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Full Name
Republic of Singapore
Area
683 sq km
264 sq miles
Population
4,500,000
Time Zone
GMT/UTC +8 (Standard Time)
Daylight Saving Start
not in use
Daylight Saving End
not in use
Languages
English (official)
English is widespread. Children are taught English at school but also learn
their mother tongue to make sure they don't lose contact with their traditions.
The only communication problem English-speakers are likely to have in Singapore
is with older Singaporeans who did not learn English at school, though
trying to understand the unique patois called Singlish - which uses a clipped
form of English mixed with Malay and Hokkien words - can be taxing.
Malay (official)
Mostly restricted to the Malay community.
Chinese (official)
Chinese dialects, such as Hokkien, Teochew, Cantonese, Hainanese and Hakka,
are still widely spoken. The government's long-standing campaign to promote
Mandarin has been very successful and increasing numbers of Chinese now
speak Mandarin at home.
Tamil (official)
Tamil is the main Indian language, though Malayalam and Hindi are also
spoken.
Religion
42% Buddhist, 15% Muslim, 14% Christian, 9% Taoist, 4% Hindu
Currency
Singapore Dollar (S$)
Electricity
230V 50HzHz
Electric Plug Details
British-style plug with two flat blades and one flat grounding blade
Country Dialing Code
65
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Best Seasons :
Go anytime. Climate is not a major consideration, as Singapore gets fairly steady annual rainfall. You may like to co-ordinate your visit with various festivals and events: Thaipusam is one of the most spectacular festivals, occurring around February. If shopping and eating are your major concerns, July is a good month as the Singapore Food Festival and Great Singapore Sale are held then. |
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Festivals and Events :
Singapore's polyglot population celebrates a number of festivals and events. Chinese, Hindu and Muslim celebrations follow a lunar calendar so dates of festivities vary from year to year. Chinese New Year, in January or February, is welcomed in with dragon dances, parades and much good cheer. Chinatown is lit up and there are fireworks and night markets. During Ramadan, food stalls are set up in the evening in the Arab St district, near the Sultan Mosque. Hari Raya Puasa, the end of Ramadan in January or February, is marked by three days of joyful celebrations. Vesak Day in April or May celebrates Buddha's birth, enlightenment and death. It is marked by various events, including the release of caged birds to symbolise the setting free of captive souls. The Dragon Boat Festival, held in May or June, commemorates the death of a Chinese patriot who drowned himself as a protest against government corruption. It is celebrated with boat races across Marina Bay, accompanied by much eating of rice dumplings.
The Festival of the Hungry Ghosts is usually celebrated in September. This is when the souls of the dead are released for feasting and entertainment on earth. Chinese operas are performed for them and food is offered; the ghosts eat the spirit of the food but thoughtfully leave the substance for the mortal celebrants. The festival of Thaipusam is one of the most dramatic Hindu festivals and is now banned in India. Devotees honour Lord Subramaniam with acts of amazing body-piercing masochism - definitely not for the squeamish. In Singapore, devotees march in procession from the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple on Serangoon Rd to the Chettiar Hindu Temple on Tank Rd. Dates for the festival are based on the lunar calendar.
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Singapore Travel Guides
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