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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