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As a newcomer to Singapore, one feels immediately welcome as soon as one arrives at the very modern and efficient Changi Airport. Although it is a busy airport, being the hub of south Asia, it has an atmosphere quite untypical of an airport. It is very easy to navigate and if one gets lost, it never seems to be a problem! Read on for a brief introduction to your new home. The following few paragraphs should help to set the scene and to awaken your interest...............
Brief
History The earliest
known mention of Singapore was a 3rd century Chinese account, which described
Singapore as "Pu-luo-chung" ("island at the end of a
peninsula"). Little is known about the island's history at this time but
this matter-of-fact description belies Singapore's colourful past. By the 14th
century, Singapore had become part of the mighty Sri Vijayan empire and was
known as Temasek ("Sea Town"). During the
14th century, this small but strategically placed island had earned a new name -
"Singa Pura", or "Lion City". According to legend, a
visiting Sri Vijayan prince saw an animal he mistook for a lion and Singapore's
modern day name was born. The British provided the next notable chapter in the
Singapore story. During the 18th century, they saw the need for a strategic
"halfway house" to refit, feed and protect the fleet of their growing
empire, as well as to forestall any advances by the Dutch in the region. It was
against this political backdrop that Sir Stamford Raffles established Singapore
as a trading station. The policy of free trade attracted merchants from all over
Asia and from as far afield as the United States and the Middle East. By 1824,
just five years after the founding of modern Singapore, the population had grown
from a mere 150 to 10,000. During World War II, Singapore was considered an impregnable fortress, but the Japanese overran the island in 1942. After the war, Singapore became a Crown Colony. The growth of nationalism led to self-government in 1959 and on 9 August 1965, Singapore became an independent republic. Geography Singapore is
not just one island but a main island with over 60 surrounding islets. The main
island has a total land area of about 640 square km. Climate Singapore's
climate is warm and humid, with only slight variations between the average
maximum of 31 degrees Celsius and minimum of 23 degrees Celsius. Rain falls
throughout the year, with more consistent rain coming during the monsoon season
from November to January. Showers are usually sudden and heavy, but also brief
and refreshing. Population Singapore's
population of three million comprises 77.3% Chinese, 14.1% Malays, 7.3% Indians
and 1.3% Eurasians or people of other descent. The original inhabitants were
Malay fishermen, but after the arrival of Sir Stamford Raffles and the
establishment of a British trading post, Singapore became a magnet that drew
hundreds of thousands of migrants and merchants. Seeking a better life for
themselves and their families, they came from the southern provinces of China,
Indonesia, India, Pakistan, Ceylon and the Middle East. Though inter-marriages
have taken place over the years, each racial group within Singapore has retained
its own cultural identity while developing as an integral part of Singapore
community. Language There are four
official languages in Singapore: Malay, Mandarin, Tamil and English. English is
the language of business and administration, and is widely spoken and
understood. Most Singaporeans are bilingual, and speak their mother tongue as
well as English. Religion With this mixture of people, Singapore is also a mixture of religions. Singapore's skyline boasts the distinctive minarets of mosques, spires of gothic cathedrals, intricate figurines of Hindu temples gods and distinctive roof architecture of Chinese temples. The main religions are Islam, Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism, Judaism and Zoroastrainism. |
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