Singapore Overview

GENERAL

Official name of the state

Republic of Singapore.

Capital

Singapore.

Geography

As a country located in Asia according to computerannals, the island state of Singapore is located off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula and is connected to it by two navigable dams. The island is separated from the mainland by the approximately 1 km wide Strait of Johor, another 57 islets also belong to the territory. Singapore is mostly flat and criss-crossed by small rivers, the 166 m high Bukit Timah is the highest point. In the north-east of the island, large areas have been reclaimed from the sea, the jungle and the swamps in the lowlands have largely been cleared or drained.

Government

Republic (in the Commonwealth) since 1959. Constitution from 1959, last change in 1996. Unicameral parliament with 87 members. Independent since 1965 (former British Crown Colony), part of the Federation of Malaysia from 1963-65.

Head of state

Tony Tan Keng Yam, since 2011.

Head of government

Lee Hsien Loong, since August 2004.

Electricity

230 V, 50 Hz; Adapter recommended.

Time zone

Singapore Time: CET +9

LANGUAGE

Overview

The official languages are Chinese (Mandarin), English, Malay and Tamil. The national language is Malay. Most of Singapore’s residents speak English as their second mother tongue. South Chinese dialects such as Cantonese, Hokkien and Hakka are widely used.

Idioms

• Doctor = doctor
• Thursday = hari Khamis
• Three = tiga
• Thirty = tiga puluh
• Entrance = masuk
• One hundred = seratus
• One = satu
• One thousand = seribu
• Friday = hari Jumaat
• Five = lima
• Fifty = lima puluh
• Danger = Bahaya
• Closed = tutup
• Hello = Hello
• Today = hari ini
• Hotel = hotel
• I feel sick = Saya sakit.
• I don’t understand = Saya tidak faha.
• Yes = Ya
• My name is …?? =?? Saya nama adalah…
• Wednesday = hari Rabu
• Monday = hari Isnin
• Tomorrow = Esok
• No = Tidak
• Nine = sembilan
• Ninety = sembilan puluh
• Open = buka
• Restaurant = restoran
• Saturday = hari Sabu
• Six = enam
• Sixty = enam puluh
• Seven = tujuh
• Seventy = tujuh puluh
• Sunday = hari Ahad
• Menu = menu
• Do you speak German / English? = Kamu boleh bercakap Jerman / English?
• Toilet = tandas
• Four = empat
• Forty = empat puluh
• Wine = wain
• How are you? = Apa khabar? (literally: How’s the news?;answered with Khabar baik – The news is good.)
• How much is it? = Berapa itu?
• Where is …? = Di mana…?
• Ten = sepuluh
• Twenty = dua puluh
• Two = dua

NIGHTLIFE

Introduction

Singapore has a lively and exciting nightlife. There is a wide choice of bars, clubs, discos and karaoke bars. The alcohol is relatively expensive by Southeast Asian standards, it is cheaper during happy hour and in the ladies’ nights, which usually take place in the middle of the week. Many hotel and cocktail bars are open until the early hours of the morning. International artists often appear in the night clubs, which usually also offer good cuisine.

The most popular party areas include Boat Quay and Clarke Quay, both of which are on the banks of the Singapore River and are home to a wide range of good restaurants and lively bars. Restored Chinese junks are anchored here, where you can find floating bars and restaurants. Other well-known entertainment districts are Kampong Glam (Haji Lane is known for its shisha bars), Holland Village (here you mainly meet expats) and Club Street. In the Orchard Road area, the bars of the restored Peranakan commercial buildings on Emerald Hill Road are great places to stay.

Cultural events, street operas and theater, theatrical performances, night markets and boat trips on the river, as well as numerous cinemas offer inexpensive and varied evening entertainment.

The Singapore Zoo offers a special experience: every day from 7.30 p.m. to midnight you can watch many nocturnal animals on a night safari, which retreat to their hiding places to sleep during the day (Internet: www.nightsafari.com.sg).

CULTURE

Religion

Buddhism (42.5%), Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Sikh religion and Taoism.

Social rules of conduct

Manners: Shake hands to greet; the usual forms of courtesy also apply here. Small gifts are gladly accepted by the host or business partner. Each of the different ethnic groups has retained its cultural and religious peculiarities to this day. Anyone who pollutes streets or crosses them in violation of traffic regulations must expect high fines.

Clothing: Well-groomed casual clothing is accepted everywhere, but more elegant clothing is expected in some exclusive hotels and restaurants. Evening wear is rarely worn, but personal appearance is generally very important. Correct clothing is expected when visiting temples and mosques, arms and legs should be covered. When visiting a Hindu temple or one of the mosques, your shoes must be removed.

Smoking: Smoking is not welcomed and is seen in public transport, ferry terminals, museums, libraries, elevators, theaters, cinemas, restaurants, bars, discos, nightclubs, hairdressing salons, supermarkets, department stores, shopping malls, parking garages, markets, playgrounds, and swimming pools, prohibited in public toilets, on covered sidewalks and in government offices. However, restaurants, bars, discos and nightclubs can have a separate smoking room.

Smokers must keep a distance of at least 5 m to the entrances and exits of a building. Offenses are punishable by heavy fines. Since 2009 every single cigarette sold in Singapore has to bear a customs stamp. Smokers who are found with cigarettes without a stamp must expect a fine of the equivalent of 250 euros per pack.

Tip: Most hotels add a service surcharge of 10% to the bill, which the restaurant and not the service staff receive. If the service is good, an additional tip of around 10% is usually given directly and discreetly to the service staff. However, it is not customary to tip taxi drivers.

Alcohol Consumption: Between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m., it is forbidden to consume alcohol outdoors in public places such as parks and on the street. In Geylang and Little India counties, alcohol consumption is prohibited throughout the weekend, on public holidays, and on the eve of public holidays.

CLIMATE

Best travel time

Humid tropical climate. Warm all year round with high humidity. Increased rain during the northeast monsoons from November to January with sometimes days of precipitation. However, sudden and heavy showers can occur throughout the year. The months of February and March are best for a trip.

COUNTRY DATA

Area code +65 Area (sqkm) 697 Population 5674472 Population density (per sqkm) 8141 Population in 2015 Member of the EU No main emergency number 995