Singapore - the city-state, or, as it is called, "The Garden Island". This is a world of many cultures, where neighbors modern skyscrapers and tiny Chinese shops of Chinatown, gold-domed mosques and Hindu temples, where you can feel the pulse of intense trade and tranquility immersed in the greenery of parks. At independence in 1965, Singapore has become one of the fastest growing cities in Asia, a thriving financial center. About Singapore said that it is a city-to-computer, in which traders are still using the old account. Singapore tour offers more than 70 first-class hotels and restaurants to every taste, from classical symphonies to Chinese opera, jazz to ballet, from rock to the latest Hollywood masterpieces, as well as golf, tennis, sailing, competition for kite flying, horse racing , boat trips to nearby islands. You will remember the thick acrid scent of magnolias, mixed with the smells of sandalwood, strong coffee and oriental sweets - a fragrance fairy island of Singapore!
Geography
 
State of Singapore is located at 136 km north of the equator, on the same island in the South-East Asia, between the peninsula and the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra. Crowded around the main island another 58 small islets and islands, the most significant of which are: Pulau Tekong Besar, Pulau Ubin, Sentosa, Pulau Aer Chavan, Pulau Besar and Buck Merlimau. Thus the total area of the state is 646 square meters. km.

Singapore - flat island. The highest point (165 meters) - Bukit Timah Hill, located in a place where the preserved rainforest of modern Singapore.

On the island is a river in Singapore, the length of which is only 3 km away, and the river Shang Seletar, which flows north, is about 15 km, but it is rather the estuary than a river.

In the south of the island is the city of Singapore City. About 15 km to the west is small town of Jurong, which only 25 years ago, was a fishing village with a total of one thousand inhabitants. Today it is a major industrial center. Modern housing estates scattered around the island.
Climate

Singapore's climate is tropical, warm and humid, with little seasonal variation (27-30 ° C throughout the year). Main rainfall from November to January, with the arrival of the northeast monsoon.
Capital

Singapore - the city-state
Population

Singapore's 2.8 million population, of which 78% - Chinese, 14% - Malays, 7% - Indians.
Language

The official language in business and politics is English, it speaks most Singaporeans on the streets and in shops. The official languages are considered as Malay, Chinese and Tamil.
Currency

Currency - Singapore Dollar. $ 1 is approximately equal to 1.5 Singapore dollars.
Time zone

Singaporean time ahead of Kiev in the winter for 6 hours in the summer - to 5.
Religion

The religion is Buddhism and Taoism, Christianity spread
Political Structure

Under the current constitution, Singapore is a sovereign state with a republican form of government. The head of state - the president is elected for six years, the Legislature - Parliament. Executive power is exercised by the government headed by the Prime Minister, with a broad mandate. Singapore is a member of the British Commonwealth.
Customs regulations. Visa regime
 
Ukrainian citizens have the right to stay in the country without a visa up to 36 hours for return tickets with a fixed date. For a long stay visa to design.

The import of drugs, psychotropic drugs, fireworks, lighters in the form of pistols, toy coins and banknotes, pornographic literature and videotapes. Allowed to import duty-free items for personal use, including 1 liter of wine and 1 liter spirits and 1 liter nagitkov beer. For the purposes of export of arms, explosives, animals, poisons, drugs, precious stones and articles (in quantities exceeding personal needs) requires an export permit.

Anyone who imports into the country more than 30 grams of morphine or 15g of heroin faces the death penalty.

 Transport. Car

Singapore has a well-developed structure of public transport, which includes metro, high-speed train system (MRT), railway, bus and taxi. Roads and traffic planned so that there is practically no traffic jams. The harbor you can take a tour on a luxury boat.

Metro operates from 5:30 am on weekdays and from 6 am on weekends and holidays and up to 12 nights. There you can get to almost any part of the city. This transport system consists of two main lines: the north-south and east-west, the stations are located throughout the city. Trains depart at 3 - 8 minutes. The fare is 60 cents to 1.60 Singapore dollars.

Singapore's system of high-speed trains (MRT) - a modern passenger service on trains with air conditioning and stations throughout the city. Trains run at 3 - 8 minutes. Cheap travel by MRT, prices range from 80 cents to 2.50 Singapore dollars. The fare can be identified by the map of tariff zones, posted at the entrance to the station. Determine the cost of travel, to load into the ticket machine the appropriate amount of coins or bank notes and press a button. Tickets must be two times lower in the turnstile at the entrance and at the exit from the destination station.
 
Instead of money can pay for travel on MRT and bus with Wert Transitlink Farecard. You can buy it and charge at each ticket from Transitlink, which are in the MRT stations and the transfer station. Farecard minimum price for adults is SGD $ 10. When buying Farecard You need to know what day you will use it, as it is only valid for that day.

A one-day ticket for travel costs SGD $ 10 and allows you to make up to 12 trips per day, regardless of the distance. It is valid for both the MRT, and for buses.

The fare on the bus ranged from 50 cents to 1 Singapore dollar in buses without air conditioning, and from 60 cents to 1.3 Singapore dollar in air-conditioned bus. You can buy an electronic pass or pay the fare to the driver, throwing coins into the box, standing next to him. Delivery of the buses do not give, so you need to dial a trifle exact amount as is required. You can buy a pass with unlimited travel for one to three days. Bus timetables are sold at major bookstores and end stations.

Recently in Singapore, there were trolleys. Their route goes to Orchard Road, the shopping center Marina City, in Chinatown Chinatown, to Clarke Quay, Singapore River and to the center of international trade (World Trade Centre). Day ticket costs 14.90 Singapore dollars and can be purchased at the hotel or the hotel directly at the driver.

Taxis in Singapore is very cheap and is one of the most convenient ways to travel around the city. It is possible to catch the clock, lifting his hand. All cars have air conditioning. Most drivers said in English. It should be borne in mind that in the evening in a taxi queue uncommon, especially in the shopping center on Orchard Road and at the time of arrival of the ferry in Harbor Front Centre. Each machine is equipped with a counter so that the fare charged by meter reading. The fare to the taxi depends on the time of day and route. In any case, to be paid landing (about 2.40 Singapore dollars). Every mile is worth about 50 cents. Over the entrance to the main street, in the business center or expressways charged extra 0.75 to S $ 3, depending on the time and day of the week, for a trip between 00.00 and 06.00 am - an additional 50%, for a trip between 07.30 to 09.30 and 17.00 - 20.00 - additional 1 Singapore dollar. At the end of the trip you can ask for the check, which specifies the distance, start and end time away. You can order a taxi by phone, which will cost about 5 Singapore dollars.
 
Pedicabs not popular with the local population. This type of transport can be used to more exotic Asian feel. The price and itinerary should agree in advance. Currently trishaw - more attraction than the actual vehicle, so travel on it will be more expensive than a taxi.

In Singapore, there are branches of all major car rental companies. In order to take the car to rent, you must have a valid driver's license and passport. People can take a car at the age of 21, and with the experience of driving at least 1 year. In Singapore, rent a car is expensive, it will cost around U.S. $ 200 a day. More profitable to rent a vehicle with a driver, the minimum cost of a lease - from $ 30 per hour.

It should be remembered that the movement in Singapore drive on the left, and for a ride without a seat belt will be charged. Coupons for the parking in the city and the central business district can be purchased at any kiosk in the mail, or gas stations.

You can also rent a boat to explore the Singapore River.
 
Sentosa Island is accessible by ferry or bus. And between Singapore and Sentosa is lift, built high above Straits (Cable Car). From her cabin offers breathtaking views of the bay, port, residential neighborhoods and skyscrapers of Singapore. At the cable car station three - Mount Faber, Harbour and Sentosa. Travel one stop is 7.5 Singapore dollar, four - 8.9 dollar.
Shops

Most shopping centers open daily from 9.00 to 20.00. Purchase. Photo and audio products, compact discs are often cheaper than anywhere else. It has everything for computers imported and locally made, but we need to check on what voltage it all calculated. Very cheap freshwater pearls of all kinds. Shopping is best done on Orchard Road, in the store at the Jim Thompson "Orchard Parade." Worth visiting antique shops. Here you will find everything you want: the old and new china, sculptures made of mahogany, stone lions (they are sold in pairs only), delicate, ivory model pagodas inlaid furniture ...
Link

Singapore has a telephone with virtually all countries of the world. Cheapest calls from pay phones, which can be found everywhere. They work like the coins of 10 cents (old model phones), and calling card in denominations of 2, 10, 20, 50 dollars.
Electricity

Voltage network in Singapore 220V, 50Hz.
Tip

Tipping in Singapore give is not accepted, as in hotels and restaurants, they are already included in the bill.
Water

In this, one of the cleanest cities in the world, you can drink water straight from the tap. And do not worry about your stomach!
Tips and tricks

Singapore - one of the safest cities in which you should not even worry about a woman traveling alone. The laws in Singapore are carried out very strictly. Even the slightest deviation from them is punishable by a fine. Here are some of them: do not use drugs, anyone who imports into the country of more than 30 grams of morphine or 15g of heroin faces the death penalty, smoking in enclosed public places (in buses, elevators, cinemas, theaters, public institutions, restaurants and shops) is prohibited law. Penalty - 1000 Sing. dollars. In the outdoor restaurants and cafes can smoke. Always cross the road at a pedestrian crossing. If there is no transition, a pedestrian bridge or underpass, cross the road at traffic lights. The penalty for crossing the road in the wrong place - 500 sing.doll. not littering and spitting on the sidewalk and the road. Penalty - 500 sing.doll.
Weekends and holidays

Holidays and significant dates, celebrated in Singapore, reflecting its multi-ethnic character, the variety of religious denominations. Dates of many holidays vary from year to year, as they are based on the lunar calendar. Non-working days in Singapore are:

January 1 - New Year
January 23 - Chinese New Year
March 25 - Hari Raya Puasa (the end of the Muslim month of Ramadan)
Good Friday - the Easter Rising
May 1 - Labor Day
6 May - Vesak (the festival in honor of the Buddha)
June 1 - Hari Raya Haji (holy day for Muslims, many in this day go to Mecca)
August 9 - National Day
November 13 - Divapali (Indian Festival of Lights)
December 25 - Christmas Day
 
In July, Singapore's largest island restaurants festival meal, accompanied by carnivals, various attractions and training courses for local food production.
Main Attractions

The town consists of sharply contrasting areas: the business and administrative centers, rich greens, and in the European area, which was built on a regular plan (from 1819, architect T. Raffles, etc.) dominate the eclectic building of the XIX century. and examples of modern architecture.

"Marine Facade" Sipadan built up multi-storey buildings that house shops, banks, offices (mainly in the functionalist spirit).

In Chinatown - narrow streets, low-rise housing, combined with benches, in the Malay region - pile houses and mosques. Ultramodern buildings and monumental buildings of the last century, Hindu temples, Buddhist pagodas, mosques, the goods of the most remote and exotic corners of the world - this is the image of Singapore.

Sentosa Island - is a luxurious resort, amusement park and rides for all ages. In addition to exciting attractions, such as Vulkanolend, there are many other interesting places: Musical fountains, three museums - "The founders of Singapore", the Museum of rare stones and the Maritime Museum, the largest in Southeast Asia Aquarium - Underwater World, with a transparent underwater tunnel length of 100 m Gardens "Howe Par Villa Tiger Balme" - hundreds of statues of the heroes of ancient Chinese myths and legends, "vibrant" with electronic devices, cultural and historical park "Village of the Tang Dynasty," where theatrical performances are held - dating and marriage ceremonies, battles soldiers, a wax museum, a room of fear and Terracotta Warriors Museum, with fragments of terracotta sculptures found during excavations in the Chinese city of Xi'an.

Butterfly Park - a unique collection of butterflies, flying in freedom under the highly stretched mesh. In Jurong Park (west of Singapore), the most interest is the "Bird Park" with parrots and flamingos, penguins and birds of prey, and a center of research and scientific technology "Discovery". Also, have to visit the Singapore Botanic Gardens, which is located in the orchid garden and the zoo to show trained orangutans and sea lions, a particularly interesting evening, after sunset. It is also impossible to miss the opportunity to go to "cruise" on a Chinese junk. There are a lot of bars, clubs, discos, casinos and other entertainment venues.

If you are traveling with children, you should visit the crocodile farm and park golden orchids. Singapore Orchid Park - a place, not comparable to anything else. It is filled and overflowing with vicious-sweet fragrance is the finest in the world of flowers. Orchids, spotted and striped like a strange insect or bird of paradise, crammed along quiet lanes. And in the middle of the park, in the pavilion, you can buy souvenirs - perhaps the most original in the world. Live orchid completely covered with a thin layer of gold deposited. Flesh with istaivaet, remains the gold is like a flower, and is dead accurate.