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Singapore
is a modern, affluent city with a medley of Chinese, Indian and
Malay influences and a lush tropical climate, with tasty food, good
shopping and a happening, vibrant nightlife scene, this Garden City
makes a great stopover destination. Singaporean food is famous,
with hawker centres and 24-hour coffee shops offering cheap food
from all parts of Asia, and shoppers can fill their baggage allowances
in Orchard Road and Suntec City.
Though
physically small, Singapore is an economic giant. It has been Southeast
Asia's most modern city for over a century. The city blends Malay,
Chinese, Arab, Indian and English cultures and religions. Its unique
ethnic tapestry affords visitors a wide array of sightseeing and
culinary opportunities from which to choose. A full calendar of
traditional festivals and holidays celebrated throughout the year
adds to its cultural appeal. In addition, Singapore offers luxury
hotels, delectable cuisine and great shopping!
The island nation of the Republic of Singapore lies one degree north
of the Equator in Southern Asia. The country includes the island
of Singapore and 58 or so smaller islands. Because of its efficient
and determined government, Singapore has become a flourishing country
that excels in trade and tourism and is a model to developing nations.
The capital city, also called Singapore, covers about a third of
the area of the main island.
Located at the tip of the Malay Peninsula, Singapore's tropical
climate welcomes both leisure and business travelers year round.
The island republic's excellent infrastructure enables visitors
to enjoy its many sites and attractions in a safe, clean and green
environment. Award winning Changi Airport provides airlinks to major
cities around the world. The train and subway systems are clean,
fast and efficient. In addition, its state-of-the-art cruise terminal
has established Singapore as one of the premier cruising centers
of South East Asia and an exciting port of call on any Asian cruise
itinerary.
In the city, there is no need for a car. Public transportation is
excellent and walking is a good way to explore the city . All major
attractions are also accessible by tour bus. Since the city is only
60 miles (100k) from the equator, the tropical temperatures do not
vary much. Rainfall is fairly evenly distributed through the year.
No matter when you choose to visit, warm weather will be abundantly
available. The visitor is struck immediately by Singapore's abundance
of parks, nature reserves, and lush, tropical greenery.
Singapore's progress over the past three decades has been remarkable,
yet the island has not been overwhelmed by development. Visitors
will discover a wealth of historical treasures from the past, in
the beauty of older buildings, values and traditions that have survived
in the face of profound social and geographical change.
Lacking any noteworthy natural resources, Singapore's
early prosperity was based on a vigorous free trade policy, put in place
in 1819 when Sir Stamford Raffles first established it as a British
trading post. Later, mass industrialization bolstered the economy, and
today the state boasts the world's second busiest port after Rotterdam,
minimal unemployment, and a super efficient infrastructure. Almost the
entire population lives in upscale new apartments, and the average per
capita income is over US$12,000. Singapore is a clean, safe place to
visit, its amenities are second to none and its public places are smoke-free
and hygienic.
Forming the core of downtown Singapore is the Colonial District. Each
surrounding enclave has its own distinct flavor, from the aromatic spice
stores of Little India, to the tumbledown backstreets of Chinatown,
where it is still possible to find calligraphers and fortune tellers,
or the Arab Quarter, whose cluttered stores sell fine cloths and silks.
North of the city, are two nature preserves, Bukit Timah and the Central
Catchment Area, along with the splendid Singapore Zoological Gardens.
The east coast features good seafood restaurants set on long stretches
of sandy beach. In addition there are over fifty islands and islets
within Singaporean waters, all of which can be reached with varying
degrees of ease. Day trips are popular to Sentosa, the island amusement
arcade which is linked to the south coast by a short causeway and cable
car. Music, theater, nightlife: all are abundant in this remarkable
city. Singapore used to be considered a "stop over" on the way to larger
Asian cities. This is no longer true! Visitors seek out Singapore for
business and finance and also for a fascinating and satisfying vacation
for the whole family.
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