Singapore

• Singapore

The city-state of Singapore is located in Southeast Asia on a large island, which is almost completely covers the country's capital and 58 very small islands, which are located nearby. Many of the islands that make up Singapore, have no permanent population. The island of Singapore is so small that it has gone in only one country - Singapore, and in the country fit only one city - Singapore. Singapore named one of the 25 happiest countries in the world and the happiest country in Asia.

The name Singapore comes from the ancient Sanskrit simha, which means lion and pura, which translates as a city. In other words, answering the question "where is Singapore?" One can imagine the city of Lviv, located on an island close to Malaysia and Indonesia. Influence of lions on the culture and development of the city is very large. Along with widespread in eastern Asia Dragon Culture, on the island is extremely widespread cult of the lion, adherence to which is only Ethiopia can compete.

Once upon a time in the territory of the main island, tropical forests grew, but under the influence of civilization on them remained only the mangroves on the coast and small tracts of forests and parks in the city. On the other islands, which are part of the state, tropical vegetation is preserved much better.

On the islands of the State of Singapore is dominated by tropical climate. But the influence of ocean winds softens the tropical heat. There rarely fixed temperature above 27 ° C. Officially the wet season is during the winter months from November to February, when the increased probability of rain, and the air temperature drops to 25-26 degrees. The peak of the hot season is in May - July: the air temperature during this period - about 34-36 degrees, but at this time may be unexpected strong, but very short warm tropical rains that refresh the city. In general, the climate in Singapore allows you to feel comfortable all year round.

Dzhahorsky narrow strait separates the island from the mainland to Malaysia, but much wider Malacca - Indonesia. In Malaysia, residents of Singapore can be reached by foot after passing over the bridge.

The island is well located on the sea trade route between India and China. Before receiving the name of the island called Singapore Tumasik, which means "port" or "sea town". Here lived the Malays, who were engaged in trade and fishing. In the XIII century, a descendant of an Indian prince ruler Shryvidzhaya Empire founded the city of Singapore. In the middle of the XIV century, the city was sacked and destroyed by the army of the Javanese Majapahit empire. Thereafter, for several centuries over the island belonged to various rulers, but to revive the city no one wanted. When in the early nineteenth century, the British landed on the island is home to several fishing families, many pirates and countless rats.

The revival of the island began after the appointment of the Governor of the island Stamford Raffles. He rebuilt the city, turning it into a large port. He proposed the creation of separate quarters for the Malays, Indians and Chinese, making it impossible to ethnic clashes.

In 1824, Singapore was declared a British colony. The state was actively developed because the British authorities to grant the city a free port status. During the Second World War the Japanese occupied Singapore and called it Sonan. After the war in the territory of Singapore by the British authorities returned. In 1963, Singapore joined the Federation of Malaysia, which was then already a sovereign state. But already in 1965, Singapore is completely separated from Malaysia and became an independent state. Currently, Singapore republic with a parliamentary form of government headed by the president playing rather more representative role. Executive power is in the hands of the Cabinet, headed by Prime Minister of the country.

Singapore successfully used the convenient geographical location and turned into a "flourishing" state. There are built underground, a lot of comfortable hotels. Most of the population of Singapore engaged in banking, trade, service and tourism infrastructure and production complex electronics that are exported to different parts of the world. But the country has to import everything, even drinking water. In the depths of the country's non-existent minerals. While in the country operate oil refineries and chemical plants, are working on imported raw materials, bring the country's budget is slightly smaller than the electrical, but still handsome profit.

Information

Smoking in public places (including at public transport stops and within a radius of five meters from them) - a fine of from 200 to 1000 SGD.

Throwing litter and spitting in public places on the streets - SGD 1,000 for the first violation, up to 2000 SGD at repeated 5,000 SGD when the third and each subsequent.

Daylight road in the wrong place - 20 SGD.

Being drunk in public places, near the state and religious institutions, police stations - SGD 1,000 or imprisonment for up to a month for the first violation, $ 2,000 or up to three months imprisonment in case of repeated violations.

Any act of vandalism (causing inscriptions, drawings, sticking posters on private or public property) - SGD 2,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years, plus - from three to eight strokes of the cane.

Singapore port is the largest port by cargo turnover in the world. SGT ahead of Moscow for 4 hours in summer and 5 - in the winter. Singapore is very loved and valued national holidays. The most famous national holiday - it's Independence Day, which is celebrated on 9 August. The number of tourists who visited Singapore, more than the number of local residents. For them to build a huge hotel with comfortable apartments, where the latest technologies are applied. The town is striking in its purity. Violators risk purity to pay a huge fine for smoking in the wrong place, thrown out on the street garbage and even chewing gum. Punished equally for both locals and tourists for the very wealthy.

For shopping lovers there is the main shopping street - Orchard Road. In many stores you can buy whatever they want, because there is everything.

It is often said that Singapore is Asia in miniature. The country has more than three million people. Among them, Chinese account for almost 77%, Malayan - 15%, Indians - 6%. Singapore remained quarters by more Governor Raffles. Each of them has its own ethnic features. So "Chinatown" or "Chinese City" is released a large number of mirrors, which should protect them from evil spirits, curved roofs on houses, a large number of Buddhist temples. On the streets there are mobile pharmacies that sell medicinal ointments and medicated wine. A part of India is a quarter Seragun. Here everywhere the air is filled with spicy aromas. On the benches near the houses sit swarthy men with cigars. Walk the streets flexible women dressed in sari with flowers in her hair. About Muslim world reminds quarter Arab Street where Malaysians live. Here the smell of coffee, towering minarets of mosques. With the approach of the time of traditional prayers residents quarter rushing to mosques, sometimes even closing houses and shops.

Tired of exotic tourists can visit both on a fully European city streets. Many hotels around the equipment Cricket Ground. The parks established a variety of attractions. For families with children the best place is the Singapore Zoo. Here the animals, even carnivores, contains no cells, are used only natural barriers. A night for the visitors of the zoo arranged attraction "Night Safari", during which you can see how wild animals are hunted predators. Singapore is amazingly beautiful orchid park. Here visitors are offered unusual gifts - gold orchids, which are created by coating a natural flower gold layer. This flower will never fade and will remain a pleasant reminder of the extraordinary park. This park is for Singapore undeniable cultural and historical value. On the island of Sentosa is located coral museum, butterfly park and the largest oceanarium in Asia, which collects the inhabitants of tropical seas.

Aborigines Singapore were Malay fishermen, so the Malay language is still the state. Four is the official language in Singapore: Malay, Chinese (Mandarin), Tamil and English. Working language, education, law and interracial communication is English. Indigenous people - Malays, today make up only a small percentage of the total population. Most of its residents - immigrants from China, India and the Arab States. Peaceful blending of all these cultures has led to the appearance of their own, originality, unique to Singapore.

Modern Singaporeans are very hardworking, in great shape and are proud of the successes that have reached their small island country in its short history. Police officers in plain clothes go to Singapore. Therefore, at first glance it seems that they are here and not at all. But should violate at least one of the many laws - will make quickly lay out a tidy sum.

Details

In Singapore, you can safely drink water from the tap.

All labels in Singapore doubled in four languages: English, Chinese, Malay and Tamil.

Singapore - a very green city. There's a lot of parks and condominiums, just very green.

In Singapore, the two types of buses: with and without air conditioning. The first passage is more expensive.

Prices in Singapore are very high. Travel to Singapore worth 1 dollar of local beer - from $ 6. And hotels in Singapore - the most expensive in Asia.

Europeans and all other white men Singaporeans called the word "anmo".

In terms of Singapore's prisons are terrible, there is even a bed there. A school that lead to prison on an excursion.

In Singapore, there is no stray animals. While Singapore - a city fines and bans, as read as ubiquitous signs in the streets practically impossible to see the policeman.

In a taxi in Singapore on the roof did not set a "checkered", but the electronic scoreboard, which indicate the machine is free or not.

Thai driving license is not valid in Singapore.

Singapore - a country democratic. But the citizens did not vote at random, on the ballot indicated passport details of voting.

Press censored. Write about sex and about politics is prohibited.

In Singapore, the lives of 3 million people. In general, the Chinese are known for their obedience.

In Singapore, the Russian tourists are quite common - far more than in the same Bangkok or Chiang Mai.