Singapore

Singapore

Geography 

It is located to a degree to the north of the parallel of the Ecuador, in the extreme south of the Malay Peninsula, separated by the Strait of Johor, of a km and a half of width. The island has an extension of 540 km² being the total surface , with the four islets that constitute the territory of the Republic, of 622 km². The highest point is the hill of Bukit Timah of only 177 meters above sea level.Sentosa, the island resort of Singapore, is located a short distance away. to the south of the main island, accessible by cable car, highway, or ferry.

Climate 

The climate is tropical, hot and humid, without well defined seasons. The average annual temperature is 28ºC during the day and 25ºC at night. The rains take place more frequently during the months of November and December. Although these are sudden and strong, they are also brief and very refreshing. The tropical climate of Singapore offers visitors unlimited opportunities to experience pleasant outdoor vacations throughout the year.

Clothing 

Due to the warm and humid weather throughout the year, it is recommended to wear light and fresh clothes from natural materials such as cotton. Informal clothing is accepted in most places and situations, but in some establishments it is required to dress according to certain requirements of formality.

History 

The first historical mention of Singapore dates from the 11th century BC, when it was occupied by the Chola Dynasty fleet, originally from the Deccan. The ancient Chinese and Javanese chronicles call Tumasek Island "the city of the sea". Its current name, Singapore, comes from the Malayan Sanskrit Singa Pura, which means the "lion city", as the first Indian settlers named it in honor of the sacred lion of the divinity Sri Mariamman. The current Singapore was born in January 1819, when Sir Stamford Raffles, then Governor of Bencoolen, came to the island to establish a commercial base of the "British Company of the East Indies" and thus compete with the Dutch who dominated the region. That same year Raffles signed a treaty with Sultan Hussein de Johor, through which the latter rented the territory to the British In 1826, Singapore became part of the so-called Strait Settlements, which became colonies of the British Crown in 1867. The natural harbor of the island and its strategic location made Singapore quickly an ideal place for commercial exchange and allowed the island to flourish with the policy of free trade.The Japanese conquer Singapore in 1942 to evacuate it in 1945 The island returns to be British colony but in 1959 it assumes the self-government to become independent Republic the 9 of August of 196 5. Currently Singapore is a Parliamentary Republic and a member of the British Commonwealth.

Language 

In Singapore there are four official languages: Malay, Mandarin, Tamil and English. The latter is the language of administration and business and is spoken and understood by the majority of the inhabitants. Religion Like its population is very varied. Walking through its streets you will see minarets of mosques, gothic cathedrals, Hindu and Chinese temples. The main religions are Islamic, Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism and Judaism. Places of prayer accept visitors as long as they are appropriately dressed and respect ceremonies or rituals with respect. Please bear in mind that you should not wear shoes when entering temples or mosques.

Food 

In Singapore the possibilities of tasting a great diversity of cuisines are endless. Varieties of Chinese, Malaysian, Thai, Indonesian, Korean and Japanese dishes are offered. All a wide Asian cuisine without forgetting other international ones like the French, the simple Italian cuisine or the spicy Mexican. Also well known are the hawker food center, outdoor spaces that offer a wide selection of local dishes at very affordable prices.