By Edwin Thomas
About Singapore
Singapore is sometimes called the Lion City, or "
Asia-lite" by people who know it well. A wealthy, industrialized city state nestled between Malaysia and Indonesia, it is a popular destination for its unique cultural melange, bargain electronics shopping, central location and for medical tourism.
Colonial Background
Singapore started life as a British colony in the 18th century. This has left the city with a legacy of colonial-era government buildings, British civil practices and widespread use of the English language.
Singapore's People
Hindu Temple in the midst of modern Singapore
Three-quarters of Singapore's population is Chinese. Most of the remainder of its nearly five million population is Malay and Indian.
Economics
Singapore is a fully industrialized, wealthy, developed country. The median income is about $40,000 per year, higher than in many European countries.
Food
Malay Biryani
As a developed nation with a melting pot of Chinese, Indian and Malay culture, the food in Singapore is outstanding. The Indonesian offerings are also first rate, due to Singapore's proximity to that country.
Shopping
Orchard Road
Orchard Road in Singapore is a consumerist mecca. While Singapore's rise to wealth doesn't make it the bargain shopper's paradise it used to be, it is still cheap enough to look at during a visit.
Medical Tourism
Boasting a modern and efficient health care system, Singapore is becoming a popular destination for people seeking to save money on elective and non-critical surgeries. Almost 250,000 foreigners visit Singapore every year to take advantage of the cheaper health care.
Transportation
Singapore is well connected to Malaysia and Thailand by rail, and to Indonesia by ferry. Changi International Airport is a regional hub second only to Bangkok, and offers flights to everywhere in Asia and to many major global destinations.
Resources
About the Author:
Edwin Thomas has been writing since 1997. His work has appeared in various online publications, including The Black Table, Proboxing-Fans and others. A travel blogger, editor and writer, Thomas has traveled from Argentina to Vietnam in pursuit of stories. He holds a Master of Arts in international affairs from American University.
Photo Credits:
Richard Thomas, Wikimedia Commons
