of races, Singapore has four different official languages; Mandarin, Malay, Tamil, and English. English is the most widespread of the four languages and acts to unite the various ethnic groups.

History
Malay legend states that a Sumatran prince found Singapore when he encountered a lion, considered a good omen, and established Singapura, 'lion city'. Due to a fierce struggle a century later, the island was abandoned. It was not until the British founded the island as a trading colony, in 1819, that Singapore was again inhabited.

In 1963 Singapore joined Malaysia, but only after two years of unity, the Singaporeans moved towards self-government and became independent. Over time Singapore has become one of the world's most prosperous countries, mostly because of its strong international trading links, its port.

Attractions
Colonial Singapore
Places of interest include: Empress Place Building, an imposing Victorian structure, built in 1865, that houses a museum, art and antique galleries and a chic restaurant; the incongruous Padang, where flannelled cricketers once caught, bowled and batted in the searing heat.

Chinatown
Chinatown is Singapore's cultural heart and still provides glimpses of the old ways with its numerous temples, decorated terraces and its frantic conglomeration of merchants, shops and activity. The Thian Hock Keng Temple in Chinatown is arguably the most interesting in Singapore.

Little India
This modest but colorful area of wall-to-wall shops, pungent aromas and Hindi film music is a relief from the prim modernity of many parts of the city. Centered around the southern end of Serangoon Rd, this is the place to come to pick up that framed print of a Hindu god you've always wanted, eat great vegetarian food and watch street side cooks fry chapattis.

Orchard Rd
This is the area where the high-class hotels predominate. It is also the domain of Singapore's elite, who are lured by the shopping centers, nightspots, restaurants, bars and lounges. A showcase for the material delights of capitalism, Orchard Rd also possesses some sights of cultural interest where a credit card is not required.

Sentosa Island
Considered the granddaddy of Singapore's parks, Sentosa Island is the city-state's most visited attraction, especially on weekends. The island has museums, aquariums, beaches (with imported sand), sporting facilities, walks, rides, and food centers. And if a day isn't enough to take in all the sites and activities, the island has a camping ground, hostels and luxury hotels.

 

Adventures:
Pulau Ubin
The tranquil rural flavor of Pulau Ubin is as far removed from the cosmopolitan bustle of Singapore central, as it is possible to get. The island is small enough to cycle around and this is still the best way to explore its fish farms, holy temples, coconut palms and deserted beaches.
Southern Islands
Although some of the southern islands are industrial bases, there are a few off-the-beaten-track islands where you can find a quiet beach.
Bukit Timah Nature Reserve
Although little is left of Singapore's wilderness Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, lying to the north of the CBD, is the largest area of remaining primary rainforest. The park is filled with over 800 species of native plants including giant trees, ferns and native wild flowers. This is also where you'll see long-tailed macaques, lemurs, reticulated pythons, the intriguingly named greater racquet-tailed drongo and the white-bellied sea eagle.

For Families:
Although shopping is the mainstay of the Singapore culture, there are other activities to be enjoyed. Despite Singapore's multiple beaches, swimming is only safe in a few designated areas due to pollution in the water. If one does venture out of the hotel pool and into the waters of the ocean there are several water sports to become involved with, including windsurfing, water-skiing, jet-skiing, snorkeling, scuba diving, sailing, and dragon boat racing. Other sporting activities are available including cycling, golf, computerized bowling alleys, archery, canoeing along the East Coast and the lagoons of Sentosa Island, cricket at the Singapore Cricket Club, and horse racing at the Kranji Racetrack. And for those who love nature, there are several parks to visit and treks through reserves.

Shopping:
Shopping is one of the greatest pleasures in Singapore. Part of the fun is the excellent buys and great variety of shops all over the island. Delight in a bargain at a little neighborhood shop, pick up a quaint item or two as you stroll through colorful ethnic districts, discover favorite buys of the droves who flock to our modern malls or be enthralled by the splendor of whole shopping "cities" selling everything under the sun.

Culinary:
Singapore is the food capital of Asia. Chinese, Indian, Malay, Indonesian and Western foods are all on offer, and some of the tastiest creations are those sold from the atmospheric street stalls. Nonya cooking is a local variation on Chinese and Malay food, mixing Chinese ingredients with local spices such as lemongrass and coconut cream. The popular spicy, coconut-based soup laksa is a classic Nonya dish. Singapore is a great place to discover tropical fruits. Some of the more unusual ones available include rambutan, mangosteen, durian, jackfruit, pomelo, starfruit, zirzat, buah duku, chiku and jeruk.

Sports:
 Singapore has a variety of sports to both watch and play including soccer, cricket, tennis, and golf.

Nightlife:
Although Singapore has the reputation of being the safest city in the world, it is far from being a nocturnally sleepy town. After hours, Singapore practically transforms itself from an ever-so-efficient business hub to a buzzing network of bars and nightclubs. Busy executives loosen their ties and kick up their heels to the sound of jazz swinging at Harry's Bar along Boat Quay, and earnest students-by-day let down their hair for some laid-back barhopping at famous Mohammed Sultan Road. Pubbing and clubbing at Singapore is a must if you want to feel the night-pulse of the city; experience the city only by day and you get just half of the picture.