The Lion City, at the tip of the Malay Peninsula, is the cleanest, most orderly city anywhere, as well it might be. Singapore, an island-state in Southeast Asia, was founded as a British trading colony in 1819 which joined Malaysia in 1963, but withdrew two years later and became independent. Now it is one of the world's most prosperous 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's strategic location combined with a largely corruption-free government, skilled work force, pro-foreign investment and export-oriented led to a successful free-market economy which attracts international investment funds on a large scale despite its relatively high-cost operating environment.

Facts about Singapore

Ethnic Groups: Chinese(77.3%), Malay(14.1%), Indian(7.3%), Others(1.3%)
Location: Singapore, a small island with over 60 surrounding islets, is located in Southeastern Asia.
Currency: The Singapore Dollar (S$), 1 SGD = 25.941 Indian Rupee = 0.5957 USD = 0.4906 Euro (subject to change).
Population: 4 Million
Languages: Malay is the national language. Chinese(Mandarin), Malay, Tamil and English are the official languages.
Famous for: Shopping
Major cities: Singapore, Singapore Johor Bahru
Clothing: In business settings, lightweight conservative clothing, like dress slacks, a long-sleeved shirt, and a tie will fit in well. Suits are reserved for important meetings and formal events. Businesswomen generally wear knee-length or longer skirts with blouses, and understated make-up.
Major Events: Roar of a Chinese dragon at NewYear, Vesak Day in May celebrates Buddha's birth, enlightenment and death,The Dragon Boat Festival(held in May or June), The Chinese Festival of the Hungry Ghosts (September), RamadanHari Raya Puasa, The festival of Thaipusam
Things to Buy: Clothes, Electronic Items
Things to do: sightseeing, shopping, visiting the art galleries, attending exhibitions.
Cuisine: Malay, Chinese, Indonesian, Peranakan, Indian, Thai, Japanese, Korean cuisine, and more 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.

Main Attractions of Singapore

Chinatown

Among the narrow streets of picturesque shophouses and restaurants brimming with life, the temple idol carvers, herbalists, calligraphers, traders and trishaw drivers pursue a way of life that has changed little for generations. Incense stream from the old temples, the elderly spread their wares out on the pavement for sale and sea cucumbers, regarded as a delicacy, dry in the sun. Much of Chinatown has recently been renovated, but the old traditions endure. During Chinese New Year, the whole of Chinatown is lit up and buzzes with activity as stalls sell a variety of festive goods.

Arab Street

Arabs were among the first to arrive in Singapore to trade, bringing with them the Islamic religion and converting many indigenous Malay to their belief. Today the old section of the city around Arab Street provides an intriguing glimpse into the Muslim way of life. The Sultan Mosque dominates the area, a fantastic building with its impressive gold dome and vast prayer hall.

Arab Street itself is a riot of colourful textiles from all over Asia at very low prices. Also on sale, overflowing from the shop houses onto the pavement, are saris and batik, basketry, leather goods, cane and rattan, jewellery and hand-beaten brass, perfumes and a host of other treasures.

Supreme Court and City Hall

The Supreme Court was built in 1939. This refined building shelters Corinthians columns painted by the Italian artist Cavaliere Rodolfo Nolli. It is in the neighboring City Hall that Lord Louis Mountbatten signed the capitulation of the Japanese in 1945.

Parliament House and the Elephant Statue

Once a stately colonial mansion which was built in 1827. Singapore’s oldest government building is today the home of the Republic’s Parliament. A bronze elephant stands in front of the building a gift from King Chulalongkorn of Siam in 1871.

Raffles Hotel

One of the most famous hotels in the world, this Grand Old Lady of the East is fully restored to her former glory after an extensive $160 million restoration. Down the years, royalty, film stars, world leaders and famous authors have stayed at Raffles — one of the last great 19th century hotels.

The refurbished complex includes a Shopping Arcade with 70 shops, a museum showing Raffles memorabilia and a theatre featuring a multimedia show on the hotel’s distinguished past.

National Museum

Originally opened in 1887, The National Museum, is an architectural gem with each of its two levels reflecting a different order of Greek classical architecture. Of particular note are the Museum’s 20 dioramas, three-dimensional reconstruction of historical scenes and events tracing Singapore’s development from a sleepy fishing village to the present day metropolis. Another exhibit shows the world of a wealthy Straits Chinese family at the turn of the century, complete with elaborate Peranakan furnishings and finery. The Children’s Discovery Gallery is another compelling attraction, With interactive exhibits designed to explain Singapore’s cultural heritage, visual and performing arts.

Orchad Road

Orchad Road is the commercial main street of the city. Modern Singapore is truly a Western creation. During centuries, the island was populated by fishermen and pirates. In 1819, sir Stamford Raffles (1781-1826), a person in charge of the Brittanic Company of the Eastern Indies persuaded the sovereign of the Malayan State of Johore to concede to Great Britain the use of the island and of his port to make a trading post of it. It became then a significant center of export of wood and rubber and its population increased considerably with the arrival in mass of Chinese merchants and workmen.

Haw Par Villa (Tiger Balm Gardens)

About ten kilometres (six miles) west of the city, the Haw Par Villa was originally built by the Aw brothers. It is a theme park of Chinese mythology, with older exhibits of legendary figures and tableaux, currently being restored to its former glory. The Aw family's private jade collection, on loan from the Singapore History Museum, is displayed in the Jade House at Haw Par Villa.

Sentosa Island

Cable cars and ferries run from the World Trade Centre to this former military base half a kilometre (one third of a mile) offshore. It is Singapore's most popular attraction. The island has a wide variety of museums, sights and activities including South-East Asia's largest oceanarium, a Butterfly Park and an Insectarium.

Singapore Zoo

Built in the early 1970s it emphasises on natural habitat and it is a home to more than 2000 animals of nearly 250 species. The Night Safari offers an unrivalled opportunity to study nocturnal animals.