Singapore

We usually think of Singapore as a city, but the Republic of Singapore consists of 63 islands off the southern tip of the Malaya Peninsula. To the north lies Malaysia, and then Thailand.

The Johor Strait between the islands and the mainland is narrow. The dense settlement continues as the Malaysian city of Johor Bahru on the north side of the strait, linked together by a causeway and a bridge.

Trade

Singapore is centrally located, where the Malacca Strait in the west meets the Singapore Strait in the south, two important shipping lanes.

The city has been a trading centre for a long time, but it was only when the British governor Stamford Raffles came to the islands in 1819 that the development towards today's modern city with 5.6 million inhabitants started.

Through agreements with the local rulers, Singapore became a British colony in 1824. At that time, only about a thousand people lived there, mostly Malays and Chinese. Forty years later, the population had increased to 80,000, half of it Chinese working on the spice plantations that were established. When the rubber trade started in 1890, Singapore grew even further.

Independence

Singapore was captured by Japan in 1942, and much of the city was destroyed. The British took over the government again after the war, but after several years of unrest, Singapore gained self-government in 1959.

In 1963, Singapore became part of the newly created state of Malaysia along with Malaya, North Borneo and Sarawak. This didn't last long, internal disagreements caused Singapore to be expelled in 1965. Since then it has been a separate and independent country.

Powerhouse

Singapore has grown to become an economic powerhouse in Asia, and is an important center for trade, finance, and advanced industry. The city is one of the most expensive in the world to live in and visit, but is nevertheless a popular tourist destination.

One of the attractions is an exciting mix of Chinese, Indian and Malay culture.

Rainforest

There is little nature left, most of the area is built-up. What remains is now nature reserves, and large parks.

Tropical rainforest climate means it is hot and humid all year round, with no distinct seasons. The temperature varies between 23 and 32 degrees, and the most rainfall occurs between November and February.

Normal maximum temperature in October: 31.7 ℃
Normal rainfall in October: 170 mm

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