Singapore

Singapore - "Lion City" in the XIV century, Chinese merchants were described Singapore as a bare island, populated by evil pirates. According to Malay legend, the Sumatran prince encountered on the island-like creature like a lion, and it is a good omen prompted him to found a city of Singa-Pura, which means "Lion City".Singapore - an island, river, city and state where the merged three cultures: Chinese, Indian and Arabic. This is one of the most unusual places on Earth. Singapore jewel of Southeast Asia, combining the architectural 
story twenty-first century, cutting-edge shopping and entertainment centers. Tourists are particularly shocking in Singapore, a unique combination of modernity and tradition. Labyrinths of old Chinese houses with tiled roofs and slender skyscrapers with first-class hotel harmoniously with each other.Surprising Singapore difference from other Asian cities is its absolute cleanliness, grooming and order. In the city of the island, there are fun - for everyone. For example, the central tourist street in Singapore - Orchard Road, it sparkles with lights at night bars, discos and restaurants, and invite you to visit during the day ultra stores.On the neighboring island of Sentosa - beautiful beaches, all water sports, golf courses, the biggest attraction in Asia, "Underwater World" and delifinarium - everything has a gorgeous, rich with extraordinary impressions of rest.

GEOGRAPHY
The Republic of Singapore, a city-state in Southeast Asia, part of the Commonwealthheaded by Great Britain.

The country includes the small island of Singapore (42 km in length and 23 km wide), as well as 59 smaller islands that lie along the coast (the largest of them Ubin, Tek
ongBesar,, battle, Sentosa and the Semakau Sudong), located at southern tip of the MalayPeninsula. Total area - 648 square meters. miles. Population 3 mln.164 thousand (1998).. Singapore - a relatively wealthy country, the annual per capita income is approx. 22.5 thousand dollars, and foreign exchange reserves have exceeded U.S. $ 97 billion(1996).

HISTORY
The island of Singapore from ancient times was known as Tumasik ("port"). The first mention of it existed in the Malay settlement related to 7. The inhabitants were engaged in fishing and trade. In the late 13th century. settled on the island of Sumatra descendant of Maharaja of the state Shrividzhaya - Three Sri Buana. When it was built by the city of Singapore - "Lion City". In the 14th century. Singapore has become the busiest maritime and commercial center of the Strait of Malacca area. Downtown was on the slopes of the hill, which dominates the modern Singapore, there were temples and public buildings, in the Lower Town, enclosed by a palisade and ditch, lived a simple people. Singapore Raja fought the expansion of the Thai state, and in 1349 defeated the Thai's fleet. But when Raja Sri Pikrame viré (1347-1362) the city lost its independence. He rejected the demand of the Javanese Majapahit state of vassalage and pay tribute, and at first repulsed the attack Javanese. But then the city was besieged by a huge army of Majapahit and through treachery of one of the nobles stormed. A thriving center was completely destroyed and its population massacred.Over the next four centuries, the island experienced a decline, although at times it tried to settle the Indonesian and Malay rulers. In 1390's a descendant of Maharaja Shrividzhayi - Prince Tumasika Paramesvara killed and began to rule on the island, but in 1398 his army attacked the town of Malay principality Patani. Paramesvara and people of his possessions were forced to resettle in new capital - Malacca, located in the Malay Peninsula. In subsequent centuries the island was ruled Malacca, and after its capture by the Portuguese in the early 16th century. - Malay Sultanate of Johor. In the early 19th century. it lived only a few fishing families.In 1819, the representative of the British East India Company, Thomas Stamfor
d Raffles signed with the Sultan of Johor Treaty establishing the island of the British trading post.In 1824, Singapore officially became a British crown possession. With a favorable geographic location of the island, Britain has turned Singapore into a major reference center in the Far East. In 1826 he was included in the Straits Setlments colonies, which united the British possessions in the Malay Peninsula, and in 1832 became the center of the colony, and the gates of Britain in Malaya. In 1867 the Straits Setlments received the status of a crown colony.Contributed to the development of Singapore is that the colonial authorities declared it a free port. Through the city in Malaya imported Chinese and Indian workers, some of them settled on the island. During 1850 - 1860 the population increased by 1.5 times and reached 82 thousand people, of whom 61% were Chinese. By 1891 Singapore had lived 182 thousand people. In the early 20th century. the city's population increased again several times. After the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869 the city was in the center of all trade between Europe and the Far East. New port facilities and manufacturing industries have been adapted for the processing and export of raw materials from Malaya and other British colonial possessions in the metropolis.In 1921 the British government decided to establish a military base in Singapore, whose construction was completed in 1938. She was considered an impregnable fortress, and had the support of the defense of British possessions in this part of the globe. However
, in February 1942 it was handed over without a fight Japanese troops after they cut the water supply, supplying Singapore with water. The Japanese authorities have renamed Singapore Shonan, and turned it into the center of his administration in Malaya and the island of Sumatra. However, in August 1945 in Malaya anti-Japanese armed rebellion broke out, led by Communists, and Japanese forces surrendered. In September 1945 in Singapore once again landed the British side, and the UK government was restored.Since 1959, Singapore became a self-governing colony, Lee Kuan Yew served as prime minister after the election. In 1963 a referendum Singapore entered the Federation of Malaya, together with the states of Malaya, Sabah and Sarawak. August 7, 1965 as a result of the conflict Singapore was expelled from the Federation of Malaya, August 9, 1965, and received formal independence.From 1959 to 1990, during the reign of Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore, lacking resources could solve many domestic problems and made the leap from third world countries to developed country with high living standards.August 10, 2004 63-year-old Prime Minister of Singapore Goh Chok Tong, who held the post of the past 14 years, filed a formal resignation to President SR Nathan of the Republic. The government led by a 52-year-old Lee Hsien Loong - the eldest son of the founder of Singapore Lee Kuan Yew He also leaves his post as finance minister.Himself 80-year-old Lee Kuan Yew, who served as senior minister after his departure from power, will now be just a government adviser who led his son.

CUSTOMS REGULATIONS
Restrictions on import and export of currency is not. Passengers over the age of 18 imported free of duty up to 1 liter wine and 1 liter spirits and 1 liter of beer, ciga
rettes - 200 pcs., Confectionery and chocolate products worth up to 50 Singapore dollars, personal effects, as well as other Items totaling $ 300 Singapore dollars (if the visitor stays in the country for less than 48 hours - no more than 150 Singapore dollars).Chewing gum and tobacco products necessarily imposed by the customs authorities.The import of drugs and psychotropic drugs, fireworks, lighters in the form of weapons, drugs in commercial quantities of counterfeit goods, toy coins and banknotes, pornographic literature and videotapes, meat and meat products, as well as animals and plants listed in the Red Book and products from them. To export from the country of weapons, explosives, animals, poisons, medicines, telecommunications equipment, DVDs, photos and videotapes, precious stones and jewelry in quantities exceeding personal needs, require a permit.

CURRENCY
The Singapore dollar (international designation - SGD, domestic - S $), equal to 100cents. In circulation are banknotes of 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, 1,000 and 10,000Singapore dollars and coins in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 20, 50 cents and 1 dollar. Alsofree circul
ation in the country of Brunei dollar is assimilated to Singapore.






SINGAPORE CUISINE
Singaporean cuisine, as such, is a mixture of all the culinary traditions of the world. Hereyou can taste dishes of Chinese, Malay, Japanese, Indian, European, Mexican and Thai cuisine, including the works of culinary art from all over the world. Own kitchen there are few 
- all you can see or try the many restaurants, bars and cafes, is borrowed.



TRANSPORT
Singapore has one of the most modern in the world transport system, which includes the metro, buses, trains, taxis, monorail, a system finikulerov to nearby islands and even a helicopter inside the message. Everything is quite cheap and easy to use. An extensive network of bus routes covering the entire island. Buses operate from 6:00 am to midnight.
 Metro has three lines, one of which begins at the airport. This is the fastest way and cheapest way to get to anywhere in the city. The fare on the subway - from 0.8 to 2 Singapore dollars, depending on the distance to the bus - from 0.7 to 1.7 dollars (as of express routes - up to 2.35 dollars). Light rail performs support functions in the remote areas of the island, driving the passengers to the subway. The main vehicles for leisure island of Sentosa - lift. It has three stations - Mount Faber, Sentosa and the Marina.Taxis in sufficient numbers, they all work with counters. Here are the offices of all major car rental companies, you can also rent a boat to carry a variety of excursions to the Singapore River. There are regular ferry service between the World Trade Centre and Sentosa and other islands, you can also take a tour on a luxury boat on the harbor.