Singapore

Passion Made Possible - Visit Singapore!

Overview of Singapore

History

Inhabitants of the Malaysian peninsula and the island of Singapore first migrated to the area between 2500 and 1500 B.C. (see Malaysia). British and Dutch interest in the region grew with the spice trade, and the trading post of Singapore was founded in 1819 by Sir Stamford Raffles. It was made a separate Crown colony of Britain in 1946, when the former colony of the Straits Settlements was dissolved. The other two settlements on the peninsula—Penang and Malacca—became part of the Union of Malaya, and the small island of Labuan was transferred to North Borneo. The Cocos (or Keeling) Islands and Christmas Island were transferred to Australia in 1955 and in 1958, respectively.

Singapore attained full internal self-government in 1959, and Lee Kwan Yew, an economic visionary with an authoritarian streak, took the helm as prime minister. On Sept. 16, 1963, Singapore joined Malaya, Sabah (North Borneo), and Sarawak in the Federation of Malaysia. It withdrew from the federation on Aug. 9, 1965, and a month later proclaimed itself a republic.

Under Lee, Singapore developed into one of the cleanest, safest, and most economically prosperous cities in Asia. However, Singapore's strict rules of civil obedience also drew criticism from those who said the nation's prosperity was achieved at the expense of individual freedoms.

S. R. Nathan was declared president without an election when he was certified as the only candidate eligible to run in 1999 elections. In Aug. 2004, Lee Hsien Loong became the country's third prime minister since Singapore gained independence from Britain in 1965. Lee faced his first electoral challenge in May 2006. His People's Action Party (PAP) won 82 out of 84 seats in parliamentary elections.

In Singapore's May 2011 general election, the ruling People's Action Party was reelected with a majority of 81 to 6, which was the equivalent of 60% of the vote. This percentage was viewed as promising by the opposition, as it was significantly less than in the two previous elections. After the elections, prime minister Lee Hsien Loong uncharacteristically acknowledged mistakes and pledged a more efficient government in the future.

Following on the heels of the general election, August's presidential election saw a field of four candidates from which the ruling party's Tony Tan emerged victorious. Though favored to win, Tan's triumph was not exactly a landslide—the 7,000 vote margin was the equivalent of 35.2% of the vote.

Geography

Singapore is an island country on the Asian continent. The country is in South East Asia. A flight from Singapore to Tokyo takes 8 hours, 13 hours to London/England, 12.5hours to New York/USA.

On the map below you can spot where Singapore is located in south eastern Asia. The country lies 137km / 85 miles north of the equator.

Singapore is a city state which is connected via a bridge and a freeway to the mainland of Malaysia.

Singapore is not only one island! 63 islands belong to the city state and are dotted around the Singapore coastline, most of these islands are inhabited.

The largest island (after the main island) is Sentosa in the south of the main island. Sentosa Island has many resorts and family entertainment centres such as the Universal Studios, Waterworld.

The historic Fort Siloso is also on Sentosa Island. There are several lovely beaches for a fun day out or a relaxing couple of days after the hustle and bustle of the city.

The highest natural point of the Singaporean island is Bukit Timah Hill with 164 metres/538 ft.

Singapore comes from the Sanskrit name 'Singapura' which means 'lion city'. The Merlion, the country's national symbol, has been inspired by the city's name.

Actually, the name Singapura was given to the city by a Sumatran prince who ruled in the region in the 14th century. This prince encountered a strange animal when hunting. At that time his advisors believed the prince spotted a lion. However, lions never lived in this region, but tigers! Until the 1930s, tigers could be found in the wild in Singapore, now you only can see one in the city's zoo.

"Singapore - Country Quick-facts
"

President: Tony Tan Keng Yam +977 14511001

Prime Minister: Lee Hsien Loong +977 14511001

Land area: 241 sq mi (624 sq km); total area: 267 sq mi (692.7 sq km)

Population (2014 est.): 5,567,301 (growth rate: 1.92%); birth rate: +977 14511001; infant mortality rate: +977 14511001; life expectancy: 84.38

Capital and largest city (2011 est.): Singapore, 5,183,700.

Monetary unit: Singapore dollar

Current government officials

Languages: Mandarin (official) 36.3%, English (official) 29.8%, Malay (official) 11.9%, Hokkien 8.1%, Tamil (official) 4.4%, Cantonese 4.1%, Teochew 3.2%, other Indian languages 1.2%, other Chinese dialects 1.1%, other 1.1% (2010 est.)

Ethnicity/race: Chinese 74.2%, Malay 13.3%, Indian 9.2%, other 3.3% (2013 est.)

Religions: Buddhist 33.9%, Muslim 14.3%, Taoist 11.3%, Catholic 7.1%, Hindu 5.2%, other Christian 11%, other 0.7%, none 16.4% (2010 est.)

Literacy rate: 95.9% (2010 est.)

Visa Information:

The following information are obtained from ICA, which is the authority responsible for visa matters. Please visit ICA’s website for detailed information on visa and entry requirements. Alternatively, you may email us at info@libertyholidays.com for enquiries on application of Singapore visa abroad. The visa application form is available free of charge at all Singapore overseas missions (except for non-resident High Commissioners/Ambassadors based in Singapore). You may also download the form here.

You may also wish to apply for a visa through a local contact in Singapore who is a Singapore citizen or a Permanent Resident in possession of a “SingPass” account. The visa application can be submitted online through your local contact in Singapore via the SAVE system at Singapore Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA)’s website. If your application is approved, your local contact in Singapore can use the SAVE system to print a copy of your e-Visa for you.

Visa and Entry Requirements for Foreigners

All visitors to Singapore must meet the following entry requirements: