Singapore
By Gillian perry :)
Introduction
Marina Bay Sands
Gardens by the Bay
Singapores Garden Festival
Climate
Like most of Southeast Asia, Singapore is generally hot and humid. It's warm and humid year round, with the temperature almost never dropping below 20°C (68°F), even at night, and usually climbing to 30°C (86°F) during the day. Recently, it even reached till 35°C. Humidity is high, over the 75% mark.
November and December is the rainy season. June-August is considered to be the best time to visit, but even then it rains often. Don't let the climate stop you from going, however. Most buildings are air-conditioned (to the point that you may want to take a sweater), and pains have been taken to make everything as comfortable as can be, all things considered. When it does rain, it's generally only for a short period.
For those who enjoy the sun and the beach, Singapore is an ideal place for beach lovers, as you get the hot hot sun throughout the year. So when you're in Singapore, just bring along your cooling apparels and hats.
Geography
Singapore's strategic location at the southern tip of the Malaysian peninsula has ensured its importance, which is greater than its size might seem to justify. Singapore consists of the island of Singapore and some 63 islets within its territorial waters. The main island is about 26 mi/42 km from west to east and 14 mi/23 km from north to south. It's a mostly undulating country with low hills.
Singapore's Central Business District actually spreads across both the central and southern parts of the island. You can get a good visual orientation to the city as you cross the Benjamin Shears Bridge on the East Coast Parkway, which links the airport to the city center. The Singapore city scape looks magnificent, particularly at night when buildings are brilliantly lit. Offshore, there appears to be another city all lit up because of the many ships anchored there - Singapore is one of the busiest seaports in the world.
Many of the city's attractions are clustered closely together. Orchard Road, the shoppers' haven, is located in the northern part of the city center. Chinatown, where you'll find Boat Quay, is just to the southeast of Orchard Road, while Little India is northeast. Sentosa Island, with its many amusements, is directly to the southwest of the city center. These frequently visited neighborhoods, as well as more suburban areas, remain a bustling hive of pedestrian activity well into the evening.
People & Culture
Singapore is a society where people live and interact among different cultures. The pattern of Singapore is from the culture of the island. The people of the past have given the place a mixture of Malay, Chinese, Indian, and European. Behind the modern city, these ethnic groups are still evident. The areas for the different groups, still remain although the bulk of Singaporeans do think of themselves as Singaporeans, regardless of groups or culture.
Each ethnic group has its own religion and there are colorful festivals of special significance all year round. Although the festivals are special to certain groups, it is enjoyed by all. In Singapore, There are a lot of variety's to offer. We have, Chinese, Indian, Malay, Indonesian and Western, Italian, Peranakan, Spanish, French, Thai and even Fusion. It is very common to eat other culture's food and some of the food can be very interesting.
Polygamy ( having more than 1 soul mate) is allowed among Muslim Malays, but otherwise monogamy (just one) is the rule. Inter ethnic marriages are not common. Divorce is becoming more common. The average age at first marriage has increased, and it is customary for young people to live with their parents until they marry. Children are brought along in most situations except business and very formal events. Small children are showered with affection. Generally, children are expected to be quiet and obedient and may be physically punished for misbehaving. There is very little free space where children can play and few areas designed specially for children.
World Expo Pavilion
Festival of the Lights
Chinese New Year
Economy
For their agriculture they sell rubber, copra, fruit, orchids, vegetables; poultry, eggs; fish, ornamental fish. Also for their natural resources, they have fish, and deep water ports. their imports for the economy are ,machinery and equipment, mineral fuels, chemicals, foodstuffs.
And their exports are, machinery and equipment , consumer goods, chemicals, and mineral fuels. Their currency is the Singapore dollar.
Singapore Timeline
1300-The port of Temasek is founded by Sang Nila Utama, a prince of Srivijaya.
1414-Temasek becomes part of the Sultanate of Malacca established by Parameswara
1511-Temasek becomes part of Sultanate of Johor after Malacca fell to the Portuguese.
1613-Portuguese burn down a trading outpost at the mouth of Singapore River.
1830-Singapore comes under the Presidency of Bengal in India.
1842-St. Margarets Girls School is founded by Maria Tarn Dyer, the first and oldest all-girls school in Singapore
1912- The Singapore Harbor board is set up.
1945-The British return to Singapore after the end of World War II and begin a military administration of the Straits Settlements.
1963-The Malaysia Agreement is signed between leaders of Malaya, Singapore, Sabah and Sarawak
Government
After 25 years of independance, Singapore enjoyed a reputation for political stability and honest, effective government. Probably the world's only ex-colony to have independence forced upon it, Singapore responded to its unanticipated expulsion from Malaysia in August 1965 by concentrating on economic development and by fostering a sense of nationhood. Though the survival of the miniature state was in doubt for a time, it not only survived but also managed to achieve the highest standard of living in Southeast Asia. The country also enjoyed a rare political continuity; its ruling party and prime minister triumphed in every election from 1959 to 1988. Singapore's government had an international reputation for effective administration and for ingenious and successful economic policies. It was also known for its authoritarian style of government and limited tolerance for opposition or criticism, qualities the government deemed necessary to ensure survival in a hostile world and which its domestic and foreign critics claimed indicated a refusal to consider the opinions of its citizens or anyone outside the closed circle of the aging leadership. In the early 1990s, the leadership would face the issues of political succession and of modifying the relationship between the state and the increasingly prosperous and well-educated society it had created.
Singapore's Flag
Singapore's currency
Capital in Singapore
Citizenship
There are several benefits of becoming a Singapore Citizen – the ease of travelling with a Singapore passport and benefits in education, health-care, housing and employment. There are certain disadvantages as well, like denouncing your home country citizenship and mandatory National Service for two years in certain cases.
Singapore is considered as one of the best cities in Asia to live in. It is safe, environment friendly and westernised. It ranks high in most of the World Rankings and reports and is said to have a high quality of living. These factors among others attract many of us to Singapore, often on a long term basis. Consequently, many of us stay with the question of whether or not to secure Singapore Citizenship.