Portrait of Singapore

Giving useful information on history, culture, people, festivals and religion, this guide also contains details of major sights and places of interest including nearby islands and excursions to Malaysia and Singapore.

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Singapore, the "Lion City", occupies an island at the southern tip of the Malaysian Peninsula. This tiny city-state has, since becoming fully sovereign in 1965, become one of Asia's most vibrant and forward-looking nations. As befits its position at the crossroads of major transport routes, Singapore has for centuries been a meeting place of cultures. The city's blend of Chinese, Malay, Indian and European has made it a true multicultural metropolis. Bustling Orchard Road, with its sleek shopping centres and trendy boutiques, is a far cry from the traditional shophouses, ethnic neighbourhoods and wetmarkets of old Singapore, and yet all these strands run together in the weaving of the city's tapestry. Almost in the shadow of its soaring steel-and-glass skyline can be found peaceful parks and forests and the world famous Singapore Zoo - renowned for its night safaris. An introductory chapter presents information on the landscape, flora and fauna, history, culture, people, festivals and religions of Singapore. Other chapter cover in detail the major sights and places of interest, including nearby islands and excursions to Malaysia and Indonesia. Illustrated with photographs specially