Legend has it that Singapore dates to 1299, when a Malay prince landed here after a storm; since he was met with lions, he founded the kingdom of Singapura, meaning “Lion City”. Modern Singapore, however, dates to 1819, when an administrator of the East India Company, Thomas Stamford Raffles, sought to make it a British colony, in view of its important strategic position.
The city expanded rapidly under British rule, and following independence, Singapore became part of Malaysia. It was subsequently expelled from Malaysia for political differences, and has been an independent state since August 9, 1965.
Singapore sits mostly on an island surrounded by an archipelago of 62 smaller islands, on an area of just 641 square kilometers, making it the second most densely populated state in the world after the Principality of Monaco. It also has the largest number of millionaires per head of population. Singapore is a tax haven and a financial powerhouse, and its port is one of the busiest in the world.
This limited territory has forced Singapore to expand upwards, so the city boasts a huge number of splendid skyscrapers. Do not be taken in by this futuristic skyline, however, because Singapore is also a paradise for nature lovers, with its wonderful Gardens by the Bay, magnificent zoo and safari park, numerous tropical parks and white sand beaches.
The distinctive feature of the city, however, is its multi-ethnic population: the majority of the five million inhabitants are of Chinese, Malay and Indian origin, but there are also numerous other ethnic groups present, from both Asia and Europe. 42% of the resident population is foreign, so in the Chinese, Indian or Islamic neighborhoods, you can find fascinating Buddhist or Hindu temples or delightful mosques, as well as some of the finest history and contemporary art museums in Southeast Asia.
An interesting fact: Singapore is probably the cleanest city in the world. To make sure the streets don’t get dirty, smoking is forbidden, as indeed is chewing gum…
So get ready to visit the wonders of this splendid city.
Enjoy your stay!
