Updated: 2019-12-19.
Republic of Singapore
Singapore is a truly unique and one-of-a-kind country for many reasons. This city-state is stretched over more than 60 islands, some of which are artificial. The country of Singapore is located in the very south of the Malay Peninsula in Southeast Asia, neighbouring Malaysia to the north and the Riau Islands of Indonesia to the south. Having a little over 280 mi² (720 km²) of territory, both on land and water, this country keeps expanding using land reclamation and is constantly on the lookout for new growth opportunities.
The name Singapore comes from Sanskrit and means “Lion City.” The heritage and history of Singapore are immortalized in its symbol – the Merlion with the head of a lion and the body of a fish. The statues of this uncanny creature are located all around the city and are considered a must-see for visitors.
Being limited in natural resources, Singapore works miracles with the little it has. It also compensates for the lack of natural resources excessively by being one of the world’s financial centers and attracting millions of tourists every year. It is well-known for being one of the safest and least-corrupt countries in the world. However, all these wonders come at a cost – it’s literally the most expensive city in the world currently.
Singapore has four national languages, which are Chinese (Mandarin), English, Malay, and Tamil; the country truly cherishes its diversity and embraces different ethnicities, religions, and cultures.
Despite its size, Singapore has lots of greenery and beautifully intertwines it with urban landscapes. The most famous attractions include both man-made and natural sights, such as the ArtScience Museum, famous for its architectural style, the Singapore Botanic Gardens, and Gardens by the Bay.
Singapore Travel Guide Information & Key Points
General points to know about the country of Singapore – demographics, important ages, phone numbers, key statistics, and more, whether you’re traveling there or not.
Capital: Singapore (it’s a city-state, so it is its own capital
Population: 5.7 million (2020 estimate)
Language(s): English, Malay, Mandarin, Tamil (official)
President: Halimah Yacob
Prime Minister: Lee Hsien Loong
Currency: Singapore Dollar (S$) (SGD)
Area: 725 km2 (280 mi2)
Dialing Code: +65
Time Zone: Singapore Standard Time (UTC+8)
Demonym: Singaporean (what is a demonym?)
Endonym: Singapura (their name for their country in Malay, the national language)
Emergency Number: 999 for police, 995 for fire or ambulance
Drinking Age: 18 to purchase
Smoking Age: 19
Age of Consent: 16
Drives on the: Left
Electricity & Adapter: 230 V, 50 Hz, Plug Types C / G / M (define)
ISO Country Code: SG
We’re constantly updating our Singapore travel guide, so check back soon if you think we’re missing something. Or, better yet, contact us to let us know! Thanks for reading 🙂
