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Singapore, a sovereign island country, is called the Republic of Singapore. It is located in maritime Southeast Asia and bordered by the Strait of Malacca, the South China Sea, the Singapore Strait, and the Straits of Johor. Singapore’s geography consists of 63 satellite islands and islets, one mainland and an outlying islet.
Singapore gained their independence from the United Kingdom in 1963.
Singapore’s population density is the third highest in the world. Its diverse cultural identity is why it has four official languages. They are Malay, English, Tamil and Mandarin.
Singapore is one of the most developed countries in the world. It is the 11th country on the UN Human Development Index. The country is renowned as a tax haven, so it’s little wonder why it has the world’s second-highest GDP per capita (PPP).
It is also a powerhouse in the aviation, maritime shipping and financial world. The commonwealth member country is also home to Southeast Asia’s largest port, which happens to be one of the busiest ports in the world.
Click here to learn about the Most Visited Destinations in Singapore
With a booming and robust economy to back it, Singapore is one of the most expensive cities to live in the world.
Singapore’s official currency is the Singapore Dollar.
The Time Zone is UTC +8 with no daylight savings.
Nigerian citizens require an eVisa to visit Singapore. Your passport must have at least six months’ validity or more. The visa allows you a short stay period of 30 days, which expires after 90 days. As an applicant, you do not have to be physically present when applying for a tourist visa.
The following are some documents required when applying for a Singapore tourist visa.
Please note that the above is subject to change according to government regulations. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with us for updated information.
Singapore is home to various religions, languages, and cultures. The collective harmony of ethnicity and religion is a big part of Singapore’s success. For a country of such cultural diversity, such harmony is essential.
After the country’s independence in 1963, most of the country’s citizens were migrant labourers and had no intention of settling permanently. Most of them would later go back to Malaya (Malaysia), India and China.
At the time, there were descendants of 15th and 16th-century Chinese immigrants called Peranakans or Baba–Nyonya. They were middle-class people. They pledged their loyalty to Singapore.
Ever since, the government has embarked on designing a unique Singaporean identity and culture. Judging by the harmony being experienced today, they are doing a great job.
The Hybrid orchid, Vanda’ Miss Joaquim’, is Singapore’s national flower. It was named after a Singapore-born Armenian woman who was responsible for crossbreeding the flower in her garden at Tanjong Pagar in 1893.
The Chinese have the highest ethnic population, followed by the Malays and Indians. The Chinese mostly migrated from various parts of Asia, like Fuji and Guangdong. As a result, there are linguistic differences between the communities. The linguistic difference is not so pronounced among the Malays. More than half of the Indians are Tamils, with the rest being Malayalis, Sikhs, and others.
Singapore has four official languages: Mandarin, English, Tamil and Malay. English is the official language used in schools, businesses, law and the government. It is also the country’s lingua franca. Even Singapore’s Constitution and all government legislation are written in English.
According to the Inter-Religious Organisation, Singapore (IRO), there are 10 major religions in the country. Research by the Pew Research Center in 2014 also suggested that Singapore is the most religiously diverse nation in the world.
Buddhism is Singapore’s most popular religion, with about 31% of the population practising it. The other prevalent religions are Christianity, Islam, Hinduism and Taoism. About 20% of the population had no religious affiliation.
In Singapore, major religious festivals are always public holidays.
There is no tipping culture in Singapore. Although you can tip if you want, the prices around town will probably put you off. Also, restaurants charge a 10% service charge plus a 7% Good and Service tax.
Is drinking alcohol in public legal in Singapore? Yes, you are allowed to drink alcohol in public. Although, there are specific times when drinking alcohol in public is forbidden. You are not allowed to drink alcohol in non-licensed spaces or in public from 10:30 PM to 7:00 AM. This was a result of the Little India riot in 2013.
Singapore’s climate is uniform all year round, with high temperatures and constant rainfall. The climate can best be described as a tropical rainforest climate. The northeast monsoon season between November and March is the windiest and wettest period.
Best time to visit Singapore: Thanks to its uniform climate, you can visit Singapore all year round. Although, December to June is seen as the best time to visit. The dry season is from February to April and has the most sunshine as well as the lowest rain and humidity.
Is Singapore a safe country? Yes, Singapore has ethnic, religious and political stability. It is one of the safest countries in the world for both locals and tourists. The crime rate in Singapore is also very low. Even at night, it is still relatively safe. The streets are always well-lit and abuzz with activities. It also has a very strong and reliable police force and a transparent legal system. Although, you are still expected to be vigilant with your valuables.
According to the World Health Organisation’s World Health Report, Singapore is the 6th country with the best healthcare system in the world. The healthcare system here is very reliable and efficient. Singapore locals have one of the longest life expectancies in the world. The country also has very low infant mortality rates.
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Singapore natives are very clean people who judge foreigners by that standard. When visiting, you could go for casual wear that is cool and comfortable. You can also bring along clothes of natural fabrics like linen, cotton and silk. They are breathable and great for high humidity.
Orchid Perfumes, Merlion Souvenirs, Kaya, Sling, Plated Orchid Ornaments, Bakkwa, Orchid Red Tea, Jam, Tiger Balm products and Instant Singaporean meals are souvenirs you can get when visiting Singapore.
In Singapore, no law states that you can’t take pictures in public, but getting consent is essential if your photographs have other persons in them.
The voltage supply in Singapore is 230V with a standard frequency of 50Hz. If you are coming from a region with a voltage supply of 110V, you must carry along a step-down transformer or a voltage converter. This is how you can prevent electrical damage to your devices.