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Singapore Travel Guides |
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| Full country name : Republic of Singapore |
| Area : 683 sq km (266 sq mi) |
| Population : 4.1 million (growth rate 1.15%) |
| People : 77% Chinese, 14% Malay, 8% Indian |
| Language : English, Malay, Mandarin and Tamil |
| Religion : 42% Buddhist, 15% Muslim, 14% Christian, 9% Taoist, 4% Hindu |
| Government : Parliamentary democracy |
| President : SR Nathan |
| Prime Minister : Goh Chok Tong |
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| GDP : US$85 billion |
| GDP per head : US$20,700 |
| Annual growth : 4% |
| Inflation : 1% |
| Major industries : Manufacturing, electronics, chemicals, trade, business and financial services, shipping, tourism, construction |
| Major trading partners : US, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea |
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| Visas : Most Western nationals either do not require a visa at all or do not require a visa for a social stay of up to 90 days. A 30-day permit is issued on arrival, and extensions are difficult to obtain. |
| Health risks : Hepatitis A |
| Time : GMT/UTC+8 |
| Electricity : 220-240V, 50 Hz |
| Weights & measures : Metric with local variations |
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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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