Singapore, officially the Republic of Singapore, is an island city-state located at the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, 137 kilometres (85 mi) north of the equator, south of the Malaysian state of Johor and north of Indonesia's Riau Islands. At 710.2 km2 (274.2 sq mi), Singapore is a microstate and the smallest nation in Southeast Asia. It is substantially larger than Monaco and Vatican City, the only other surviving sovereign city-states.

Before European settlement, the island now known as Singapore was the site of a Malay fishing village at the mouth of the Singapore River. Several hundred indigenous Orang Laut people also lived along the nearby coast, rivers and on smaller islands. In 1819, the British East India Company, led by Sir Stamford Raffles, established a trading post on the island, which was used as a port along the spice route. Singapore became one of the most important commercial and military centres of the British Empire, and the hub of British power in Southeast Asia.

Ref: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singapore

One of Southeast Asia’s most remarkable success stories, immaculate Singapore confirms and undermines popular stereotypes in equal measure. Yes, it’s modern, clean and organised. No, it’s not stifling, strait-laced and dull. What you have here is a dynamic 21st-century metropolis with a culture, history and cuisine that’s remarkably rich for a place so small.

The Singapore River cuts the city in two: south is the CBD and Chinatown, and to the north of the river is the Colonial District. The trendy Clarke and Robertson Quays, and the popular Boat Quay dining areas hug

People of Singapore

Moneychangers can be found in every shopping centre and most do not charge fees on foreign money or travellers cheques. Many shops accept foreign cash and travellers cheques at lower rates than you’d get from a moneychanger.

The construction of the Esplanade theatre has helped place Singapore on the world arts map and draw more international performers – from Western classical to Chinese opera, Asian dance troupes to American jazz quartets. The best time to catch the cream of Singapore’s performing arts is during the annual Arts Festival (www.singaporeartsfest.com) held in June.

Free import by passengers of 18 years of age and older of wines, spirits and beer not exceeding one litre each.

Prohibited: Meat and meat products.

Ref: http://www.iatatravelcentre.com/SG-Singapore-customs-currency-airport-tax-regulations-details.htm

Weather Information for Singapore

Ref: http://www.worldweather.org
Remark: Climatological information is based on monthly averages for the 30-year period 1961-1990.

There are virtually no seasons in Singapore.The weather is uniformly hot, humid and wet all year round. November to January are considered slightly wetter months, though you should always be prepared for a soaking, no matter how clear the skies appear when you go out.

Getting there
Air
Singapore is an ideal point to begin any Southeast Asian journey. The city’s budget air travel boom is good news for shoestring travellers,
connecting Changi Airport cheaply with dozens of regional destinations.

BUS
For Johor Bahru, the quickest method is to go to Kranji MRT station and take bus 160 from there. Share taxis to many places in Malaysia leave from the Queen St bus terminal (Map p661).

Coming from Johor Bahru, take a bus from Larkin station, or a shared taxi (RM8, four people) from the taxi terminal opposite the Puteri Pan Pacific Hotel.

The buses stop at the Singapore checkpoint; keep your ticket and hop on the next bus that comes along after you’ve cleared immigration. You’ll go through the same process at Malaysian immigration and customs across the Causeway. The bus continues to the Larkin bus terminal on the edge of town.

Train
Malaysian company Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (%6222 5165; www.ktmb.com.my) operates three air-con express trains daily for the six-hour run from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur at 8.10am, 3.05pm and 10.10pm (3rd/2nd class S$19/34), with connections on to Thailand.

Sea
Ferries connect Singapore to Indonesia’s Riau archipelago. There are two departure points: the HarbourFront Centre (Map pp650–1), next to HarbourFront MRT station, and Tanah Merah ferry terminal (Map pp650-1 ; %6542 7102).

Getting around

MRT
Board the ultra-efficient Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) train system and, within a few short stops, you can surface among the glitter of the Orchard Rd retail mecca, the Palladian columns of the Colonial District, the pungent ramshackle lanes of Little India, or the besuited bustle of the central business district (CBD). It’s affluent, hi-tech and occasionally a little snobbish, but the great leveller is the hawker centre, the ubiquitous and raucous food markets where everyone mucks in together to indulge the local mania for cheap eating.

Bus
Public buses run between 6am and midnight. Each bus stop has information on bus