Overview
Singapore is the East’s great melting pot, a cultural pot pourri that leaves the unsuspecting visitor dazzled. Sir Stamford Raffles, a British civil servant, brought the ‘Lion City’ to world prominence after searching for a trading station to counter the Dutch influence in the Straits of Malacca, and trade has remained the island’s mainstay.
Centuries before Sir Stamford Raffles acquired it from the Sultan of Johor in 1819, Singapore had been virtually abandoned. However, within decades Singapore had become the main commercial and strategic centre for the region. In 1867, it became a British Crown Colony and housed one of the UK’s most important naval bases. This status remained unchanged until 1942 when the Japanese army swept down through Malaya and occupied the colony. Three-and-a-half years later the Japanese surrendered in Singapore and the colony assumed its previous status. And with the dissolution of the British Empire came internal self-government (1959).
In 1963, Singapore joined the Federation of Malaysia, but broke away in 1965 to become fully independent. The initial outlook was unpromising: Singapore is tiny and has no natural resources apart from a good harbour. However, Lee Kuan Yew (first elected prime minister in 1959 and re-elected eight times thereafter) managed to galvanise the population into building a strong, export-led manufacturing and service economy.
Tourism for Singapore has also proven to be of good economic benefit. Culture lovers thrive in this fusion of Chinese, Malay and Indian cultures - the main ethnic groups - with its assortment of mosques, temples and synagogues. Singapore presents a happy collision of opposites – grand and expensive at the famed Raffles Hotel, but low-key and cheap in the food markets of Bugis Junction and Clarke Quay.
But even in the low-key and cheap areas, Singapore remains an incredibly clean city where nothing is allowed to dull the shine – even down to the banning of chewing gum. In the last few years there has been some pressure to relax the numerous laws that have given Singapore a reputation as a prosperous but rather antiseptic and pettily repressive city-state. But Singapore City’s exciting riverside parade of bars and restaurants reveals that Singaporeans actually do know how to have fun – and plenty of it.
The natural world is never far away in Singapore, either: Bukit Timah Nature Reserve has a significant area of primary rainforest within its boundaries, while, for the adventurous, Sungei Buluh Nature Park offers the chance for trekking. Check out Pulau Ubin’s mangrove forest, a bumboat’s ride from Changi jetty, or Kusu site of Taoists’ annual pilgrimage.
Author
Simon Evans
General Information
Area
659.9 sq km (254.8 sq miles).
Population
4.4 million (UN estimate 2005).
Population Density
6,667.7 per sq km.
Capital
Singapore City. Population: 4.2 million (2005).
Government
Republic. Gained full independence from the UK in 1965.
Language
Mandarin Chinese, English, Malay and Tamil. Most Singaporeans are bilingual and speak English, which is used as the main language of communication.
Religion
Taoist, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu and Muslim.
Time
GMT + 8.
Social Conventions
Handshaking is the usual form of greeting, regardless of race. Social courtesies are often fairly formal. When invited to a private home or entering a temple or mosque, remove your shoes. For private visits, a gift is appreciated and, if on business, a company souvenir is appropriate. Dress is informal. Most first-class restaurants and some hotel dining rooms expect men to wear a jacket and tie in the evenings; a smart appearance is expected for business meetings. Evening dress for local men and women is unusual. Each of the diverse racial groups in Singapore has retained its own cultural and religious identity while developing as an integral part of the Singapore community.
Laws relating to jaywalking, littering and chewing gum are strictly enforced in urban areas. Smoking is widely discouraged and illegal in enclosed public places (including restaurants). Dropping a cigarette end in the street or smoking illegally can lead to an immediate fine.
Electricity
220/240 volts AC, 50Hz. Plug fittings of the three-pin square type are in use. Many hotels have 110-volt outlets.
Head of Government
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong since 2004.
Head of State
President S R Nathan since 1999, re-elected in 2005.
Passport/Visa
Passport/Visa
Yes 1 Yes
Yes 1 Yes
Yes 1 Yes
Yes 1 Yes
Yes 1 Yes
Passport Note
(a) Pregnant foreigners are exempted from seeking prior permission to visit Singapore. However, those who wish to deliver their child in Singapore must make a prior application to the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (tel: 6391 6100, website: www.ica.gov.sg). (b) Severe penalties are imposed on those found in possession of narcotics; the death penalty is in force for those convicted of trafficking in heroin or morphine.
Passports
Passport valid for at least six months beyond date of departure required by all nationals of countries referred to in the chart above.
Visas
Not required by nationals of countries referred to in the chart above.
Visa Note
(a) 1. All nationals listed in the chart above require a Social Visit Pass, which is issued on arrival, provided the traveller holds a valid passport, sufficient funds to cover stay in Singapore, confirmed onward/return tickets and entry documentation for further destinations. For nationals holding British and Irish passports, the maximum length of stay is 30 days; for other nationals listed above the maximum length of stay is 14 days. Visitors on a Social Visit Pass are not permitted to work in Singapore. Extensions of up to 90 days can be applied for at the time. (b) Nationals of countries not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements (see Contact Addresses).
Contact Addresses
High Commission for the Republic of Singapore in the UK
9 Wilton Crescent, London SW1X 8SP, UK
Tel: (020) 7235 8315.
Website: www.mfa.gov.sg/london
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1700; 1000-1200 and 1400-1600 (visa section).
Singapore Tourism Board in the UK
1st Floor, Carrington House, 126-130 Regent Street, London W1B 5JX, UK
Tel: (020) 7437 0033 or 08080 656 565.
Website: www.visitsingapore.com
Embassy of the Republic of Singapore in the USA
3501 International Place, NW, Washington, DC 20008, USA
Tel: (202) 537 3100.
Website: www.mfa.gov.sg/washington
Singapore Tourism Board in the USA
1156 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 702, New York, NY 10036, USA
Tel: (212) 302 4861.
Website: www.visitsingapore.com
Health
Health
No
Sometimes
No
Sometimes
Yes
No
No*
Health Care
Singapore General Hospital receives emergency cases and health care is exceptionally good. There is a large private sector. Health insurance is recommended.
Note
* A yellow fever certificate is required from travellers over one year of age who, in the preceding six days, have been in or have passed through any country partly or wholly endemic for yellow fever.
Public Holidays
Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2007-December 2008 period.
2007
1 Jan New Year’s Day.
18-20 Feb Chinese New Year.
6 Apr Good Friday.
1 May Labour Day.
31 May Vesak Day (Birth of the Buddha).
9 Aug National Day.
13 Oct Hari Raya Puasa (End of Ramadan).
8 Nov Deepavali.
20 Dec Hari Raya Haji (Feast of the Sacrifice).
25 Dec Christmas Day.
2008
1 Jan New Year’s Day.
7-9 Feb Chinese New Year.
21 Mar Good Friday.
1 May Labour Day.
20 May Vesak Day (Birth of the Buddha).
9 Aug National Day.
2 Oct Hari Raya Puasa (End of Ramadan).
28 Oct Deepavali.
9 Dec Hari Raya Haji (Feast of the Sacrifice).
25 Dec Christmas Day.
Note
(a) Not all Muslim festivals listed above are national holidays, but all will affect Muslim businesses. Muslim festivals are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the moon and the dates given above are approximations. During the lunar month of Ramadan that precedes Hari Raya Puasa (Eid al-Fitr), Muslims fast during the day and feast at night and normal business patterns may be interrupted. Many restaurants are closed during the day and there may be restrictions on smoking and drinking. Some disruption may continue into Hari Raya Puasa itself. Hari Raya Puasa and Hari Raya Haji (Eid al-Adha) may last anything from two to 10 days, depending on the town. (b) Hindu festivals are declared according to local astronomical observations and it is only possible to forecast the month of their occurrence.
