Country Focus: Singapore

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Singapore is a small island city state with a resident population of about 5.5 million people squeezed into a land area of about 718 square km (about 227 square miles). Besides the main island, Singapore has many other smaller islets. The bigger of these islets include Sentosa (a resort island), Pulau Tekong (a gazetted military training area), Pulau Ubin (an interesting island that encapsulates life in Singapore in the 1960s to 1980s) and Jurong Island (an industrial zone that is out of bounds to the general public).

The Merlion overlooking the shopping and entertainment district of the Marina Bay Area. The Merlion is the iconic symbol of Singapore's Tourism Industry. Singapore (2015)

Supertrees light up the night at Gardens by the Bay, Marina Bay, Singapore (2021)

Despite this, Singapore is a very interesting city with something for everybody. The country is a modern metropolis yet it also have relatively large tracts of green spaces including a primary rainforest and a couple of secondary rainforest right in the middle of this little island!

Singapore is located in South-East Asia and is near to the equator. This translates to a relatively hot and humid environment all year round. The rainy season typically occurs between the months of November to early January which is brought by the North-East Monsoon. This rainy season is usually characterized by sudden and heavy downpours. The drier period typically occurs in the months of June to August. These are also the months where the environment may experience haze due to the occurrences of forest fire in the nearby Indonesia island of Sumatra because of the dry weather during this period.

Visitors to Singapore are generally awed by its world class airport; the Changi International Airport (IATA: SIN, ICAO: WSSS) located in the eastern part of the island. This airport is the home base of the world renown Singapore Airlines. More than 100 airlines operate regular flights to Changi Airport. Thus, Singapore is really a very well-connected city. Singapore is also connected to its closest neighbour Malaysia via 2 land links (Woodlands and Tuas) and by ferry to several locations in West Malaysia and the Indonesian province of Riau via its main islands (Batam, Bintan and Karimun).

Singapore's multi-cultural heritage is one of the key assets that makes the country such a vibrant and welcoming city to visit. Crime rate is extremely low and corruption almost non-existent. The modernity of Singapore means that world-class public transport, health services, financial facilities and hospitality options are plentiful and within easy access to anyone; residents and visitors alike. 

Nothing tells the story better than through visualizations. Thus, I will showcase a snapshot of Singapore in some of the photos in this page. Over time, I will be publishing a series of articles on the interesting places in Singapore. These articles are written based on my personal opinions but structured to showcase the people, cultures and colors of Singapore.

Commercial buildings in the Central Business District (CBD), Singapore (2015)

Laser light displays at the Marina Bay Sands (MBS) Integrated Resort, Singapore (2014)

The St Andrew's Cathedral, Singapore (2015)

Sentosa Cove, a place where the well heeled folks gather to live and play, Sentosa, Singapore (2015)

A view of some of the islets in the southern part of Singapore, Sentosa, Singapore (2014)

Vibrant splashes of colors decorate this restaurant at Sentosa Cove, Sentosa, Singapore (2015)

White sand beach opposite the Changi Point Ferry Terminal, Changi, Singapore (2016)

Boardwalk at Chek Jawa, Pulau Ubin, Singapore (2016)


Places in Singapore to visit (on the beaten track)

Orchard Shopping Belt (a.k.a. Orchard Road)
Sentosa
Singapore Zoo and River Safari

Places in Singapore to visit (off the beaten track)
Bukit Timah Nature Reserve
Kusu Island
Labrador Park
Pasir Ris Park
Pulau Sekijang Pelepah (Lazarus Island)
Pulau Sekijang Bendera (St John's Island)
Pulau Seringat (Seringat Island)

Museums of Singapore

Asian Civilisation Museum
Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (Raffles Natural History Collection)
National Gallery
National Museum of Singapore

Articles on Singapore in this Blog
Claypot Porridge (Chinatown)
Deep Sea Fishing near Horsburgh Lighthouse (Singapore Straits) 


Shoreline, Lazarus Island, Singapore (2022)


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