anzeige CountryProfiler Visit Singapore Turning 50: Singapore Celebrates its Success Since gaining independence in 1965, the tiny Southeast Asian state has transformed itself from a small port city into a global trade hub and a financial powerhouse. ingapore has gone into Island Nation nickname “Little Red Dot”, a He co-founded the People’s Action party-mode as 2015 marks Singapore lies at the south- reference to its size on the map. Party, which has ruled the country Shalf a century of inde- ernmost tip of continental Since the 1970s, Singapore ever since it gained independ- pendence. The island nation Asia, one degree north of the has also been widely known ence and is widely credited with has unveiled a festival of events equator, and is separated from as the Garden City, owing to turning Singapore into one of surrounding its Golden Jubilee, the Malaysian Peninsular its extensive greening policy the world’s richest countries. reflecting on the country’s by the Straits of Johor to the covering the whole island. journey that has seen it rise north and from Indonesia’s Committed to Multiculturalism from a post-colonial backwater Riau Islands by the Singapore The Birth of a Nation Modern day Singapore is also to one of the most respected Strait to the south. Home to Before 1960, Singapore was the creation of its people. The and admired countries in the a population of 5.54 million, little more than a Southeast population of Singapore is diverse, world. Unique is probably Singapore’s territory consists Asian trading post for the the result of considerable past the word that best captures of the diamond-shaped main British Empire with no natural immigration. While the country Singapore, and the astonish- island – referred to as Singapore resources. After a brief merger experienced racial riots and unrest ing diversity of the country Island – and more than 60 with Malaysia in 1963, Singapore in the 1960s, Singapore today is truly is second to none. Fast- smaller islets. Singapore has a became an independent nation deeply committed to multicul- paced city streets and office total land area of 714.3 square on August 9, 1965. Lee Kuan Yew, turalism. Chinese predominate, complexes are located within kilometres, about six times the Singapore’s first Prime Minister making up some three-fourths of minutes of serene gardens and size of Disneyworld, which has who died in March 2015, is seen the total. Malays are the next largest colourful ethnic quarters. given it its most prominent as the nation’s founding father. ethnic group, and Indians the third. CountryProfiler anzeige Singapore at A GLANCE Size: 714 square kilometres Population: 5.54 million Time Zone: SGT, UTC+8hours, NO DST is observed. Currency: Singapore dollar (SGD), S$1 = 100 cents Languages: Tamil, Mandarin Chinese, English and Malay Country Code: +65 Climate/Temperature: Tropical climate, with an average temperature of 31C Prime Minister: Lee Hsien Long GDP growth (2014): 2.9% Photos: Singapore Tourism Board Because of this ethnic diversity, island and to export to global no fewer than four official lan- markets. In addition, Singapore guages are recognised: English, developed sophisticated and Mandarin Chinese, Malay and powerful service industries in Tamil. English remains the finance, medicine and educa- countdown party on December the future. The country’s leaders main medium for administra- tion. Tourism has also become 31 at Marina Bay. The Jubilee are aware that many aspects tion, commerce and industry, increasingly important, and weekend in August saw tens of need improvement and that the and it is the primary language Singapore’s excellent air- thousands of spectators gather global competition for talent of instruction in schools. transport facilities have been for the National Day parade and and investment has intensified. augmented by massive invest- fireworks display. In November The most immediate challenge Economic Achievements ments in hotels and attractions. the new National Gallery opened facing the Republic will be raising A key pillar of Singapore’s its doors, while a futuristic ex- productivity in order to grow an transformation was to invite the Golden Jubilee hibition showcasing the future already-advanced economy. Over world to Singapore. The country 2015 marks Singapore’s Golden of life in Singapore, taking place a longer time frame of 25 years, invested heavily in transport Jubilee and the entire year has until March 2016, marks one population challenges will come infrastructure, creating an been dedicated to honouring of the last event highlights. to the fore because of the coun- environment conducive to trade and celebrating the country’s try’s low birth rates. However, if and investment. Incentives were achievements, with a host To the Next 50 Singapore’s past successes are provided to attract multina- of events and activities. The Despite all its achievements, anything to go by, the prospects are tionals to manufacture on the celebrations started with a big Singapore must now look to good for an even brighter future. anzeige CountryProfiler Discover THE Singapore Story Shedding off its image as a stopover location and celebrating its 50th anniversary of independence, Singapore is rising as the must-visit destination in the Asia-Pacific region. Singapore Tourism Board bridge between the neighbours, Indonesia, China, style venues such as Dempsey brands and trendiest fashion East and the West for Malaysia, India as well as Hill and Botanic Gardens, houses. Other exciting plans in Acenturies, Singapore Australia, account for more showcase the abundance of the past included the develop- embraces tradition and moder- than 50% of tourist arrivals. greenery throughout the city. ment of the Singapore Flyer, nity. Colourful ethnic quarters However, Lonely Planet, CNN Singapore has also made great the rejuvenation of Sentosa amongst efficient business and the New York Times have strides in attracting tourism Island as a tropical island resort centres and serene gardens named Singapore as one of with the remodelling of Orchard including theme parks, casinos, set against sleek skyscrap- the top destinations to visit in Road into one of the best hotels, golf courses and beaches, ers, Singapore is a fascinating 2015, setting the scene for the shopping streets in the world, as well as the development of destination for both leisure city-state to widen its share hosting the most exclusive iconic Integrated Resorts. and business travellers. of European and US visitors. Often called the Little Red Dot, the island of Singapore is small The Green City – just 49 kilometres by 25 kilo- Investment in greenery, urban metres – and sits at the southern parks and nature reserves has tip of the Malay Peninsula, the created an environment that southernmost point of conti- Singaporeans are proud to call nental Asia. Championed by the home. Today the city offers a Singapore Tourism Board (STB), broad selection of lush ‘green’ the city-state has witnessed tourism attractions, such as the a remarkable transforma- Tree Top Walk in the MacRitchie tion of its tourism landscape, Reservoir, Gardens by the Bay while visitor arrivals have and the recently opened River almost doubled since 2004. Safari, Asia’s first and only Today, Singapore’s delights river-themed wildlife park. draw more than 15 million Hotels such as the Marina Bay tourists annually, reinforcing Sands, the W Singapore and its status as a vibrant global the ParkRoyal on Pickering all city that is a magnet for capital, incorporate ‘green’ elements in business and talent. Its Asian their design, and along with life- CountryProfiler anzeige Chinatown - Singapore Tourism Board Culture & Heritage Exciting Events One of the remarkable aspects of There is also an exciting cal- Singapore is the truly cosmopol- endar of events that includes itan nature of the population, the Singapore Formula 1 Grand a natural result of the country’s Prix and the BNP Paribas WTA geographical position and com- Finals Singapore in addition mercial success. Visitors can to a variety of cultural festi- easily experience Singapore’s vals throughout the year. rich and unique multicultural From end of November 2015 tapestry by exploring ethnic pre- onwards visitors also have the The Tree Top Walk - Singapore Tourism Board cincts such as Chinatown, Little unique chance to discover the India and Kampong Glam, in Jubilee Walk, which is essential- addition to sampling a diversity ly an 8km-long trail connecting of cuisines, within a single trip. the past, present and future In particular, Singapore’s elements of the Singapore story. dining scene has witnessed a It takes participants to 25 his- boom in recent years, featuring torical and modern Singapore first-rate restaurants helmed icons, including the Padang, by both overseas Michelin- where the people of Singapore starred chefs and local talents. gathered to mark the end of the A variety of mid- to high-end Japanese Occupation in 1945, dining options nicely com- as well as one of Singapore’s plement food stalls at local more recent additions, the hawker centres, making Helix Bridge, the longest pe- Singapore’s dining scene a destrian bridge in Singapore, Little India - Singapore Tourism Board vibrant and diverse one. overlooking the Marina Bay. Gardens Overview - Gardens by the Bay anzeige CountryProfiler Conference & Incentive Travel Cruising out of Singapore Thanks in no small part to its Another growth segment is attractions and first-class hotels, the cruise industry. Passenger Singapore is also gaining popu- numbers are expected to grow larity as a destination for meet- between 5% and 8% annu- ings, conferences and incentives. ally over the next three to four Last year, the country played years. In 2016, Singapore will host to more than 100 differ- be welcoming 10 maiden calls, ent business events, while 2015 including Royal Caribbean saw the introduction of events International’s newest and such as the World Confederation most innovative ship, the of Physical Therapy Congress, Quantum of the Seas which inter airport Southeast Asia, can carry over 4,000 passen- Children Baby Maternity Expo, gers.