4. Thefour official languagesof SingaporeareMandarin, Malay,
Tamil and English. English isthemost common language
used and isthelanguagewhich unitesthedifferent ethnic
groups. Children aretaught in English at school but also
learn their mother tonguetomakesurethey don't lose
contact with their traditions.
6. For almost 100 years (1845-1939) while Singapore was a
British overseas possession, the Straits dollar was the
accepted Singapore currency.
In 1939 the Malayan dollar was introduced as a means to
simplify trade by issuing a single currency for use among
the British protected Straits Settlements, Brunei, and the
various Malay states.
During World War II, the Japanese invaded and occupied
these British territories. In the process they installed their
own currency, the Japanese government-issue dollar, or
“Banana Money” as it was called for the image of banana
trees on the $10 notes.
7. Fun Fact:
Both the Brunei dollar and the Singapore dollar are currently
accepted in either country at a ratio of 1:1.When the British regained
control after the war, the Malayan dollar became instantly usable
again. It was soon replaced by the Malaya and British Borneo dollar
in 1953.
This was the currency used in Singapore from that time through
Singapore’s independence from Malaysia in 1965. Two years later in
1967, Singapore began issuing its own currency, nicknamed the
“Orchid” series.
Similar to the “Banana Money” mentioned above, the new
Singaporean currency was nicknamed for the images of orchid
flowers on the notes. Not very creative, but at least they are
consistent with their naming practices. Though the images on the
bills have changed over the years, the dollar is still the official
Singapore currency.
9. Singapore; 4,296,000
The country of Singapore, consisting of Singapore island and some
50 smaller islands, is located in Southeast Asia at the tip of the Malay
Peninsula. More than 3,000 multinational companies have offices on
this tropical island at the entrance to the Strait of Malacca—the
shortest sea route between the Indian Ocean and the South China
Sea. As a trade center of the British Empire, Singapore attracted
thousands of Chinese settlers—now 77 percent of the population.
Independent since 1965, Singapore is Southeast Asia's financial hub
and the world's busiest container port.
11. The Singapore flag was officially adopted
on December 3, 1959.
The white crescent represents Singapore
as a new nation; the five stars symbolize
democracy, equality, justice, peace and
progress; white is representative of the
purity and virtue of the people, and red
stands for universal brotherhood.
13. Singapore Coat of Arms:
Adopted in 1959, the coat of arms of Singapore
is composed of a lion and a tiger standing upon
stalks of rice and supporting a shield.
The blue ribbon at the base reads "Majulah
Singapura" ("Onward Singapore").
14. Gov’t:
Singapore is a republic with a Parliamentary system of
government based on the Westminster model.
15. The structure of the state is made up of the following:
The Executive
Head of State and Cabinet Head of State: Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam became
the third Elected President on 1 September 2011. The President is
elected for a fixed term of 6 years.
Cabinet
Led by the Prime Minister, Mr Lee Hsien Loong (since 12 Aug 2004),
Parliament is elected by general election every five years. The first
sitting of Parliament was held on 8 Dec 1965.
The Judiciary - The Supreme Court and the Subordinate Courts.The
Judiciary is one of the three constitutional pillars of government, along
with the Legislature and the Executive. As an Organ of State, the
Judiciary's function is to administer justice independently.
17. 1. Singapore is an extremely green city with
gardens, trees and jungles everywhere.
They are transforming into a “city in a
garden”, a current government campaign.
It’s also very clean due to its littering laws.
18. Still a mix of old and new, with renovated shop
houses serving as residences, offices, galleries, bars
and restaurants
19. 2. Singapore has transformed itself from a third-world,
swampy island to a first-class, modern city in just fifty years.
It’s a regional hub for corporations, with its own high tech
centers, biomedical facilities and so on.
20. The Symbol of Singapore is the Merlion, half
lion and half fish
21. 3. Singapore is a rapidly growing city-
state of nearly 6 million people. It is one
of the smallest countries in the world.
25. 5. Most of the population, about 85%, live in public housing
developments and, of these, 95% own their flats. Living in public
housing is not considered a sign of poverty and some sell for more
than one million $US.
28. Singapore Airlines operates passenger
services to more than 60 cities in over 30
countries around the world. Within Asia,
passengers can connect to over 30 cities
served by SilkAir, our regional wing. Use
the interactive route map to view our flight
itineraries.
30. Port of Singapore refers to the collective facilities and terminals
that conduct maritime trade handling functions in harbours and
which handle Singapore’s shipping. Currently the worls busiest
port in terms of total shipping tonnage, half of the world’s
annual supply of crude oil and is the worlds busiest
transhiptment port. It was also the busiest port in terms of total
cargo until 2005, when it was surpassed by the Port of shanghai.
Thousands of ships drop anchor in the arbor, connecting the
port to over 600 other ports in 123 countries and spread over six
continents.
32. 1. The 2015 FORMULA 1 SINGAPORE AIRLINES SINGAPORE GRAND
PRIX returns to Singapore from 18 to 20 September 2015. Race organisers
have made arrangements to ensure minimal traffic disruptions and improve
accessibility to allow members of the public to carry on their normal daily
activities in the Marina Centre area while enjoying the race excitement.
2. Similar to the past two years, road closures will take place over only six
days, a reduction from twelve days at the first 2008 race. Affected roads
will be closed from 12.01am, 16 September (Wednesday) to facilitate the
set up of race infrastructure. Affected roads will reopen progressively
when the race is completed with all roads fully accessible by 5.30am, 22
September (Tuesday).
3. To facilitate better traffic access, race organisers have made
arrangements to re-open roads early after the race. Taxis will also be
allowed better access to the Marina Centre area. Race goers can also have
the convenience of using the MRT with the extension of operating hours of
public transport services.
35. Go beyond the screen and Ride The Movies® at Universal
Studios Singapore®. Experience cutting-edge rides,
shows, and attractions based on your favourite
blockbuster films and television series, including Puss In
Boots’ Giant Journey, Battlestar Galactica: HUMAN vs.
CYLON™, TRANSFORMERS The Ride: The Ultimate 3D
Battle, Jurassic Park Rapids Adventure™, Sesame Street
Spaghetti Space Chase and more.
37. also known as Underwater World Singapore Pte Ltd, is
an oceanarium located on the offshore Singaporean
island of Sentosa. Opened in 1991, it has more than
2,500 marine animals of 250 species from different regions
of the world. The oceanarium is mostly underground and
it is owned by the Haw Par Corporation. The Underwater
World's ticket includes admission to the Dolphin Lagoon
at Palawan Beach.
39. a popular island resort in Singapore, visited by some
twenty million people a year. Attractions include a 2 km
(1.2 mi) long sheltered beach, Fort Siloso, two golf courses,
The Merlion,14 hotels, and the Resorts World Sentosa,
featuring the theme park Universal Studios Singapore.
41. the world's first nocturnal zoo and is one of the most popular
tourist attractions in Singapore.
The concept of a nocturnal park in Singapore was suggested
in the 1980s by the former executive chairman of the
Singapore Zoo, Dr Ong Swee Law. Constructed at a cost
of S$63 million, the Night Safari was officially opened on 26
May 1994 and occupies 35 hectares (86 acres) of
secondary rainforest adjacent to the Singapore Zoo
and Upper Seletar Reservoir.
The Night Safari currently houses over 2,500 animals
representing over 130 species, of which 38% are threatened
species. The Night Safari is managed by Wildlife Reserves
Singapore, and about 1.1 million visitors visit the safari per
year.
43. Singapore’s oldest Hindu temple. It is an agamic temple,
built in the Dravidian style. Located at 244 South Bridge
Road, in the downtown Chinatown district, the temple serves
the majority Hindu Singaporeans, Tamilians, in the city-state.
Due to its architectural and historical significance, the
temple has been gazetted a National Monument and is a
major tourist attraction. Sri Mariamman Temple is managed
by the Hindu Endowments Board, a statutory board under
the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports.
46. Unique Culture:
Singapore is a cosmopolitan society where people live harmoniously
and interaction among different races are commonly seen. The pattern
of Singapore stems from the inherent cultural diversity of the island.
The immigrants of the past have given the place a mixture of Malay,
Chinese, Indian, and European influences, all of which have
intermingled.
Behind the facade of a modern city, these ethnic races are still evident.
The areas for the different races, which were designated to them by Sir
Stamford Raffles, still remain although the bulk of Singaporeans do
think of themselves as Singaporeans, regardless of race or culture.
Each still bears its own unique character.
47. Religion:
Most Singaporeans celebrate the major festivals associated with their
respective religions. The variety of religions is a direct reflection of the
diversity of races living there. The Chinese are predominantly followers
of Buddhism, Taoism, Shenism, Christians, Catholics and some
considered as 'free-thinkers' (Those who do not belong to any religion).
Malays have the Muslims and Indians are Hindus. There is a
sizeable number of Muslims and Sikhs in the Indian population.
Religious tolerance is essential in Singapore. In fact, religions often
cross racial boundaries and some even merge in unusual ways in this
modern country. Younger Singaporeans tend to combine a little of the
mysteries of the older generation with the realistic world that they know
of today.
49. Islam
The Malays in Singapore are Muslims. A few of the Indians are also
Muslims, but even more uncommon are the Chinese Muslims.
Islam has a fundamental influence in the lives of those who follow the
Prophet of Allah, Muhammad. The religion involves praying five times a
day, eating only "halal" food, fasting during Ramadan, and going to
Mecca on the Haj (pilgrimage). Halal food means food that has been
specially prepared as according to the religion's dietary requirements.
51. Hinduism
As the Indian immigrants migrate to Singapore, they brought with
them Hinduism. The early temples are still the central points of
rituals and festivals, which are held throughout the year.
53. Christianity
One will be able to find Christian churches of all denominations in
Singapore. They were actually established with the arrival of various
missionaries after the coming of Sir Stamford Raffles. Together with
Buddhism, Islam, and Hinduism, Christianity is considered one of
the four main religions today. There is quite a large number of
Christians on the island.
55. Dragon Boat Festival, also often known as
the Tuen Ng or Duanwu Festival, is a traditional
and statutory holiday originating in China.
The festival now occurs on the 5th day of the
5th month of the traditional lunar calendar, the
source of its alternative name, theDouble Fifth
Festival.
57. a biennial garden and flower show held in Singapore. It is the
first and only international garden show in the tropics to
showcase creations from the world’s top award-winning
garden and floral designers under one roof. The festival is
organised by theNational Parks Board of Singapore, in
partnership with the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of
Singapore (AVA), the Orchid Society of South East Asia
(Singapore), the Singapore Gardening Society and
the Singapore Tourism Board (STB).
The festival features international landscape and garden
designers, florists and horticulturists convening in a single
location. This contrasts with other international horticultural
events which feature mainly domestic and regional designers
and market vendors.
60. In Singapore, food is also readily and widely available.
There are lots of cuisines to offer. We have, Chinese,
Indian, Malay, Indonesian and Western, Italian,
Peranakan, Spanish, French, Thai and even Fusion. It is
very common to savour other culture's food and some of
the food can be very intriguing. Indian food are relatively
spicier, whereas Chinese food is less spicier and the
Chinese enjoy seafood. Malay cooking uses coconut
milk as their main ingredient, that makes their food very
tasty.
