Singapore was first mentioned in 1365 in the Javanese 'Nagarakretagama' as'Temasek' or Sea Town. In 1819, Sir Stamford Raffles, a 19th century British civil servant, founded Singapore. An official of the British East India Company, Raffles combed the Straits of Malacca for a trading station to counter the Dutchinfluence in the area. The tiny fishing village of Singapore was perfect becauseit was at the crossroads of the East and West. From then on, Singapore progressedto become the bustling metropolitan city that it is today. Located to the south of Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore is separated from Peninsular Malaysia by the Straits of Johor and from the Indonesian islands to the south by the Straits of Singapore.
The Singapore of today is a young nation with a rich cultural heritage, which is evident in the colourful variety of customs and festivals of the different ethnic groups who have made their home here. Largely descendents of immigrants from the Malay Peninsula, China, the Indian subcontinent and Sri Lanka, the people have gradually acquired a distinct identity as Singaporeans while retaining cultures, customs and festivals. Today, with close to 90% of the population living in flats and an ever-changing skyline of monumental buildings, Singapore is often touted as a concrete jungle. Yet in the same breath, visitors have been known to comment that Singapore is a green garden city. If you want to find out more about this sunny island set in the sea, why not pay Singapore a visit yourself and savour the sights and sounds of this tropical paradise?
 

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