Susanne A former British colony that gained independence in 1965, Singapore is a city state that is located at the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula on 63 islands. Most people in Singapore are of Chinese, Malay or Indian background which has created a very diverse and colourful culture. The city is a leading financial centre and has one of the world’s busiest ports. Singapore is very affluent and one of the safest major cities in the world. A map of Singapore will explain its unique geographical location.
Singapore is often called the “Garden City” because it abounds with colorful tropical flowers. Although Singapore is a small country with a population of only 4.3 million people, it is a popular destination for shopping, eating and sightseeing. Popular attractions include the Esplanade Theatre in Marina Bay, a top notch theatre for performing arts and home of the Singapore Symphony Orchestra. The island resort of Sentosa attracts five million visitors a year with its golf courses, historic Fort Seloso, the Tiger Sky Tower (Singapore’s highest observation tower) and the Universal Studios Singapore theme park.
The weather in Singapore is hot and humid throughout the year. Given its tropical rainforest climate, there are no distinctive seasons and temperatures fluctuate on average between about 23 °C at night and 32 °C during the day (73 to 90 °F) throughout the year. The hottest season is April and May, and monsoon season reigns from November to January with lots of precipitation. The best time to visit Singapore is May to July during dry season.
Here are some of Singapore’s most popular sights:
- The Riverside District is where colonial architecture, museums and theatres are concentrated. You can also find lots of restaurants and bars in this area. The south bank is dominated by the banking district with its many high rise towers.
- Little India: Located in the northern part of Singapore, Little India is the centre of the Indian community, and an attractive and colorful area where you can buy saris and Indian accessories, eat spicy Indian food and hear Indian music everywhere on the street. One of the most well-known attractions in this area is the Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple whose current version was built in 1986 while an earlier structure was built by Indian pioneers in 1881. It is one of the oldest temples in Singapore.
