The capital city: Singapore
The longest river: Kallang River (10km)
The highest point: Bukit Timah (163.63 m)
Singapore is a small urban state located on an island that is separated from the Malaysian peninsula by the narrow Johor Strait in Southeast Asia. It has a total of 62 adjacent islands.
The island is slightly wavy and Bukit Timah Hill is situated in the middle, reaching a height of 163.63 meters above sea level. The islands are spread by the fact that the surrounding sea is gradually filled with sand. From 1965 to 2015, Singapore’s area increased from 580 km² to 710 km² (an additional 55 km² is planned to be increased by 2030).
With a population of over 5.5 million people, it is a very crowded state. Unlike many other densely populated countries, Singapore has a green area of more than 50%. There are over 50 large parks and 4 nature reserves.
Straits of Johor – is in the south of the Malaysian Peninsula, which separates Singapore from the Malaysian Sultanate of Johor. It is 50 km long and 1 km wide. To the west, it ends at the boundary of the Straits of Singapore and Malacca, and to the east, it leads to the Singapore Strait with the Johor River. There are 2 communications across the Strait.
Districts
- Riverside – Singapore’s colonial core, with museums, statues, theatres, restaurants, bars, and clubs.
- Orchard Road – a 2.2 kilometer-long major road with lots of shopping malls.
- Marina Bay – the newest feature of Singapore, a large public garden with a cluster of gigantic Super Trees.
- Bugis and Kampong Glam – Singapore’s old Malay district
- Chinatown
- Little India
- Balestier, Newton, Novena and Toa
Poyoh – budget accommodations and Burmese temples - North – the northern part of the island, also known as Woodlands. Singapore Zoo is located here.
- West – the western part of the island
- Jurong – home to Nanyang Technological University, Singapore Bird Park, Singapore Science Centre, and Singapore Discovery Centre.
- North East – home to many residential towns with a heart of Serangoon NEX, Hougang Mall, and Compass Point
- Tampines – a residential town located in the heartlands, close to Changi Airport.
- East Coast – the true home of Singapore’s Malays.
- Sentosa – the gate to Disneyland and Universal Studios.
- North West – the military training areas
Climate
Since Singapore is just 1.5 degrees north of the equator, its weather is usually sunny without significant seasons.
Most rainfall occurs during the northeast monsoon (from November to January).
From May to October, forest fires on neighboring Sumatra cause dense haze, which regularly reaches unhealthy levels in Singapore, so it is not recommended to travel to Singapore in these months (especially people with chronic heart and lung disease).
Temperatures are relatively high during the day and wind can be expected during the night. Remember that staying outside for more than 1 hour can be exhausting, especially if you are doing any physical activity.
Local residents avoid the heat and, on the contrary, they stay in air-conditioned apartments, work in air-conditioned offices, travel in the air-conditioned metro to air-conditioned shopping centers.
This climate is suitable for growing some species of plants – such as durian. This plant must not be carried to government buildings and subways in Singapore due to its famous smell.
Economy
Singapore is one of the world’s most advanced economies. It is a financial, commercial and transport center of world importance. Together with Hong Kong, Taiwan,
The local port is the world’s second largest container sea shipping. The country’s economy is highly dependent on exports. The country is characterized by low unemployment rates and exceptional quality of life.
Asian Tigers – Identifies 4 newly industrialized Asian countries with fast economic growth. All countries have undergone rapid industrialization since the early 1960s. Similarly referred to groups or economies are for example: Baltic Tigers, Celtic Tiger or Gulf Tiger.