Brief information
In Singapore, on the same street, you can meet Chinese fortune-tellers and Western psychoanalysts. In this city-state, old people play mahjong, respectable businessmen are fond of golf, and ancient Hindu and Buddhist temples coexist with capitalism. Singapore is a metropolis with a diverse culture and religion. Tourists are waiting for exciting rides, parks, interesting sights and sandy white beaches.
Geography of Singapore
According to itypemba.com, the city-state of Singapore is located on several islands in Southeast Asia, not far from the Malay Peninsula. The Strait of Johor separates Singapore from Malaysia, and the Singapore Strait from the Riau Islands. The total area of Singapore, including the islands, is just over 714 square meters. km.
The city-state of Singapore consists of 63 islands. The largest of them are Pulau Tekong, Pulau Ujong, Pulau Yubin and Sentosa.
There are no mountains in Singapore. The highest point of this city-state is Bukit Timah hill, whose height is 165 meters.
Capital
The capital of the city-state of Singapore is the city of the same name. On the territory of modern Singapore, the city existed already in the 2nd century AD.
Official language
Singapore has four official languages - English, Chinese, Malay and Tamil.
Religion
Around 33% of Singapore’s population is Buddhist, 18% Christian and 15% Muslim.
State structure of Singapore
According to equzhou.net, Singapore is a parliamentary republic. The dominant role belongs to the President, he is elected by popular vote.
The executive power is vested in the Cabinet of Ministers, the Prime Minister and the President, while the legislative power is vested in the unicameral Parliament.
The main political parties in Singapore are the People’s Action Party and the Labor Party.
Climate and weather
In Singapore, the climate is equatorial, the temperature almost never drops below +20C, even at night. The average annual air temperature is +27C. The highest average air temperature in Singapore is observed from March to July – +31C, and the lowest – from October to February (+23C). The average annual rainfall is 2,282 mm.
The rainy season in Singapore is November and December. The best time to visit this city-state is from January to April, but rainfall also occurs during these months. But you can relax on the beaches of Singapore all year round.
Sea in Singapore
The Strait of Johor separates Singapore from Malaysia, and the Singapore Strait from the Riau Islands, which belong to Indonesia. The Singapore Strait is the point where the South China Sea and the Indian Ocean intersect.
Rivers and lakes
Despite the fact that the territory of Singapore is 714 sq. km., in this small state there are several rivers. The longest of them is the Kallang River (10 km). However, the most famous local river is the Singapore River, but it is not as long as the Kallang.
Story
On the territory of modern Singapore, a human settlement existed already in the 2nd century AD. From the 16th to the 19th century, Singapore was part of the Johor Sultanate. It is known that in 1613 the Portuguese burned the settlement on the site of modern Singapore, and it plunged into obscurity for two centuries.
In 1824, the entire island of Singapore came under British rule. By 1860, the population of the island of Singapore had already exceeded 80 thousand people. And about 50% of them were Chinese.
During World War II, in 1942, Singapore was occupied by Japanese troops. The occupation continued until September 1945.
In 1963, Singapore declared its independence from Great Britain and became part of the Federation of Malaysia. Singapore seceded from Malaysia in 1965 and the Republic of Singapore was proclaimed the same year.
Culture of Singapore
The Chinese, Malays, and Hindus live in Singapore, and therefore the culture of this city-state is very diverse. Singapore celebrates Hindu, Chinese and Malay holidays, from the New Year to Deepavali.
If you are planning to visit Singapore, then try to make your trip coincide with any holiday: February – Hindu festival Thaipusam, May – Dragon Boat Festival, July – Hungry Ghost Festival, September – Monkey God Day, October – Navarathiri Festival, November is the Feast of the Emperors, December is the Feast of Deepavali.
Kitchen
The forge of Singapore is in keeping with the ethnic diversity of this city-state. Singaporean cuisine is influenced by Malay, Chinese, Indian and even European (mainly English) culinary traditions.
Tourists in Singapore are recommended to try Peranakan popiah (stuffed pancakes), Hokkien fried noodles, Teochew rice porridge, Hainanese chicken rice, Cantonese fried pork, Malay dish “rending” (coconut marinated meat) and also curry.
The most famous alcoholic drink in Singapore is the Singapore Sling cocktail, which was invented about 100 years ago. The composition of this cocktail includes cherry brandy, grenadine, lime, pineapple, and several liqueurs.
Sights of Singapore
Singapore is not very big. However, Singapore is a very unusual city that has managed to become a country. Tourists in Singapore should definitely visit the Mandai Orchid Park, which is located in the local Botanical Garden. Singapore authorities claim that there are more than 60,000 orchids in this park.
Singapore has several so-called. “ethnic” quarters – “Chinatown”, “Arab Street”, as well as “Little India”. There are many “ethnic” temples and shops in these quarters.
In the southwest of Singapore, tourists can find a reptile park and a bird park where even penguins live. Do not forget to also visit the local zoo in Singapore. It is considered one of the most interesting in the world.
Cities and resorts
Singapore is a city-state. There are no other cities in this country. The history of Singapore begins around the 2nd century AD. Then this city was called Temasek (Sea City). Modern Singapore was founded by the British in the 19th century.
A popular holiday destination in Singapore is Sentosa Island. There is a 3-kilometer white sandy beach (or rather, there are three separate beaches – Palawan, Siloso and Tanjong) with a lot of restaurants, shops, etc. Tourists might think that the sand on this beach is not very suitable for Singapore. This is true, because it is brought from the distant islands of Oceania.
Tourists on Sentosa Island can visit the Flower Terrace, the Butterfly and Insect Park, the Spice Garden, and the Terracotta Warriors Museum. By the way, you can get to Sentosa Island by cable car.
Souvenirs/Shopping
Searching for souvenirs in Singapore is not an easy task. The fact is that in Singapore there are not very many souvenirs made in this country. Lots of imported souvenirs. Tourists from Singapore bring jewelry, scarves, T-shirts, traditional clothes, spices, chocolate, Singapore Sling (a traditional alcoholic cocktail).
Office Hours
Banks in Singapore are open six days a week from 09:30 to 15:00. Some banks on Orchard Road are also open on Sundays from 09:30 to 15:00.
Supermarkets and large shops are open daily from 10:00 to 19:00 (sometimes later). Small shops are usually closed on Sundays.
Museums:
Tue-Wed: 09:00-17:30 (Wednesday – until 19:00)
Visa
Ukrainians need to apply for a visa to visit Singapore, however, if you stay in this country for no more than 96 hours, then a free transit visa will be issued to you at the airport.
Currency of Singapore
The official currency in Singapore is the Singapore dollar (its international symbol is SGD). One Singapore dollar = 100 cents. Credit cards are accepted by all major hotels, prestigious shops and restaurants.
Customs restrictions
You can import (or export) foreign currency and Singapore dollars to Singapore without restrictions, but if the amount is more than SGD30,000, it must be declared. Chewing gum and tobacco products must be declared upon arrival. If tourists want to bring a dog or cat (or other pet) into Singapore, then an international certificate from a veterinarian is required for it.
Useful phone numbers and addresses
The interests of Singapore in Ukraine are represented by the Embassy of Singapore in Russia:
Index: 121099, Moscow, per. Kamennaya Sloboda, 5 T:
(499) 241-3702
Email: [email protected]
Address of the Embassy of Ukraine in Singapore:
Index: 048623, Singapore, Land Tower, No. 16-05
50 Raffles Place
Т: (8 10 65) 6535-6550
Emergency numbers
995 – Ambulance and Fire Brigade
999 – Police
Time
The difference with time in Kyiv is +6 hours. Those. if in Kyiv it is 10:00, then in Singapore it is 16:00.
Tips
Tipping is not required in Singapore. This is due to the fact that most restaurants and hotels already include a service charge on the bill. Tipping taxi drivers is also optional.
The medicine
No vaccinations are required to visit Singapore. But doctors recommend that tourists before traveling to this country be vaccinated against typhoid fever, malaria, rabies, diphtheria, tetanus, hepatitis A and B for prevention.
Security
The crime rate in Singapore is low. However, foreigners in this country should not forget about caution. Everywhere in Singapore there are a lot of people. In addition, the Singaporean police work quite effectively.
