|
Founded
as a Bristish trading colony in 1919 , Singapore joined Malaysia in 1963, but withdrew
2 years later and became independent (9 August 1965). It subsequently became
one of the world’s most properous countries, with strong international
trading links (its port is one of the world’s
busiest) and with per capita GDP equal to that of the leading nations of Western Europe.
Singapore, or the Lion
City, is at the crossroads of Asia. Its mix of Chinese, Indian, and Malay cultures,
spiced with Western influences, creates a wonderful blend and this small
country celebrates the uniqueness of each in its own special way. Today,
the districts designated by the former British colonists for the ethnic
groups are still in use, with Chinatown
and Little India thriving as religious and cultural centres and yet, no
matter what their ethnic background, each citizen calls themselves a
Singaporean.
Singapore is known by many different names, all with a
certain fondness to their titles, such as “Surprising Singapore”,
"Garden City", “Golden
City” and even
"Instant Asia." All these descriptions fit and anyone who visits
will soon agree. With its truly international atmosphere, all in just under
618 square km it has all the attractions a visitor could wish to find
|
|
|
|
Official name:
|
Republic of Singapore
|
|
Area :
|
692.7 sq. km
|
|
Capital
:
|
Singapore
|
|
Administration:
|
None
|
|
Population
:
|
4,500,000
|
|
Government:
|
Parliamentary republc
|
|
Ethnic
groups:
|
Chinese 76.7% ,
Malay 14% , Indian 7.9% , other 1.4%.
|
|
Location
:
|
Southeastern Asia ,
island between Malaysia
and Indonesia.
|
|
Language
|
English
– Chinese - Tamil (official)
Malay (official
and national)
|
|
Climate
:
|
Tropical ; hot , humid ,
rainy.
Two distinct monsoon seasons –
Northeastern monsoon from December to March and Southwestern monsoon
from June to September.
|
|
Local Time
|
GMT +8
|
|
Religion
|
Buddhist
(Chinese) , Muslim (Malays) , Christian , Hindu
|
|
Business Hours
|
Generally open from 10am to 3pm,
Mondays to Fridays and 11am to 4:30pm, Saturdays.
|
|
Currency
|
The currency unit is the Singapore
dollar (S$). Coins are in denominations of: 1, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100
cents. Notes are in denominations of: $1, $5, $10, $20, $50,
$100, $500, $1,000 and $10,000.
|
|
Electricity supply
|
Singapore's voltage is 220-240 volts AC, 50 cycles per second.
Most hotels can provide visitors with a transformer, which can convert
the voltage to 110-120 volts, 60 cycles per second.
|
|
|
|
|
Singapore Public Holidays
|
|
- New Year's Day (January 1)
- Chinese New Year (January or February)
- Good Friday (April)
- Labor Day (May 1)
- Vesak Day May 29)
- National Day (August 9)
- Deepavali (November)
- Christmas (December 25)
- Hari Raya Puasa (January)
- Hari Raya Haji (March)
|
|
|
|
|
EVENTS
& FESTIVAL
|
|
Chinese New Year January or February
Chinese New Year starts of the year according to the Chinese calendar.
The colour red is prominently displayed as the Chinese believe it's a
lucky colour. The children and younger generation receive ang pows which
are red packets containing money. You can catch a lion dance performance
at various venues. Multi-colored lights and bright decorations light up Chinatown along Eu Tong Sen Street and New Bridge
Road Chinese New Year.
|
|
|
|
Chingay Parade January or February Venue:
Orchard Road
Singapore's
grandest street festival celebrates the Chinese Lunar New Year with a
parade down Orchard Road.
Favorites include the stilt-walkers, lion dancers and floats.
|
|
|
|
Singapore River Hong Bao February
This annual Lunar New Year extravaganza features a variety show with top
regional and local artists performing. Complete with fireworks, merchant
kiosks and hawker stalls.
|
|
|
|
Hari Raya Haji March Venue: Various Venues
An
important religious occasion for Muslims who spend the day in prayer to
commemorate the Haj or pilgrimage to Mecca. After the morning prayer, sheep
and goats are ritually slaughtered and the meat is distributed to the
poor.
|
|
|
|
Singapore Fashion
Festival March/April
This
Festival offers an eye-opening preview to the season’s trendiest colours,
fabrics and styles through a series of exciting fashion shows and
exhibitions, as well as product launches. Shop in between the visual
feasts and take advantage of the promotions held in conjunction with the
Festival.
|
|
|
|
Singapore Food
Festival March/April/ July
With over 40 food and lifestyle events
rolled into one, this annual culinary showdown is truly “where the world
comes to feast”! Tantalise your taste buds with mouth-watering cuisines
as restaurants, shopping malls, hotels and some of Singapore’s favourite
attractions dish out a melting pot of traditional and contemporary
creations hailing from the East and West.
|
|
|
|
Vesak April or May Venue: Island-wide
The life of Buddha is celebrated on Vesak Day in April or May and caged
birds are released to symbolize the liberation of captive souls.
Celebrations are carried out at all Buddhist temples where monks
commemorate their Lord Buddha's entry into Nirvana by chanting holy
sutras and releasing captive birds. Good locations to watch the
festivities include Buddhist Lodge at River Valley Road, Thai Buddhist
Temple at Jalan Bukit Merah and Lian Shan Shuang Lin Temple at Jalan Toa
Payoh.
July is
dedicated to food. Eateries go all out in promoting the island as a food
paradise. Nowhere else can you find such an amazing variety of food in
one place. The Singapore Food Festival is the
melting pot for tantalizing cuisine's of the
Chinese, Indians, Malays and more. Participate in the opening
celebrations from 2 to 4 July at Parco Bugis Junction where an entire
air-conditioned street will be converted to a giant buffet stretch.
"A Taste of Asia" Asian cuisine will jointly present at several
hotels, from 2 to 10 July.
|
|
|
|
Great Singapore
Sale May to July
At a coordinated island this is a wide extravaganza. The Great Singapore
Sale has many stores offering spectacular mark-downs and special
discounts.
|
|
|
|
Dragon Boat Race May or June Venue: Marina Bay
The Singapore World Invitational Dragon Boat Races commemorate the death
of a famous poet who drowned himself to protest political corruption.
Teams from around the world compete for honours. The ' 99 Festival will
be held at Marina Bay,
the race course will start at Nicoll
Highway Bridge
and end at Benjamin
Sheares Bridge.
|
|
|
|
Singapore Arts
Festival June
Don't
miss this eclectic mix of dance, drama and music from around the world.
Also keep an eye out for the fringe events held at venues all around Singapore.
|
|
|
|
Dumpling Festival June
One of the most important Chinese festivals in Singapore is the Dumpling Festival.
You will find the widest array of dumplings and glutinous rice desserts
on sale in the longest Dumpling Fair ever, which include lion dances,
Chinese orchestra performance, Chinese opera and even a karaoke evening.
Don't miss the celebration highlight come to Albert Mall
and join in the festivity where teams of
rollerblades dressed as dragons race down and clear obstacles along the
mall.
|
|
|
|
Arts in the park July
Several times a month, musical and theatre performances are held in Singapore's
beautifully landscaped parks. Enjoy music ranging from Chinese Orchestra
to Percussion to Choir and exhilarating theatre performances.
|
|
|
|
National Day Celebrations August
Join the country as she celebrates the National Day with pomp and
pageantry. The annual National Day Parade in august promises a fun-filled
occasion complete with cultural dances and fireworks galore.
|
|
|
|
Lantern Festival September Venue: Chinese Garden
A grand lantern display is the highlight of this traditional mid-Autumn
celebration. Particularly striking at night, the Chinese Garden
becomes a fairyland of lights and colors. Lion and dragon dances
including cultural shows, Chinese instrumentalists, craftsmen and variety
shows. Children receive free lanterns each evening, while stocks last.
From 9 am - 10 pm daily.
|
|
|
|
Mid-Autumn Festival September Venue: Chinatown
The Mid-Autumn Festival is celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th lunar
month, when there's full moon at its brightest and most enchanting. The
highlight of the festival will be the Mooncake Fair in Chinatown
where street-stalls offer an amazing variety of mooncakes and other
products such as ornamental lanterns, fruits, pastries and souvenirs. The
most catching sight is the Children's Lantern Parade, with hundreds of
children parading down the streets of Chinatown
with their colourful lanterns.
|
|
|
|
Singapore River Buskers' Festival Anytime August to
November
Some of the best street performers from all over the world visit to
entertain Singapore
in this street show extravaganza. Let jugglers and mime artistes thrill
you with their antics and street comedians tickle your funny bone.
|
|
|
|
Pilgrimage to Kusu
Island November
Venue: Kusu Island
Kusu Island,
off Singapore's
southern coast, is sacred to both Taoists and Muslims. According to
legend, a turtle once turned itself into an island Kusu Island,
to save two fishermen -- a Chinese, and a Malay, when their boat
capsized.
The men
lived in harmony and became sworn brothers. Taoists make a yearly
pilgrimage to the Tua
Pekong Temple
during the ninth lunar month. A Malay shrine nearby is also usually
bedecked with offerings.
|
|
|
|
Thimithi Festival October/November Venue: Sri Mariamman Temple. The Hindu fire-walking festival, is
celebrated at Sri
Mariamman Temple
in October. Little India's
streets and temples are festooned with lights and garlands for Deepavali,
the Hindu Festival of Lights in October or November. Crowds pack the Sri Mariamman
Temple on South Bridge
road, to watch the barefoot Hindu devotees walk across a pit of red hot
embers without showing any signs of pain. Festival celebrations begin at
2am and the fire-walking takes place at 5pm. It is advised to get to the
temple early to obtain a good vantage point. Temple etiquette requires visitors to
be dressed appropriately, and shoes must be removed at the door.
|
|
|
|
Singapore River Fiesta December
The Singapore
River comes alive during this fiesta. The event features a calendar of
exciting activities all held at the nation's historic waterway.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
