Singapore
Visited
At a glance
- Region
- South-Eastern Asia
- Capital
- Singapore
- Population
- 6.1 million (2025)
- Area
- 710 km²
- Languages
- English, Malay, Tamil, Chinese
- Currency
- Singapore dollar (SGD)
- Drives on the
- left
- Calling code
- +65
Country visited City visited Still to go Click a pin or country to read more. Zoom with + and −, a double-click or a pinch.
Before you go
Overview
The Republic of Singapore is an island city-state located in Southeast Asia. It is ranked as one of the richest countries in the world from the sale of electronics, machinery, tourism and one of the busiest seaports in the world.
It recorded a population of 5.639 million in 2018 and it covers an area of 721.5 km2.
Night view of the city.
History
Singapore was instituted by Sir Thomas Stamford as a trading centre for British East India Company in 1819.
During the Second World War, it fell under Japanese rule. The Japanese later surrendered it back to the British in 1945.
Afterwards, it joined the alliance of Malaya, Sabah and Sarawak in Federation of Malaysia.
It later received full independence from the Federation of Malaysia in 1965.
Food & culture
Its cultural diversity consisting of Asian, European culture and Malay. Due to this, it has different religions, festivals and cuisines.
The country does not grow a lot of crops, it imports them from overseas.
The common foods include rice, seafood and noodles.
Wildlife
The most common wildlife animals are leopard cat, reticulated python, indo-pacific bottlenose dolphin, colugos, dugong, tigers and samba deer.
Festivals & events
Christmas is celebrated by the Christians on 25th December.
Chinese New Year is celebrated by the Chinese on 25th and 26th January.
Singapore Art Festival is conducted from 15th to 31st May.
Thaipusam Festival is for the Tamil community celebrated on the full moon in the month of Thai.
Things to see
One of the most recognised tourist sites in the country is Merlion Park.
There is also the Marina Bay, which is a skyscraper with luxurious hotels and malls surrounded by flower gardens. City events such as modernistic Esplanade Theatre are hosted here.
The other is Singapore Botanic Garden, a 161-year-old tropical garden recognized by UNESCO, which is a major park attraction centre that received the International Tourism Awards in 2012.
There is also the Singapore Zoo, which is an afforested 28 hectares land for the catchment of animals with approximately 315 species of animals in it.
Interesting facts
The country is normally referred to as a city-state with one of the world’s most stable economy without foreign debt.
The port of Singapore is the second busiest cargo port in the world after Shanghai port in China.
The country has four official languages; English, Malay, Chinese and Tamil.
10 religions are operating there. However, the major ones are Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam and Christianity.
City guides
Cities & towns I’ve visited
Run a marathon in Singapore
Singapore Marathon
Singapore · usually December
An early-morning start to beat the heat, passing Marina Bay and the Gardens by the Bay.
Dates move from year to year, so check the race website before you book.
UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Singapore
1 of 1 visited. See every site I've been to.
My photos from Singapore
January 2008 Singapore & Australia
Whole trip gallery
Plan your trip to Singapore
- HotelsBooking.com
- Tours and ticketsGetYourGuide
- FlightsKiwi.com
- Attraction ticketsTiqets
- Airport parking, lounges and transfersHoliday Extras
- Car hireAuto Europe
- Mobile data (eSIM)AiraloCode DAN9406 for money off
- GuidebooksAmazon
Some of these are affiliate links: if you book through them I may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. More about this.
Neighbours
Singapore has no land borders with other countries.
