COUNTRY FACTS
REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE
GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION
| Location: | Southeastern Asia, between Malaysia and Indonesia |
| Land area: | 647.5 square kilometres |
| CLIMATE |
| General description: | Hot, humid and rainy; no pronounced dry or wet seasons; most rainfall in December; hottest months are July and August. |
| Daily temperatures: | 24 - 31° Celsius |
| * Suggested attire: | Light clothing in general; certain establishments may require formal attire. |
| ADMINISTRATION |
| Population: | Approx. 3.9 million |
| Main ethnic groups: | Chinese, Eurasian, Indian, Malay |
| Main religions: | Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Taoist |
| Language: | English is widely spoken, Chinese & other dialects, Malay, Tamil |
| Currency: | 1 Singapore dollar (S$) = 100 cents; available in denominations of $1, $2, $5, $10, $20, $50, $100; coins in 1 cent, 2 cents, 5 cents, 10 cents, 20 cents, 50 cents, and $1. |
| Exchange rate: | US$1 = approx. S$1.70 (1 September 99) |
| Tipping | Tipping is not a way of life in Singapore. It is prohibited at the airport and discouraged in hotels and restaurants where there is a 10% service charge. |
| GST Refund Scheme | Upon departure at Changi Airport, visitors can claim immediate GST refunds through Global Refund Singapore (GRS). To qualify for a refund, visitors have to spend a minimum of S$300 at any shop or retail chain displaying the ‘Tax-free Shopping’ logo and ask for your tax-free Shopping Cheque. |
| GETTING AROUND - THE MAIN MODES OF TRANSPORT | |
| Bus: | Singapore has an extensive bus network; bus numbers and route
details are displayed at most bus-stops; Operation hours are from about 6am to a little past midnight. Fares range from S$0.50 to S$1.60; no change is given on buses; MRT stored-value/Transitlink tickets can be used on buses; a Singapore Explorer MRT ticket purchased at S$5 for a 1-day pass and S$12 for a 3-day pass is valid for unlimited travel on buses. |
| Mass Rapid Transit (MRT): | A train network spanning the island; operates at intervals of
between 3 and 8 minutes along 4 main lines - East, West, North and South. Operation hours are from about 6am to a little past midnight. Fares range from S$0.60 to S$1.60; single-ride tickets can be purchased at stations; stored-value tickets can be purchased at stations; a souvenir ticket for S$6 can be purchased; |
| Taxi: | There are over 13,000 taxis on Singapore roads; all fares are
metered; Operation hours are 24 hours a day. Flag-down fare is S$2.40; midnight surcharge of 50% of metered fare from midnight to 6am; surcharge of S$3 for journeys from the airport; Restricted Zone surcharge of S$1 from 4 and 7pm on weekdays, and 12 to 3pm on Saturdays; Credit Card surcharge of 10% on metered fare; telephone booking charge of S$2.20 - additional S$1 for bookings made at least 1/2 hour in advance; London / station-wagon taxis an extra S$1. |
| Airbus: | Service plying between the airport and hotels in the Orchard
Road area; Airbuses are air-conditioned and equipped with luggage compartments to cater to
travellers. Operation hours are from 6am to midnight. Fares are S$5 for adults, S$3 for children below 12 years; tickets can be purchased on-board the Airbus, at selected hotels and at Airbus counters at the airport; Airbus schedules are also available; no change is given on Airbuses - it is advisable to have the exact change. |
GOING PLACES |
| Night Safari | The world’s first and only Night Safari, an exciting adventure combining the comfort of a zoo environment and the vastness of a national wildlife park. Weave along two loop roads by trams or walk along trails to see some 1,200 nocturnal animals under some artificial lighting. |
| Jurong BirdPark | A beautifully landscaped park with over 8,000 birds creatively displayed. The scenic Panorail ride fives an overview. Be sure to catch the Waterfall Aviary. |
| Mount Faber Park | This 56-hectare park offers breathtaking panaromic views of Singapore and beyond. From here, cable cars can be taken to Sentosa Island. The park is covered by a lush secondary rainforest. |
| Sentosa | Singapore’s resort with beaches, Musical Fountain, orchid gardens, Fort Siloso, butterfly park, etc. Plunge into the wild, wet world of Fantasy Island, complete with water rides and slides. The adventure continues at UnderWater World, Asia’s largest tropical oceanarium. |
| Little India / Chinatown/ Geyland Serai | These areas are a microcosm of the rich Indian, Chinese, Malay heritage and culture in Singapore. Here, one can find streets lined with shops selling ethnic clothing, exquisite crafts, and authentic Asian food. |
SHOPPING VENUES |
| Shopping Malls | For those who love to shop, Singapore is the place to be. Be it international brands or local designers, Singapore lives up to it reputation as a shopping paradise. With a host of shopping malls located in the shopping belt of Orchard Road like Centrepoint, Ngee Ann City, Paragon, Tangs, The Heeren, Wisma Atria, to name a few, you’ll be spoilt for choice. There are also many neighbourhood shopping malls. Just remember to put on comfortable shoes! |
| GOOD EATING |
| Dining Out | Singapore has been known as a food haven and there is certainly no shortage of choices. Be it breakfast, lunch, tea, dinner, or supper… a treat awaits gourmets and gourmands alike. With so many different ethnic groups in the country, the range of cuisine is incredible. Bon Appetit! |
Compiled from information in the following websites: