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Online maps of Singapore can be found at streetdirectory.com.sg
History
 According to local legend, a Sumatran prince encountered a lion – then considered a good omen – on Temasek, which was what Singapore was known as back in the 13th Century. This prompted him to found Singapura, or Lion City. Thus it became a minor trading post for the powerful Sumatran Srivijaya empire and as a subsequent vassal state of the Javanese Majapahit empire in the mid-13th century.
In 1819, Sir Stamford Raffles established a British trading station on this island. Singapore gained her independence on 9 August 1965. It was admitted to both the United Nations and the Commonwealth of Nations in the same year.
Culture
Most Singaporeans are descendants of immigrants from the Malay Peninsula, China & the Indian sub-continent. While they have gradually acquired a distinct identity as Singaporeans, many still retain their customs, practices and festivals in an interesting mix of the modern and the traditional.
Language
There are four official languages in Singapore: Malay, Mandarin, Tamil and English. English is the language of business and administration, and is widely spoken and understood. Most Singaporeans are bilingual, and speak their mother tongue as well as English. Malay is the national language.
Government & Politics
 Singapore is a republic with a parliamentary system of government based on the Westminster model. This means that all cabinet members must be elected members of Parliament. (An analogy with the American model would mean that all of the US President's cabinet secretaries would be congressional representatives.) The Constitution provides for a President who is the Head of State. The Presidential position is more of a figurehead, similar to the Queen of England; he does not have any real decision-making power.
The Cabinet is led by the Prime Minister, who is appointed by the President, as the Member of Parliament who commands the confidence of the majority of the Members of Parliament. On the advice of the Prime Minister, the President appoints other ministers from among the Members of Parliament to form the Cabinet.
Preserving Singapore
Conservation is an important part of urban planning and development in Singapore. The restoration of historic areas adds variety to the modern landscape and preserves the important reminders of our past. Conservation had begun since the early 70s and to date, conservation status has been given to 54 conservation areas involving 5600 buildings throughout the island. The most well-known of such buildings is The Raffles Hotel. Built in 1887, it was named after the founder of Singapore. Declared a national monument in 1991, today it stands as a jewel in the crown of Singapore 's hospitality industry.
For more information on conservation in Singapore visit www.ura.gov.sg/
Arts Alive!
A latest addition to the arts scene is the Esplanade:
Theaters on the Bay, a modern arts performance centre, which bears a striking resemblance to a local fruit. It is built on 6 hectares of prime waterfront land, and has 5000 world class hotel rooms, 2 major convention centers, 7500 parking spaces, 1000 shops, 300 restaurants & 150 bars within its immediate vicinity.
A main highlight of the Esplanade is its Concert Hall, which can accommodate 1600 people, and has reverberation chambers & an accoustic canopy. Another noteworthy feature is a Klais pipe organ with 4740 pipes & 61 stops.
Milestones & Achievements
Although Singapore is one of the smallest nations in the world, we have some of the largest, tallest and busiest landmarks in the world. Singapore is home to one of the tallest hotels in the world, The Swissotel Singapore The Stamford, which is 73 storeys high! The Changi International Airport is one of the best airports in the world, for several years running. The Port of Singapore is one of the busiest container ports in the world. It has more than 1000 ships in the port at any one time. There were 142,745 vessel calls with a shipping tonnage of 971.1million gross tons in 2002. Singapore is also the 3rd largest oil refining centre in the world, with a refining capacity of over 1 million barrels daily. All 4 major oil companies (Shell, BP, Caltex & ExxonMobil) have set up operations here.
Below are some examples of Singapore's milestones & achievements:
- World's biggest fountain ( Suntec City, 1683.07 sq.m)
- Most babies born in a maternity hospital (39,835 babies delivered at KK Women'& Children' Hospital in 1966)
- The first liver transplant was carried out on a 25-year-old production worker on September 29, 1990, by a team of doctors from the National University Hospital, led by Dr Susan Lim, the second woman doctor in the world to perform a liver transplant.
- The first ever sex-change surgery was successfully performed on a man in Singapore in July 1971.
- Dr May Lim was the first woman in Asia to win the fellowship of Britain 's Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, in 1987.
- The first tree planting campaign was launched by then Prime Minister, Mr Lee Kuan Yew in 1963. This is the beginning of many such campaigns which eventually led Singapore to be known as the Garden City.
- Nominated MPs were first appointed by the Government on the September 7, 1992. Nominated MPs are considered as alternatives to the Opposition in Parliament.
Myth or Reality?
- A full 50% of NUS classes are taught in English and not Chinese.
Answer: Myth
Besides language courses, All modules (classes) at NUS are taught in English.
- You are not allowed to sell chewing gum in Singapore.
Answer: Reality
You are not allowed to sell chewing gum in Singapore but you are allowed to chew it once you get it. Strange but true!
- Bar top dancing is not allowed in
Singapore.
Answer: Myth
Many bars now allow you to dance on the bar top. Singapore has a very diverse, exciting nightlife and the drinking age is 19 years.
- There isn't much to do in Singapore.
Answer: Myth, of course.
A buzzing nightlife, outdoor film screenings, ballet under the stars and much, much more will keep you entertained all semester. Don't forget, Singapore is in the heart of South East Asia, and most destinations are just a short, and often cheap, flight away!
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