Singapore Tourism information

Singapore Trip Report

2007-06-01T21:43:00.001-07:00

On a recent business trip to various Asian countries I was fortunate enough to have some time for birding in Singapore. I spent a few hours one morning in strictly urban areas, then had a full day (dawn to dusk) birding with the assistance of a local guide. Part 1 of this report is a general description and logistics. Part 2 is a narrative of my actual birding time. Part 3 is an annotated bird list. Latin names appear only in Part 3.

Singapore is an excellent choice for a first look at South-East Asian birds. The city is very easy to get around in. There are many, but not too many, birds. English is widely spoken. The food and culture are wonderful. Singapore is a true crossroads of the world. It would be an excellent choice for a family or couple with both birders and non-birders. Those with more time or experience can find close access to other birding destinations (e.g. Johor in Peninsular Malaysia).

Recommended resources for Singapore include MacKinnon and Phillipps, A Field Guide to the Birds of Borneo, Sumatra and Java (virtually all birds--and certainly the common ones--are illustrated here); Briffett and Supari, The Birds of Singapore (a small illustrated guide showing the common birds only, but very specific to Singapore and with an excellent complete checklist attached); the Lonely Planet guide titled Singapore ( a slim volume with thorough coverage of hotels, restaurants, getting around, etc.). I also consulted, but left at home, a borrowed copy of Davison and Chew, A Photographic Guide to Birds of Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore (nice pictures of some species, excellent habitat descriptions), and Keith Taylor's Checklist of Malaysian and Singapore Birds. Good maps are published by Nelles (OK) and Periplus (better, but hard to find in the US--easy in Singapore).

Also helpful was Hugh Dingle's report on a similar single guided day in Singapore, in the ABA Foreign Field Note Series #N-123 (helpful list of birds seen, resources, and--most importantly--a strong recommendation of the services of Mr. R. Subaraj as a guide).

The company put me in a nice business hotel near Raffles. I couldn't have afforded it on my own, but there are more economical alternatives in the same general area. The Lonely Planet guide has the details. My location did make it easy to get to Fort Canning Park, a good short-period birding destination (more below).

I am usually of the "do-it-yourself" school of birding, for reasons both financial and temperamental. I have birded in Hong Kong, and less thoroughly in Tokyo, but never in South-East Asia proper. Sadly, I only had one full day to devote to birding. Fortunately, with the generous assistance of my brother John I was able to make an exception this time and hire a guide. Mr. R. Subaraj is a first rate guide for the Singapore and Malaysia region. His advertisements were familiar to me from Birding Magazine. In his ABA notes High Dingle strongly recommends Mr. Subaraj. I can now concur: Mr. Subaraj is knowledgeable, well organized, and very pleasant to be around. I also give him my highest recommendation.

A guide is certainly not mandatory in Singapore, but doing it on your own without prior experience could pose some problems, especially for those with limited time. Public transportation in Singapore is generally very good, but not necessarily to the best birding areas. Most of the more remote (and some of the best) areas either have no or very infrequent bus service Renting your own car is possible, but reportedly very expensive. Hiring a taxi for the day could work well, and would probably cost only a little more than the car rental, and without all the bother of navigation. Also, birding conditions change frequently in Singapore. The pace of "development" is incredibly rapid, and the balance of power between "developers" and environmentalists is heavily weighted toward destruction of increasingly scarce wildlife habitat. Many of yesterday's great birding destinations are now paved, ploughed or the site of a new luxury shopping mall. Other factors are the location and recognition or species, both infinitely easier with a guide. Ultimately it's a personal decision.

One do-it-yourself strategy would be to forego the lure of the long list of birds in Singapore, and just select one or possibly two good areas (e.g. morning in the Catchment area forest, and afternoon at Singei Buloh Nature Park). You wouldn't see as many birds as I report on here, and you would have many more hours of confusion and interesting and unidentifiable bird sounds, but you would be in lovely areas and see many, many bird species, perhaps 50 or so (more if you have some experience with birds of this area).

Singapore Istana

2007-05-31T21:48:00.000-07:00

Care to meet the President in his home? If you’re lucky, you just might! The Istana (or “palace” in Malay) is the official residence of the President of Singapore and just five times a year, its gates are open to members of the public.

Built on an old nutmeg plantation, the Istana was the former official residence of the representative of the British Crown. Classical in style, the Istana is a magnificent building with multiple design influences, from the ornate Victorian Renaissance to the Roman Classical, with Gothic, Chinese and Malay touches. The sprawling grounds and manicured gardens contain rare plants lovingly cared for by superintendents of the Singapore Botanic Gardens.

Singapore Facts

2007-05-30T20:01:00.001-07:00

Singapore - The Facts

Area: 255 square miles
Population: 4 million
Language: There are four official languages. Malay is the national language, English the official government administrative language, Mandarin and Tamil are also spoken. Most Singaporeans are bilingual and English is widely understood.
Currency: Singapore dollar.
Weather: Hot and humid. The daily temperature is between 23 and 31 degrees centigrade and the average humidity is 84 %.

Chewing gum cannot be brought into Singapore, even for personal use. It was banned because of the mess it creates. Eating on public transport, dropping litter and smoking in public places are all fineable offences. This is a clean and well ordered place.

The Singapore Sling is made up of are gin, Cointreau, cherry brandy, Benedictine, pineapple juice, Grenadine, Angoustura bitters and limes. It was first served in 1915 at the Raffles Hotel.
More babies are born in October than any other month of the year.
English is the most commonly used language but the national anthem 'Majulah Singapura' is sung in Malay.

Best time to visit Singapore

2007-05-29T23:08:00.000-07:00

When to Go

A steady supply of business travelers keep occupancy rates high year round in Singapore, however, some hotels report that business travel gets sluggish during the months of July and August, when they target the leisure market more aggressively. This is probably your best time to negotiate a favorable rate. Peak season for travel falls between December and June, with "super-peak" beginning in mid-December and lasting through the Chinese Lunar New Year, which falls in January or February, depending on the moon's cycle. During this season, Asian travel routes are booked solid and hotels are maxed out. Favorable deals are rare, because most of Asia takes annual leave at this time.

The Chinese Lunar New Year presents problems and opportunities for travelers. On the one hand, it's the biggest holiday for the Chinese, who make up the majority of Singaporeans, so you'll get a chance to see fun street markets, festive decorations, curious traditions, and the popular Chingay Parade. On the other hand, in the weeks leading up to the holiday, prices for everyday items are grossly inflated -- don't shop before Chinese New Year! -- and Chinatown turns into a swarming sea of panic stricken last-minute shoppers. Then on the first day of the holiday, virtually everything Chinese closes -- eateries, shops, businesses. Forget about it! Most reopen on the third day of the holiday, but many choose to stay closed for the full 2 weeks, the traditional amount of time for Chinese to observe this holiday. Not to fear! If you're in Singapore for the holiday, your hotel will still be serving meals, and you can always trek down to Little India or Kampong Gelam for some tasty Indian or Malay eats.

As for weather, because Singapore is 137km (82 miles) north of the equator, you can pretty much guarantee that it's hot. In terms of seasonal variations, you've got some months that are not as warm as others, but for the most part, they're all still hot.

What does vary greatly is rainfall. Singapore lies between two monsoon winds. The Northeast Monsoon arrives the beginning of November and stays until mid-March, when temperatures are slightly cooler, relatively speaking, than other times of the year. The heaviest rainfall occurs between November and January, with daily showers that sometimes last for long periods of time; at other times, it comes down in short heavy gusts and goes quickly away. Wind speeds are rarely anything more than light. The Southwest Monsoon falls between June and September. Temperatures are much higher and, interestingly, it's during this time of year that Singapore gets the least rain (with the very least reported in July).

By in large, year-round temperatures remain uniform, with a daily average of 81°F (27°C), afternoon temperatures reaching as high as 87°F (31°C), and an average sunrise temperature as low as 75°F (24°C). Relative humidity often exceeds 90% at night and in the early morning. Even on a "dry" afternoon, don't expect it to drop much below 60%. (The daily average is 84% relative humidity.)

Holidays

In recent years Singapore has also been building up the Chingay Parade, a colorful procession of floats, marching bands, acrobats and dancers, martial artists, and stilt-walkers who perform en parade through the downtown area. Contact the STB to find out which day they will host the parade during your visit. There are 11 official public holidays: New Year's Day (Jan 1), Hari Raya Haji (Jan 10 and Dec 31, 2006; and Dec 20, 2007), Chinese New Year (Jan 29, 2006; Feb 18, 2007) or Lunar New Year (2 days), Good Friday, Labour Day, Vesak Day (May 22, 2005; May 12, 2006; and May 1, 2007), National Day, Hari Raya Puasa (Nov 3, 2005; Oct 24, 2006; and Oct 13, 2007), Deepavali (Nov 1, 2005; Oct 21, 2006; and Nov 9, 2007), and Christmas Day (Dec 25). On these days, expect government offices, banks, and some shops to be closed.

Ringing in the New Year, Chinese-Style--Chinese New Year, a 15-day celebration of the new year according to the lunar calendar, is the most important festival of the Chinese culture and a huge occasion in Singapore. It was originally called Chun Kie, or Spring Festival, to celebrate the passing of winter and spring's promise of a fertile and prosperous growing season. In modern times, it's still seen as a chance to put the past behind and start afresh, with new hopes for prosperity, health, and luck. During the celebration, homes and businesses display large red banners with the characters Gong Xi Fa Cai, which mean "Wishing you great prosperity." You'll also witness lion dances outside businesses to attract good luck, staged by troupes of young men who don the traditional lion costume and perform an age-old dance to accompanying drum and cymbal clashes.

Outside private homes, the Chinese hang the character fu, which means luck. The fu is usually hung upside down because in Chinese the words for "luck upside down" sound similar to the words "luck arrives." Red, the most auspicious color according to the Chinese, is predominant in banners and is the color of hong bao, packets of money given to children and single young adults by parents and married friends. Oranges and tangerines are given as gifts, symbolizing gold and luck both in their colors and according to Chinese puns. Also important are noisy firecrackers, which are believed to ward off evil spirits and serve (through their noise) as a sign of life. Unfortunately, firecrackers are banned in Singapore, so you won't find much of that going on.

New Year's Day, the first day of celebration, can fall anywhere between mid-January to end of February. In preparation for New Year's Day, the Chinese pay off old debts, because debt is believed to lead to bad luck in the coming year if not taken care of, and clean their homes, sweeping the floors in a symbolic clearing away of old misfortunes. All cleaning is done before New Year's Day because to sweep on this day would be to clear away good luck. Most go so far as to hide the broom. New Year's Eve is the night of the Reunion Dinner, where family members put on bright new clothes (red colors are best), get together, and invite the spirits of deceased ancestors to gather for a meal. The central dish of the feast is the yu sheng, a raw fish salad. Once placed on the table, everyone gathers around the yu sheng, digs in with their chopsticks, and tosses the salad high -- the higher you toss the better your luck.

If you are visiting Singapore around Chinese New Year, there are a few things to note. Shopping leading up to the holiday is insane. The streets of Chinatown are a mob scene, with people chasing last minute holiday goodies. Crowds are thick and queues are long. Prices are also inflated for things like haircuts, clothing, traditional foods, and decorations -- not a good time to come looking for bargains.

On Chinese New Year's Eve, most businesses let their staff off early to prepare for the Reunion Dinner -- this is when crowds are thickest. However, expect Singapore to be a ghost town on the first and second days of the new year, when almost all local businesses, including restaurants, are closed tight. Although folks spend the first and second days visiting friends and family, the third is considered unlucky for socializing, so most return to work. Still, many "Mom and Pop" businesses use this time to take annual leave and will close for a full 15 days. If you find yourself in Singapore during this time, don't panic. Hotel restaurants are always open, and, if worse comes to worst, there's always the ethnic Indian and Malay enclaves at Little India and Kampong Gelam for good food and shopping!

Singapore Guide

2007-05-28T06:30:00.001-07:00

Malaysia Vacation guide is your one stop source of trusted updated information to Visit Malaysia.

That's right! In Singapore, you can go on a taxi tour conducted by taxi drivers who are also qualified licensed tourist guides. A first of its kind in Asia, taxi tours offer you a completely customised visit to Singapore with personal attention by some of the best informal travel guides around – taxi drivers!

Visit the sights along the Singapore River, or take in the view of the world-renowned Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay. Sample local dishes like satay (barbecued meat on skewers) or laksa (noodles in spicy coconut broth), or experience our culturally diverse heartlands where the locals live, work and play – the choice is yours!

These taxi tours can be easily booked through the taxi companies' hotline, hotel tour desks or travel agencies.

Singapore Adventure

2007-05-27T17:40:00.000-07:00

Adventure in Singapore
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Adventure in Singapore

Singapore, an amazing and fascinating island, offers an array of exciting adventure sports. Adventure in Singapore means non-stop fun and full enjoyment for the people of all ages. The island nation is an ideal destination for those who want to get their adrenalin pumped. The naturally rich, traditionally rooted and ultra-modern nation is just the place where one wants to go for that unforgettable experience.

Water Sports
Singapore has several popular water sports. Round-the-island canoe trips are part of fashion, as are the thrills and spills of water-skiing, windsurfing and sailing. Canoeing is also very popular and several private operators provide hiring facilities for canoes. Most of them are located at Sentosa Island, East Coast Park and Changi Point.

Scuba diving is another popular diving sport. Most local diving schools offer courses sanctioned by internationally acclaimed scuba-diving associations. Sports like windsurfing, sailing and water skiing are also conducted by many private operators.

Other Outdoor Sports
Cycling is the favorite recreational-cum-exercise activity on the island. Cycling paths connect several parts of the island. Adventurous forms of cycling like mountain or dirt biking are also in vogue. Bicycles can be hired at several popular places like Sentosa and East Coast Park.

Another popular sport is golf. Several world-class golf courses are scattered across the island. Golf lovers touring the island never forget to have a game or two of golf in these sprawling courses.

Horse Racing is also liked by the Singaporeans. Singapore Race Course at Kranji is a favorite spot for the lovers of the sport. Visitors have to follow a strict dress code in the public stands, but the dress code for the Hibiscus Room is smart casual.

Singapore Travel Tales

2007-05-26T17:13:00.000-07:00

The problem with underfunded short trips to Singapore is they reinforce just how many bars there are that need to be added and after 19 were added on this trip, plenty more supping options presented themselves for future visits.

So a board meeting was called, a budget allocated low on dollars, nil on sense, and Soppy packed his toothbrush and sent on his way with the explicit instruction of get drinking. Which commences in Surabaya where the not so discerning one gets so ratted in a bout of rapid fire elbow bending he gets home late from Jatim Club and in the rush to the airport forgets to take his contact numbers for the city state...

He does manage to take his plane tix and passport so we can be grateful for that and Saturday afternoon sees him in Seah Street entering the Lot Stock and Barrel where the punters are transfixed by the egg chasers on the wall mounted TV. Mostly English fans in watching the game, Soppy finds a quiet corner and nurses his beer and fading hangover, talk of hookers goes over his head and he refrains from commenting about the Leeds United memorobillia on the walls.

Next up is the uninspiring SportzBallz a couple of doors down. The LSB is your Sporting Life, a packet of Woodbines, flat caps, fish n chips with fart enducing mushy peas and lashings of ginger pop while SportzBallz is a glitzy Tatler wannabee where even the punters seemed embarrassed and wished they were elsewhere. The neon lit, back lit bar seemed incongrous on what is effectively the tradesmans entrance to the plush Raffles and sits apologetically among the admittedly tastefully renovated, but decidely low key, shop houses on this narrow street.

It had been a good while since Soppy had last darkened the door of Muddy Murphys,and given the number of cyber suppers visiting the bar on this site it was high time another visit was in order. It was from here that all started to go down hill.

The MRT to Orchard was fine, super effecient, clean, all the cliches you want about Singapore but Soppy managed to misread the signs on the way out and got himself lost in the interminable alleyways of these multi story souks that act as a magnet to credit cards around the world. The exit signs seemed to lead to yet more shoe shops and pokey little outlets selling handphone accessories...how many different press on pads can you buy for one model?

He began feeling positively claustrophibic as his frantic efforts to escape came to naught and the humiliation was too great to seek assistance. As he contemplated a life within the confines of shite piped music and bawling brats yelling 'ai yah' he was finally vomitted out into an Orchard Road that prided itself on it's non Asianess.

Singapore of course is a small island hanging off the sole of the South East Asian peninsula and within easy reach of the Indonesian archipeligo stretching across the ocean out to the Pacific.

The people in the main in this area are Muslim, trading links with Arabia got back a mighty long time, but Singapore, a state built on trade bucks the trend. The vast majority of the population are Chinese. An island in a sea of Islam, Soppy's visit coincided with the final weekend of the fasting season of Ramadhan with the eid ul Fitri festival up coming, a holiday on a par with the Christian Christmas - a time to be with the family etc...

A time of fasting and donating zakat, a kind of charity for the poor, has great significance in the Muslim calander but all is suspended on Orchard Road as Mammon replaces Allah and the Prophet Mohammed is usurped by image consultants and advertising agents dreaming up novel ways of extracting the plastic from your back pocket.

This was the world Soppy, gagging for an ale, found himself, buffeted back and forth like a small dhow in a tempest as people of all hues and shapes elbowed past without so much as a by your leave, intent only in their own little sms world...one little begger propped against a wall, arms outstretched seeking alms but receiving just the cooling draught of thousand shoppers with eyes elsewhere.

Humanity had gone on vacation, the last thing Soppy really wanted was 3 Monkeys on the ground floor of the 4 floors, where ladies of the nite conspire to empty a man's gonads and open his purse strings in a sleazy cocktail of dark lights, cold beer and loud music.

With relief, he stumbled down the steps into Muddy Murphys. Straight into a battlefield! The game long over, England victorious, a few bedraggled stragglers told the tale...mucho chest chest thumping, swing low sweet chariots rent the humid night as beer gathered in cracks on the ground. The tables smelt of stale ale but the Barmy Army cared not one iota. And Soppy did not begrudge them their moment. Having done his bit for England's football and cricket teams on overseas tours, it was nice to actually see a team bloody win something.

Thus ended the aperetif if you will. A few hours later and the research would begin in ernest. For now, it was time for somezzz's...

Singapore Travel

2007-05-25T18:38:00.000-07:00

Singapore’s government is so security-conscious that karate schools must register with the Ministry of Home Affairs. Firearms are illegal, and minor public indiscretions can land a traveler in jail overnight. Policies like these keep crime to a minimum; Singapore endured only 763 acts of street violence per 100,000 residents in 2002, compared with 4,409 per 100,000 residents in U.S. metropolitan areas.

But this tranquility contrasts with the dangers lurking just offshore. Al Qaeda affiliates have sprung up in neighboring Indonesia and the Philippines. Singapore’s Internal Security Department has linked these groups to threats against public infrastructure and Western targets in the region. Modern day pirates have also turned the international waters around Singapore into some of the world’s most lawless maritime trade routes, with the number of recent incidents surpassing levels seen in the waters of South America, Africa or the Caribbean.

Authorities have responded vigorously to security threats by cracking down on local groups suspected of terrorist affiliations, beefing up internal security and coordinating efforts between the navy and coast guard to protect ports and trade routes.

“The government is very security-minded, and has in place a number of highly efficient programs to keep citizens, tourists and commercial interests safe,” says Alex Morrison of Kroll Security International, a subsidiary of the global risk consultancy. The security precautions executives take in the U.S. should be adequate for their travels within Singapore.

Singaporean police have removed wastebaskets and dustbins from the subway and public transportation depots to eliminate hiding places for bombs and incendiary devices. They have also installed closed-circuit television in subway stations and on trains.

“The threat of a terrorist attack within Singapore’s borders has been neutralized very effectively,” says Rohan Gunaratna, a terrorism expert at the country’s Institute of Defense and Strategic Studies. Since 9/11, the Internal Security Department has thwarted attacks on U.S. military installations, water pipelines and Changi Airport.

Rough Waters
As the threat of domestic terrorism has fallen, seaborne crime has become the most pressing security concern.

The Malacca Straits, which separate East Asia from Indonesia, India and Middle East oil fields, saw 12 reported acts of piracy in the last quarter of 2004, according to the International Maritime Organization. Kidnapping has become common, Morrison says. After shipping companies stopped carrying large amounts of cash, pirates were looking for anything on board that had value, he explains. When shipping into and out of Singapore, Morrison points out, companies must secure the entire supply chain. “For example, you might have a supplier in the Philippines, at which point you have to secure the facility where its goods are packaged. Then you have to secure the area where the ship is loaded to prevent stowaways or would-be pirates from coming aboard surreptitiously.”

Prior to joining Kroll, Morrison audited safety facilities and procedures for shipping companies operating in Southeast Asia. For large, sophisticated ports, Morrison typically spent three days on a security audit, then two days drafting plans to improve security and preparedness. But on the sea, defending against piracy requires on-the-spot defensive tactics. If pirates attempt sabotage, most crews are trained to activate the ship’s fire hoses, set off rocket flares and do evasive maneuvers. These actions occasionally deter pirates, but stealthy, well-armed attackers often succeed in boarding their targets.

Flanking Singapore to the south and east, the South China Sea has emerged as the world’s hotbed of piracy. Twenty-six acts of piracy were reported there in the fourth quarter of 2004. Such incidents have spawned a cottage industry for maritime escorts. Two high-profile firms operating out of Singapore are Background Asia and Glenn Defense Marine, a maritime logistics contractor for the U.S. Navy. Both firms declined to comment for this article.

Unfortunately, none of Singapore’s ministries can ensure that private security personnel are properly trained, equipped or even willing to defend against armed pirates. When vandals brandishing knives, swords and guns boarded a 36,000-ton Caribbean freighter anchored in a patrolled area of the South China Sea last December, the antipiracy crew sought refuge below decks. The pirates broke into the storage area, looted the cargo and escaped unchallenged.

Why visit Singapore

2007-05-24T08:34:00.000-07:00

Why not visit Singapore?

The beautiful tiny city along the Malay peninsular.

No doubt, Simply Singapore got a lot of great things to offer - Attractions, foods, entertainments, shopping, cultures, festivals & events, ...............
Merlion status at Merlion park

Travel to Singapore is simply a breeze !

Singapore came a long way from a simple fishing port to becoming world class financial hub, since Sir Thomas Stafford Raffles step foots on the island.

Do you know that, the tiny historic port city call Singapore has transformed into a major tourist destination that attracts many many visitors.............

Are you excited about coming to Singapore now........?

Wanted to know more about Singapore...........
Do you know....

# Why Singapore got it name the "garden city" ?

# The story about Merlion?

# Why you see more Chinese living in Chinatown?

# Why Padang would become the seat of the government?

Be it, you are new traveler or regular visitor. I know that you would like to find out more about our tiny island, the people and their cultures.

And many more .......

Why don't let me show you some wonderful time in Singapore, understand the cultures of each individual ethical group.

Understand Singapore history and it's culture. you will enjoy Singapore better.

Let me show you how to have fun in Singaporean style. Enjoy the simply Singapore way.

Most importantly, let you know about the deep secret which truth Singaporean love about doing it. What is Singapore #1 past time?

Singapore Tourism Information

2007-05-23T05:32:00.001-07:00

Singapore Tourist Guides — Introduction
Fort Siloso

Singapore may be small, but packs in quite a punch. Only about 655 square kilometers in area, it is one of the most densely populated cities in the world, with about 6430 people per square kilometer. Although it is one of the 20 smallest countries in the world, its economy is a world leader, and has the world's busiest port in terms of tonnage handled.

Today the financial and technological hub of South East Asia, Singapore was once a sleepy Malay fishing village, which came into its own as a British trading colony in the 1800's. The population is a mix of Malays, Chinese and Indians with a smattering of other ethnic nationalities. There are four official languages in Singapore - Mandarin, Tamil, Malay and English. The Chinese ethnic population is originally from South-east China from the provinces of Fukian and Guangdong. Immigrants from the Malaysian peninsula, Sumatra, Java and other islands of the Malay Archipelago have thronged the state. About two-thirds of the Indians are Tamil, with a smattering of Malayalis, Punjabis and Gujratis.

Singapore consists of one main island, and 58 smaller ones. The terrain is flat lowland, the highest point being Bukit Tima Hills, standing at 164 meters. Its climate is hot (ranging between 22 and 30 degrees centigrade) and muggy (humidity remains at 75%). The rainy season is from November to January, although being near the equator, intermittent rains occur throughout the year.

Although about 50% of the land is occupied by vertical urban settlements in modern skyscrapers, Singapore has a thriving agricultural economy specializing in rubber, copra, fruit, orchids, vegetables, poultry, eggs and fish. It is the world's largest exporter of ornamental fish. It has thriving industries of electronics, chemicals, financial services, oil drilling equipment, rubber processing, food processing, ship repair and other industries, with the economy heavily dependant on its electronics and manufacturing exports.

With typical Singapore control and determination, the government has made up for its lack of natural flora and fauna by building gardens and zoos, waterfalls and underwater parks. Singapore has one of the best zoos in the world, and has the world's highest man made waterfall in Jurong Park, standing at 30 meters. The Bird sanctuary in Jurong even has simulated tropical thunderstorms.

* Location: South East Asia, at the tip of the Malayan Peninsula
* Geographic coordinates: 1 22 N, 103 48 E
* Terrain: Lowland, gently undulating central plateau with water catchment area and natural preserves.
* Religions: Buddist, Muslim, Christian, Hindu, Sikh, Taoist, Confucians
* Country Name: Republic of Singapore
* Government type: Parliamentary republic

Next: Map
Latest News for Singapore

Singapore 21:26 May 22, 2007
# Oil prices steady at mid-$65 a barrel
Crude oil supplies were forecast to drop by 200,000 barrels, and distillate stocks, which include heating oil and diesel fuel, were expected to increase by an average of 900,000 barrels.
# IBM, Chartered, Samsung, Infineon and Freescale Expand Technology Agreements
The joint development agreements between these companies will now include 32-nanometer ( nm) bulk complementary metal oxide semiconductor ( CMOS) process technologies and joint development of process design kits ( PDKs) to support that tech