SINGAPORE PRACTICALITIES

 

Facts and Figures

Area: 683 sq. km / 264 sq. miles

Population: 4,400,000

Passport Requirements

Passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond intended stay.

Geography

Singapore is situated off the southern extremity of the Malay Peninsula, to which it is joined by a causeway. The Johor Strait between the island and the mainland is about 1km (0.8 miles) wide. The Republic of Singapore includes some 64 islets. It is a mainly flat country with low hills, the highest being Bukit Timah at 163m (545ft). In the northeast of the island, large areas have been reclaimed, and much of the original jungle and swamp covering the low-lying areas has been cleared.

Climate

Singapore has warm and fairly humid summer temperatures throughout the year (approximately 30ºC/86ºF during the day and 23ºC/74ºF in the evening). There is no distinct wet/dry season but most rain falls during the northeast monsoon (November to January) and showers are usually sudden and heavy.

Language

English is widespoken. Also spoken is Malay, Chinese and Tamil.

Money

The unit of currency is the Singapore Dollar (SGD; symbol S$) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of S$10,000, 1000, 500, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5 and 2. Coins are in denominations of S$1, and 50, 20, 10, 5 and 1 cents. The currency of Brunei is also legal tender; 1 Brunei Dollar = 1 Singapore Dollar. US Dollars, Australian Dollars, Yen and Pounds Sterling are also accepted at some major shopping centres in Singapore.

Foreign currencies, traveller's cheques and cheques can be changed at most banks and licensed money changers; however, some do not offer this service on Saturday. ATMs are widespread.

American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller's cheques in Pounds Sterling. A passport is required when cashing traveller's cheques.

Religion

42% Buddhist, 15% Muslim, 14% Christian, 9% Taoist, 4% Hindu

Time

GMT/UTC +8 (Standard Time)

Electricity

230V 50HzHz

Brief History

Little is know of Singapores ancient history and what is is often referred to as legend. For example the Islands present name comes from Sanskrit Singapura, meaning ‘Lion City’ a result of a legend where a Sumatran prince encountered a lion - considered a good omen - on Temasek, prompting him to found Singapura, or Lion City. Never mind that lions had never inhabited Singapore (more likely the prince had seen a tiger)! However this led to the establishment of the region as a minor trading post for the powerful Sumatran Srivijaya empire and as a subsequent vassal state of the Javanese Majapahit empire in the mid-13th century.

Sir Stamford Raffles, a British civil servant, brought the ‘Lion City’ to world prominence after searching for a trading station to counter the Dutch influence in the Straits of Malacca, and trade has remained the island’s mainstay. Until Sir Stamford Raffles aquired Singapore in 1819 it was virtually abandoned and had the reputation of a disease ridden city. After Raffles arrival Singapore took advantage of its strategic positioning at the foot of the straits and expansion was inevitable. Migrants attracted by a tariff-free port poured in by the thousands, and a flourishing colony with a military and naval base was established.

By 1860 the population had reached eighty thousand and along with this expansion came the vast array of cultures prominent in Singapore today. Singapore's inexorable growth continued into the 20th century until 1941 when the Japanese invaded. After three and a half years the Japanese surrendered to the British but Britains right to rule was no longer assured. Singaporeans wanted a say in the governing of their country and by the 1950s the formation of a number of political parties occured Singapore moved slowly towards self-government. In 1959 The People's Action Party, headed by Lee Kuan Yew, was elected. Lee became prime minister, a position he was to hold for the next 31 years. In 1963, Singapore joined the Federation of Malaysia, but later broke away in 1965 to become fully Independent and once again, with the help of Lee, the economic success story of the region. Lee Kuan Yew resigned as prime minister in 1990 and was replaced by Goh Chok Tong, a leader more inclined towards consultation and liberalism

Along with most of South East Asia Singapore suffered economically following the 1997/98 Asian Financial crisis - in one three-month period in late 1998, unemployment in the country doubled. Today Singapore is fighting back and it is now known for its clean, modern attitude.

Public Holidays

April 14 - Good Friday.

May 1 - Labour Day.

May 13 - Vesak (Birth of Buddha).

Aug 9 - National Day.

Oct 21 - Diwali.

Oct 22-24 - Hari Raya Puasa (End of Ramadan).

Dec 25 - Christmas Day.

Dec 31 - Hari Raya Haji (Feast of the Sacrifice).

Jan 1 2007 - New Year’s Day.

Feb 18-20 - Chinese New Year.

Apr 6 - Good Friday.

May 1 - Labour Day.

May 2 - Vesak (Birth of Buddha). 

Immunisations/Malaria

No inoculations are compulsory but we recommend vaccination against Typhoid, Polio and Hepatitis A, together with a course of anti-malaria tablets.

Getting Around

Transfers: Whilst we use reputable companies to transfer our clients from place to place there may be occasions when the driver does not arrive as promptly as we may wish. If this is the case do wait for a good half-hour before ordering a taxi and call our local operator if possible.

Metro: Singapore has one of the most advanced metro systems in the world. The trains operate 0530-0300 (0600-0000 on Sundays and public holidays) with stations being served on average every six minutes. Fares range from 70 cents to S$1.60. The Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) is a modern, comfortable, efficient and cheap way to explore Singapore.

Baggage

We strongly recommend you use lockable luggage, and don’t leave any valuables in unlocked side pockets.

Airports

If you have arranged a transfer, look out for your local representative outside the arrivals area. Please wait outside the arrival area for a reasonable amount of time e.g. half an hour. If your flight was late and you think they may not have waited please ring your contact number (provided by Magic of the Orient before you depart). If your plane is delayed or connection missed please try to phone the contact number and leave the new arrival time.

British High Commission

100 Tanglin Road
Singapore 247919

Tel: (65) 6424 4200

Communications and Media

Mobile Telephones - Roaming agreements exist with international mobile phone companies and coverage is good. Internet cafes throughout Singapore provide public access to Internet and e-mail services. The English-language dailies are The Business Times The New Paper, The Straits Times and Today.

Food and Drink

Eating is classed as one of Singapores national pastimes and with such a wonderful range of foods it is not suprising. Chinese, North and South Indian, Malay, Indonesian and Vietnamese are just some of the cuisines that Singapore boasts. However when it comes to eating in a singaporean restaurant the closest thing you will find is a an indigenous cuisine called Nonya, which is a mix of chinese and Malay. Food establishments in Singapore range from 5 star restaurants to small street stalls. Don’t be afraid to experiment with the street stalls as government regulations ensure they are kept hygenic and they produce some of the best food in Singapore.

As for drinking in Singapore there is one drink every

• Singapore Sling (cocktail containing gin, cherry liquor, contreau, benedictine, pineapple juice, lime juice, grenadine and angostura bitters). It was founded in the early 20th century for the Raffels Hotel in Singapore.

Tipping

Tipping is not customary in Singapore however restaurants automatically add a service charge and government tax to bills.

Shopping

When it comes to shopping Singapore is famous for its vast range of goods and competitive prices. Singapore offers opportunities to buy anything from electrical goods to beautiful fabrics and silks.

Orchard Road is the main shopping street, but also good to try for bargains are the smaller shops and markets. Unless you are in a department store, prices are negotiable but if you are planning to buy electrical goods then we strongly recommend you go to a reputable store.

Note: A 5 per cent Goods and Services Tax (GST) is levied on most goods and services purchased from taxable retailers. Tourists whose purchases total S$100 or more from a single retailer participating in the Tourist Refund Scheme are eligible for a refund of the GST paid on goods not consumed in Singapore. Refunds may be received at the airport, prior to departure flights

Opening Hours

Shopping centres are open daily 10am – 10pm. Banks are open Monday – Friday 10am – 3pm, Saturday 9:30am – 11am. Offices generally open Monday – Friday 8:30am – 5pm and sometimes on Saturday.