Singapore

Singapore

Singapore is one of the cleanest cities I ever walked through. The Singaporean-Chinese people are worker bees who constructed one impressive hive. Singapore is a dense city brimming with 5.1 million souls. The financial district is in the downtown area with giant, modern skyscrapers reaching toward the sky. Singapore is a contemporary city where architecture, art, and the Eastern philosophy of Feng Shui are merged in a stunning array of buildings. For example, the Marina Sands Bay Hotel and Casino have three 60-story towers with a boat-shaped structure that connects the buildings at the top. The boat structure is nestled with trees, patios, and swimming pools, where guests can entertain themselves and capture a stunning view over the city. Another building, The Gateway, is a rounded-octagonal-shaped building that symbolizes Feng Shui, harmonizing the eight spheres of life. 

Singapore is a costly city. Private condominiums are priced at around a million Singaporean dollars (800,000 U.S. dollars), while government-constructed flats are half that. One must be wealthy to own a house with a piece of land. The privilege of driving a car in Singapore is another benefit for the rich, as the right to drive can easily exceed the cost of a new car. Nevertheless, car ownership is not a problem. Singapore's modern metro system crisscrosses the city and rapidly carries travellers to their destinations. The metro is extremely clean because the government fines $500 for eating or drinking in the subway. Unfortunately, the stores do not even sell chewing gum.

Singapore

  • Singapore's area is 268 square miles, making it one of the smallest countries in the world.
  • The currency is the Singaporean dollar.
  • The capital is Singapore.
  • In 2012, the population was estimated at 5.1 million, while 1.9 million residents are of non-Singaporean descent.
  • Singapore is an Asian tiger with a rapidly growing economy. It is a market-based economy with low tax rates, a competitive workforce, and innovation, and one of the least corrupt countries in the world.
  • Approximately 9.1 million tourists arrived in Singapore in 2010.
  • China used Singapore as its economic growth model. The Chinese leader, Deng Xiaoping, visited Singapore in the 1970s and also had many Chinese government officials trained there.
  • The leader of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed, used Singapore as a model to transform the vast sweeping deserts of Dubai into a modern, thriving city.

Singapore

The Statue of Raffles with the Financial District in the background

Singapore

The Gateway Towers

Singapore

Marina Bay Hotel

Singapore

Marina Bay Hotel

Singapore

A view of the Marina Bay Hotel at night

Singapore

The Fullerton Hotel

Singapore

The Financial District at night

Singapore

The Financial District at dusk

Singapore

New Year's Eve Fireworks for 2012

Singapore

The Asian Civilization Museum with the skyscrapers of the Financial District in the background

Singapore

The Asian Civilization Museum

Singapore

Singapore skyline from Clarke Quay

Singapore

Several Chinese shops are located along Lavender Street

Singapore

Somewhere near the Bugis Subway Station

Singapore

The striking blue, Jama-Ath Mosque

Singapore

The Sri Vadapathira Kaliamman Temple, located near Little India

Singapore

A beautiful Hindu Temple in China Town

Singapore

A beautiful Hindu Temple in China Town

Singapore

Merlion is the fish-lion creature that symbolizes Singapore