Singapore is made up of not just one island but a main island with 63 surrounding islets. The main island has a total land area of 682 square km.
However, its compact size belies its economic growth. In just 150 years, Singapore has grown into a thriving centre of commerce and industry. Its former role as an entrepot has diminished, as the nation has increased its manufacturing base.
Singapore is the busiest port in the world with over 600 shipping lines sending super tankers, container ships and passenger liners to share the busy waters with coastal fishing vessels and wooden lighters.
One of the world's major oil refining and distribution centres, Singapore is a major supplier of electronic components and a leader in shipbuilding and repairing. It has also become one of the most important financial centres of Asia, with more than 130 banks. Business dealings are facilitated by Singapore's superb communications network which links the nation to the rest of the world via satellite, 24-hour telegraph and telephone systems.
Singapore's strategic location, excellent facilities, fascinating cultural contrasts and tourist attractions contribute to its success as a leading destination for both business and pleasure.
Breif 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 that 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"). Located at the natural meeting point of sea routes at the tip of the Malay Peninsula, Singapore had long known visits from a wide variety of sea craft, from Chinese junks, Indian vessels, Arab dhows and Portuguese battleships to Buginese schooners.
During the 11th century, this small but strategically-placed island had earned a new name - "Singa Pura" ("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 US 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.
In 1832, Singapore became the centre of government for the Straits Settlements of Penang, Malacca and Singapore. The opening of the Suez Canal in 1869 and the advent of telegraph and steamship increased Singapore's importance as a centre for the expanding trade between East and West.
Singapore had been the site of military action in the 14th century when it became embroiled in the struggle for the Malay Peninsula between Siam (now Thailand), and the Java-based Majapahit Empire.
Five centuries later, it was again the scene of significant fighting 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.
Demographic and Geographic Information
Located at one of the crossroads of the world, Singapore's strategic position has helped it grow into a major centre for trade, communications and tourism. Its geographical location is 136.8 km north of the equator, between latitudes 103 degrees 38' E and 104 degrees 06' E.
It is linked to Malaysia by two causeway bridges, and the key islands of the Riau archipelago of Indonesia are just a quick ferry trip away. Thailand and the Philippines are a short plane journey away. Singapore, with an airport served by more than 69 airlines, is very much the gateway to Southeast Asia.
General Information
Airport Tax
A passenger service charge of SGD 21 should be incorporated in the air ticket (including tickets issued outside of Singapore). If this has not been done, you may be required to pay the SGD 21 during check-in. In some cases, the airline may absorb the service charge. Passengers who are in transit for less than 24 hours may leave the airport without having to pay the service charge upon departure from Singapore. |
Baby-sitting
Baby-sitting services are provided in most hotels. |
Banking
The local currency is Singapore dollars and cents. Notes come in denominations of SGD 2, SGD 5, SGD 10, SGD 20, SGD 50, SGD 100, SGD 500, SGD 1,000, and SGD 10,000.
Coins come in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents and SGD 1.
Banking hours are Mondays to Fridays: 1000 hrs to 1500 hrs. Saturdays: 0930 hrs to 1300 hrs (some banks are open until 1500 hrs. Sundays: 0930 hrs to 1500 hrs (some banks in Orchard Road).
Most banks handle travellers' cheques and change foreign currencies. However, some banks do not have foreign exchange dealings on Saturdays.
Passports are required when cashing in travellers' cheques. A nominal commission may be charged.
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Credit/Charge Cards
Major cards are widely accepted by establishments in Singapore. Should any shop insist on adding a surcharge, contact the respective card company to report the errant shop-owner.
American Express
Tel: (65) 6880 1111
Diners Card
Tel: (65) 6416 0800
JCB
Tel: (65) 6734 0096
MasterCard
Tel: 800 - 110 0113 (toll-free in Singapore only)
Visa
Tel: 800 - 448 1250 (toll-free in Singapore only) |
Currency
Other than the Singapore Dollar, the US and Australian Dollars, Yen and British Pound are also accepted in most major shopping centres and big departmental stores.
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Drinking Water
It is perfectly safe to drink water straight from the tap in Singapore. However, for those who prefer bottled mineral water, local supermarkets and grocers usually carry a sizeable selection. |
Drug Abuse
Drug abuse is viewed seriously in Singapore. Illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances is strictly prohibited. |
Electricity
Singapore voltage is 220-240 volts AC, 50 cycles per second. On request, most hotels will provide transformers to visitors with electrical appliances of a different voltage, such as 110-120 volts, 60 cycles per second. When shopping for electrical appliances, do remember to check the voltage of the item against the acceptable voltage in your home country. The power plugs used in Singapore are of the three-pin, square-shaped type. |
Fireworks
Any individual found keeping, possessing, having under his control, discharging or letting off dangerous fireworks (including firecrackers, rocket fireworks, sandcrackers and such other fireworks) is liable to a fine not exceeding SGD 5,000 or imprisonment for up to two years or both. |
Gambling
Charity draws, Toto and Singapore Sweep lotteries, and on-course betting at the Singapore Turf Club on horse races are the only authorised forms of gambling in Singapore. All other gambling activities are illegal in Singapore. |
Hair Salons
Most major hotels provide a full range of hair styling services. Hair salons are also found in shopping centres, offering standard haircuts as well as more elaborate services like hair treatments, facial treatments, and manicure and pedicure services. |
Hotel Phone Services
Most hotels offer in-room international direct dial (IDD) telephone services. However, some hotels may impose a minimal 30 cents successful call transaction surcharge. As there are different IDD service providers in Singapore, rates and access codes are dependent on the service provider used by the hotel. Generally, local calls are charged at 10 cents for every three minutes. |
Laundry
Same-day laundry service is available in most hotels. Typically, it costs SGD 5 for a laundered shirt, SGD 10 for a dress and SGD 14 for a dry-cleaned suit. Independent dry-cleaners can be found in the Yellow Pages of the Singapore Phone Book. |
Medical Facilities
Singapore's medical facilities are among the finest in the world, with well-qualified doctors and dental surgeons.
Pharmacies are ready available at supermarkets, department stores, hotels and shopping centres. Registered pharmacists generally work from 0900 hrs to 1800 hrs.
Most hotels have their own doctor on-call around the clock. Other doctors are listed under Medical Practitioners in the Yellow Pages of the Singapore Phone Book. For an ambulance, dial 995. Visitors could also contact the following hospitals' International Patient Service Centres:
Parkway Group Healthcare Medical Referral Centre
302 Orchard Road
Tong Building #16-01/02/03
Singapore 238862
Tel: (65) 6735 5000 (24-hour hotline)
Fax: (65) 6732 6733
Email: mrc@parkway.com.sg
Website: http://www.imrc.com.sg
Raffles International Patients Centre
Raffles Hospital
585 North Bridge Road
Singapore 1889770
Tel: (65) 6311 1666
Fax: (65) 6311 2333
Email: enquiries@raffleshospital.com
Website: http://www.raffleshospital.com
24-hour Appointments Hotline
Tel: (65) 6311 1222
Fax: (65) 6311 2136
Email: specialist@raffleshospital.com
National Healthcare Group International Patient Liaison Centre
National University Hospital
5 Lower Kent Ridge Road
Singapore 119074
Tel: (65) 6779 2777 (24-hour hotline)
Fax: (65) 6777 8065
Email: iplc@nuh.com.sg
Website: http://www.nuh.com.sg
Singapore Health Services (SingHealth) International Medical Service
Singapore General Hospital
Block 6 Level 1
Outram Road
Singapore 169608
Tel: (65) 6326 5656
Fax: (65) 6326 5900
Email: ims@sgh.com.sg
Website: http://www.sgh.com.sg |
Mobile Phones
There are two mobile phone networks - GSM900 and GSM1800 - and three mobile telephone service providers - SingTel, M1 and StarHub. To make international calls, the access codes are 001, 013, or 019 for SingTel, 002 or 021 for M1, and 008 or 018 for StarHub. |
Money Changers
Apart from banks and hotels, money can be changed wherever the sign "Licensed Money Changer" is displayed. Most shopping complexes have a licensed money changer. Visitors are discouraged from changing money with unlicensed money changers.
An online currency converter service is available at asiaone. To check today's exchange rate, please click here.
Euro Banknotes
As of 1 January 2002, the euro banknotes have been introduced in 12 member states of the European Union (Belgium, Germany, Greece, Spain, France, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Austria, Portugal and Finland), replacing the 12 legacy national currencies.
If you still hold banknotes of the legacy national currencies, these currencies may be exchanged at the Singapore Changi Airport money exchange counters (American Express Foreign Exchange Services Tel: (65) 6543 2580 and United Overseas Bank Tel: (65) 6542 0388) and most money changers.
However, a lower price may be quoted in view of the additional cost incurred for redeeming the legacy national currencies at the respective issuing central banks.
If you hold travellers’ cheques denominated in the legacy national currencies, they can be cashed in or exchanged at:
• Travelex (S) Pte Ltd
Singapore Land Tower #01-02A/B
Tel:(65)6535 0111
(for Thomas Cook Travellers Cheques only)
Please note that processing will take one month
• Singapore Changi Airport - American Express Foreign Exchange Services Pte Ltd
Tel: (65) 6543 2580
(for American Express Travellers Cheques only)
For more information, including how to recognise the new euro banknotes and coins and their security features, visit http://www.euro.ecb.int. |
Payphone Services
Public payphones operated by credit card and/or stored-value phonecards can be used to make both local and international calls. Public payphones can be found in most shopping complexes and MRT stations. Local calls are charged at 10 cents per three minutes. Stored-value phonecards in denominations of SGD 2, SGD 5, SGD 10, SGD 20 and SGD 50 can be purchased from post offices and phonecard agents. To make an international call, dial the access code followed by the country code, area code & telephone number. Different telephone companies use different access codes - 001 for SingTel, 002 for M1 and 008 for Starhub. International Calling Cards in denominations of SGD 10, SGD 20 and SGD 50 are also available at all post offices including Singapore Changi Airport, 7-Eleven stores and other retail outlets. |
Postal Services
Singapore Post operates a network of more than 1,300 postal outlets conveniently located throughout the island. These outlets offer a wide range of postal, telecommunication and agency services. Most postal outlets are open Monday through Friday, from 0830 hrs to 1700 hrs and until 1300 hrs on Saturday.
Post Restante service is also available at:
Singapore Post Pte Ltd
10 Eunos Road 8
Singapore Post Centre
Singapore 408600
Open: 0800 hrs – 2100 hrs (Mon - Fri), 0800 hrs – 1800 hrs (Sat),
1000 hrs – 1600 hrs (Sun and Public Holidays)
Tel: (65) 6741 8857
Fax: (65) 6841 6085
Website: http://www.singpost.com.sg |
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Pro-Family Businesses
Traveling with young children or with the elderly? Singapore businesses welcome families. We have retailers who have will pay that extra attention to your family's needs.
For more information, click here.
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| Download the Pro-Family Business Guide for your retail needs. |
Safety
Increasingly, personal safety and security are becoming critical concerns of international travellers. The situation in Singapore remains calm and stable, and the island remains one of the safest in the world to visit.
Enhanced security measures at key installations and other sensitive places ensure that Singapore continues to remain safe. The Singapore Government explicitly states that extremism originating from religion or race has no place in Singapore and swift action will be taken against any extremist or terrorist groups or individuals. |
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted in public service vehicles, museums, libraries, lifts, theatres, cinemas, air-conditioned restaurants, hair salons, supermarkets, department stores and government offices. Offenders can be fined up to SGD 1,000. While it is an offence to smoke in air-conditioned eating places, smoking is permitted in air-conditioned pubs, discos, karaoke bars and nightspots. |
Spitting
Spitting in public places is an offence
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| City |
Hours Behind/Ahead of Singapore |
| Amsterdam |
-7 |
| Athens |
-6 |
| Auckland |
+4 |
| Bahrain |
-5 |
| Bandar Seri Begawan |
none |
| Bangkok |
-1 |
| Beijing |
none |
| Beirut |
-6 |
| Brisbane |
+2 |
| Brussels |
-7 |
| Cairo |
-6 |
| Calcutta |
-2.5 |
| Chicago |
-14 |
| Colombo |
-2.5 |
| Copenhagen |
-7 |
| Darwin |
+1.5 |
| Dublin |
-8 |
| Frankfurt |
-7 |
| Geneva |
-7 |
| Hanoi |
-1 |
| Helsinki |
-6 |
| Hong Kong |
none |
| Honolulu |
-18 |
| Jakarta |
-1 |
| Johannesburg |
-6 |
| Karachi |
-3 |
| Kuala Lumpur |
none |
| Lisbon |
-8 |
| London |
-7 |
| Los Angeles |
-16 |
| Madrid |
-7 |
| Manila |
none |
| Melbourne |
+2 |
| Montreal |
-13 |
| Moscow |
-5 |
| Mumbai |
-2.5 |
| Nairobi |
-5 |
| New Delhi |
-2.5 |
| New York |
-13 |
| Osaka |
+1 |
| Oslo |
-7 |
| Paris |
-6 |
| Perth |
none |
| Prague |
-7 |
| Rio de Janeiro |
-11 |
| Rome |
-6 |
| San Francisco |
-16 |
| Seoul |
+1 |
| Stockholm |
-7 |
| Sydney |
+2 |
| Taipei |
none |
| Tehran |
-4.5 |
| Tel Aviv |
-6 |
| Tokyo |
+1 |
| Toronto |
-13 |
| Vancouver |
-16 |
| Vienna |
-7 |
| Yangon |
-1.5 |
| Zurich |
-7 |
Tipping
Tipping is not practised as most hotels and restaurants in Singapore already levy a 10% service charge on customers' bills. Tipping is not a way of life in Singapore and is prohibited at the airport. |
Touting and Soliciting
While shopping in Singapore is a hassle-free and pleasurable experience, there are, on occasion, incidents of touting and soliciting, as well as incidents where visitors feel pressured into buying products or services from vendors who approach them on the streets. As a consumer, you have every right not to transact with any of these vendors. If you are not interested, ignore the touts or tell them firmly you are not interested and then walk away.
Here is a short list of what to be wary of:
- representatives from companies selling timeshare programmes, promising freebies or deals if you fill in a survey form, visit their showroom or attend a briefing at their office.
- representatives claiming to be from reputable department stores selling premium products like perfume or watches at attractive prices.
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Transit Passengers
Passengers who are in transit for less than 24 hours and holding valid travel documents may leave the airport without having to pay the passenger service charge of SGD 21 upon departure from Singapore. |
Trishaws
An interesting way to tour the streets of Singapore is to take a trishaw ride. We recommend that you avoid hailing a trishaw off the road. If you do, make sure that you agree on the fare to your destination before the trip commences. However, there are many trishaw tours that you can join that are run by some of the major tour operators. |
Useful Telephone Numbers
Here is a list of useful telephone numbers.
Police
999 (toll-free)
Emergencies/Ambulance/Fire Brigade
995 (toll-free)
STB Touristline (24-hr automated tourist information system)
Tel: 1800 736 2000 (toll-free in Singapore only)
CitySearch (operator-assisted Yellow Pages)
Tel: (65) 1900 777 7777
International Calls
Tel: 104
Time of day
Tel: 1711
Trunk Calls to Malaysia
Dial 109 for operator assistance or 02 for direct dial.
Toll-free lines
Dial 1800 followed by the toll-free line number (in Singapore only).
Weather
Tel: (65) 6542 7788 |
Visa and Entry Facilities
Generally, foreigners who do not require visas for entry and are visiting Singapore as tourists, may be given up to 30-day social visit passes upon their arrival in Singapore.
For more information on visa requirements, click here. To find out more about the types of visas and to download the necessary application forms, click here. |
What to Wear
Singapore has a warm and humid climate throughout the year with a daily average temperature range of 24 degrees Celsius to 31 degrees Celsius. Light and summer clothing made from natural fabrics like cotton is best for everyday wear. Casual dress is acceptable for most situations and occasions but some establishments may require a more formal dress code. It is always advisable to check beforehand on dress regulations, if any. |
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