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).
The south of Singapore, around the mouth of the Singapore River and what is now the Downtown Core, used to be the only concentrated urban area, while the rest of the land was either undeveloped tropical rainforest or used for agriculture. Since the 1960s, the government has constructed new residential towns in outlying areas, resulting in an entirely built-up urban landscape. The Urban Redevelopment Authority was established on 1 April 1974, responsible for urban planning.
Climate and Weather
With respect to its location, Singapore experiences tropical climate making it hot and humid all through the year. The average minimum temperature of Singapore is about 23 degrees Celsius whereas its average maximum temperature is about 31 degrees Celsius. Humidity in the climate of Singapore usually ranges between 70 to 80 percent. It is an ideal holiday location for those fond of sunbathing.
Monsoon in Singapore begins in November and mostly carries on till end of January. The rains make the temperature drop making it cooler than the usual climate. Rains in Singapore are intermittent and the showers are usually very heavy. The ideal time for tourists to visit Singapore is in the months of June to August. The climate of Singapore around this time of the year is exceptionally pleasant.
Population
Singapore population highlights that city- state is the second most densely populated country in the world. The 2005 census reveals the population count to be 4. 48 million. The population of Singapore is multicultural because of the migrations that took place in the 19th century. One can find Chinese, Malay, Indian and others who now form an integral part of the society. As results there are four official languages in Singapore namely – English, Malay, Mandarin and Tamil. Though Malay is the national language but English is widely used.
Transportation
Transportation within Singapore is mainly land-based. Almost all parts of Singapore are accessible by road, including islands such as Sentosa and Jurong Island. The other major form of transportation within Singapore is rail: the Mass Rapid Transit which runs the length and width of Singapore, and the Light Rail Transit which runs within a few neighbourhoods. The main island of Singapore is connected to the other islands by ferryboat services.
Singapore also has many links to the rest of the world — there are two bridges which link Singapore to Malaysia — the Causeway, and the Second Link. The Singapore Changi Airport is a major aviation hub for many airlines, and Singapore is a major transshipment port.
Top Attractions
1. Raffles Hotel.
2. Chinatown.
3. Little India.
4. Kampong Gelam and Arab Street.
5. Singapore Zoological Gardens.
6. Jurong Birdpark.
7. Singapore Art Museum.
8. Melaka.
9. Singapore Botanical Gardens.
10. Bukit Timah Nature Reserve.
Best Travel Time
Singapore can be visited at anytime of the year. The most comfortable months are between June and August. Another good idea is to coordinate your visit to coincide with the spectacular festivals and events of Singapore.
Food and Drink
National specialties:
• Beef rendang (coconut milk beef curry).
• Chicken sambal.
• Gado gado (a fruit and vegetable salad in peanut sauce).
• Satay (skewers of marinated meat cooked over charcoal) served with peanut sauce, cucumber, onion and rice.
National drinks: • Singapore Sling (cocktail containing gin, cherry liquor, cointreau, benedictine, pineapple juice, lime juice, grenadine and angostura bitters). It was founded in the early 20th century for the Raffles Hotel in Singapore.
• Teh arak tarik (ginger tea with milk).
• Soya bean milk.
• Sugar cane juice.
Local Products/Shopping
The vast range of available goods and competitive prices have led to Singapore rightly being known as a shopper’s paradise. Special purchases include Balinese, Chinese, Filipino, Indian and Malay antiques; batiks; cameras; Chinese, Indian and Persian carpets; imported or tailored clothing; jewelry and specialized items made of reptile and snake skins, including shoes, briefcases, handbags and wallets. Silks, perfumes, silverware and wigs are other favorite buys. The herding of shop owners from ‘Chinatown’ into multi-story complexes lost some of the exciting shopping atmosphere, although these huge centers do provide an air-conditioned environment. Orchard Road is the main shopping street, although many of the large hotel complexes, such as Marina Square, have shopping centers attached. Although most outlets operate Western-style fixed pricing, bargains can still be made in some places but generally only after good research and shrewd negotiating. Electrical equipment of all types can be bought at Sungei Road, but caution is advised as there are many imitation products around. For more information on shopping in Singapore, see the Singapore Shopping brochure published by the Singapore Tourism Board.
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1. Raffles Hotel.
Singapore can be visited at anytime of the year. The most comfortable months are between June and August. Another good idea is to coordinate your visit to coincide with the spectacular festivals and events of Singapore.