Singapore: History, Culture, Religion and Tourism,

Singapore: History, Culture, Religion and Tourism

Singapore is located southeast of Asia, on the tip of the Malaysian peninsula. It is a beautiful city that is also known as the Garden City, the Lion City and the Red Dot. With its Marina Bay Sands, the Esplanade and the Merlion, Singapore is known for its world-famous attractions.

Singapore History:

It would not be an exaggeration to say that millions of international tourists flocking to Singapore in search of fashion, shopping, glitter and glamour, hardly know the correct history of this city-state on the southern tip of the Malaysian peninsula. 

It is a miracle that Singapore, the smallest country in Southeast Asia, is the location of several old port cities and a possession of different empires in its 'not so well-known' history.

First of all, when it was colonized by the United Kingdom in the 19th century, Singapore was nothing more than a small Malay fishing village, the first notes of which were made in Chinese texts in the 3rd century. 

The island that at that time bore the Javanese name "Temasek" and which happened to be an outpost of the Sumatran Srivijaya (an ancient Malaysian kingdom on the island of Sumatra) gradually grew into an important trading city. In the course of history, however, it had to become the victim of various political conflicts, which changed its destiny over time.

Singapore, for example, was part of the Sultanate of Johore, until it was set on fire in 1617 by Portuguese troops in the Malaysian-Portugal Wars. 

In 1819, the British East India Company again signed a treaty with the Sultan of Johore and established Singapore as a trading post and settlement. Later, in view of the immediate growth and immigration of various ethnic groups to Singapore, it was crowned by Britain in 1867. 

The status of the ruling British empire was soon declared by the ruling British empire to be that of a warehouse city because of its strategic location along the busy shipping routes that connect Europe with China.

Destiny had written a few dramatic twists for Singapore, "The Lion City," as it was also called. Further occupied by the Japanese empire in World War II, it eventually became part of the merger that formed the "Federation of Malaysia." 

Eventually, after much arguing with the federal government in Kuala Lumpur, the nation eventually became independent in 1965.

What we see today as a paradise for tourists, however, was for years a young nation struggling for self-sufficiency. Overloaded with massive unemployment, housing shortages and lack of land and natural resources such as oil, it was a sociopolitically volatile and economically undeveloped nation, relying massively on foreign investment and government-led industrialization. 

The situation began to change after Lee Kuan Yew became Prime Minister in 1959. Within three decades, his government curbed unemployment, raised living standards, and developed Singapore's economic infrastructure, elevating Singapore to a developing country and then developing status.

In recent years, the country has tackled various disasters, including the Asian financial crisis of 1997, the outbreak of SARS in 2003 and terrorist threats from the Jemaah Islamiah (JI).

Singapore Economy:

It is really encouraging to know that with 63 surrounding islands and with a total area of ​​682 square km, the main island of Singapore, with its market economy, has become a thriving centre of trade and industry in just 150 years.

Singapore has successfully expanded its production base after having been a 'lagging fishing village' for many years and is now flourishing in various industries, including shipping (Singapore is today the busiest port in the world with more than 600 shipping companies sending supertankers, container ships and passenger ships) , production of electronic components and especially the thriving travel / tourism sector. 

The island city is on the tip of the Malaysian peninsula and has undergone various political and economic attacks. There are now four million people living there, also with one of the highest gross domestic products per capita in the world. 

Singapore's economic progress as a nation can be an enriching example of how a mere "fishing village" and a British naval base can be reborn for decades as an important financial, commercial and educational centre for Southeast Asia.

The honor for this resurrection goes to the PAP government, which, assisted by a forward-looking Dutch economic adviser, realized the need to preserve its colonial legacy by attracting foreign capital from the developed world to establish export-oriented industries, while at the same time building up a modern services sector in Singapore based on banking and financial services. 

Needless to say, this economic strategy turned out to be a phenomenal success, with real growth averaging 8.0% from 1960 to 1999. So, depending on foreign investment and expertise, while at the same time strong state-owned companies were built up, infrastructure delivery, Housing, transportation and other basic services for the local population started to increase considerably, and the old Singapore consisting of overcrowded and unsanitary slums was strategically demolished.

In recent years, the Singapore Government's trade policy, including a commitment to free trade, active export promotion strategy, the "open arms" policy towards multinationals and support for trade liberalization, has made Singapore an economically stable nation. 

Over time, Singapore has also developed an export trade that thrives on medium-sized and high-quality electronic components. Such trade is undoubtedly focused on Singapore's key assets, including "hi-tech" sectors such as information technology and biotechnology.

Singapore Culture / Religion:

A cosmopolitan society with a harmonious interaction between different races, the inherent cultural diversity of the island is a source of one of the most important attractions of the nation. To be precise, this cultural diversity is the ultimate result of the diversity of the population, the mixing of different ethnic groups and the fusion of Chinese, Malaysian and Indian immigrants. 

It is not unnatural to witness a Malaysian wedding taking place next to a Chinese wedding on an empty deck, on the ground floor of an HDB apartment building in the city of Singapore. Irregular marriages between the Chinese and the Indians are not unusual events in Singapore. 

In addition to the indigenous Malaysian population, Singapore accommodates a majority of the third generation of Chinese, as well as Indian and Arab immigrants. The varied mix of races, therefore, results in a considerable degree of cultural spread with its unique combination of ethnic groups. 

Perhaps that is one of the reasons why people would find a very little culture that is specifically Singaporean. There is, however, a Eurasian community and a Peranakan or "Straits Chinese" community (a community of mixed Chinese and Malaysian descent).

Such a significant degree of cultural spread has given Singapore a rich mix of diversity for its young age. One of the most important examples is the cuisine of Singapore, a huge cultural attraction for tourists. 

Chinese, Indian, Malay, Indonesian, Italian, Peranakan, Spanish, French, Thai and even Fusion are at the top of the menu. Speaking of art and culture, Singapore is an emerging cultural centre for art and culture worldwide, including theatre and music. 

Often called the "gateway between the East and the West", it has seen the emergence of various performing arts groups, especially in theatrical arts. A number of productions were successfully performed and various groups, including TheaterWorks, also performed abroad.

As a cosmopolitan and multiracial society, Singapore has also been the seat of major festivals of different ethnic groups affiliated with their respective religions. 

These also reflect the diversity of the varieties that reside there. While the Chinese are predominantly followers of Buddhism and Taoism, there are even Christians, Catholics and "free thinkers": those who do not affirm any religious beliefs. 

So in contemporary Singapore, religions tend to cross racial boundaries and even merge in unusual ways, combining some of the older generation mysteries with today's real world.

Singapore Travel / Tourism:

Celebrated worldwide and known as a delightful retreat for tourists, Singapore has been able to earn large revenues thanks to its thriving tourism industry. With the rise of tourism in Singapore, there is fierce competition between hotels to find the best slot machine. 

There are low-cost airlines that travel to Singapore today, including top fares, discounted airline tickets to Singapore and the like. A seat for the world's most delicious seafood, awe-inspiring sea beaches, impressive bird parks and night safaris responsible for a beautiful nature adventure, Singapore is nowadays a small dynamo in Southeast Asia, embodied the best of both East and West. 

Truly, the dynamic city rich in contrast and colour conquers the hearts of millions of global tourists with its harmonious mix of culture, cuisine, art and architecture and especially the unbridled energy.

Entering this cosmopolitan, multicultural city, one experiences the blend of flavours from all over the world, the nation's multicultural heritage will undoubtedly wipe its feet as it discovers an ever-changing mosaic of fascinating contrasts. 

Thus the amalgamation of ancient beliefs and contemporary culture, of rich legacies and sleek modern life makes Singapore an ever-younger, always enchanting nation for tourists.

Tourism interests in Singapore: 

While tourism is constantly affecting ChinaTown, a cultural part of Singapore, with shops and street vendors offering a glimpse into the past, the Asian Civilizations Museum (a diverse cultural museum) is there for antiques as a ninth exhibit -yellow Buddha and a Chinese snuff box. 

For lovers of art and architecture, the Thian Hock Keng Temple (historic Taoist temple near Singapore's waterfront) happens to be a religious place that you should 'view'. Another wonder is the unforgettable Singapore Art Museum, which since its opening in 1996 has been offering an immense rotating collection of sculptures and art from Singapore and Malay. 

If you like shopping and good food, there is Orchard Road, the cosy shopping and dining area, often called Singapore's "Park Avenue". For lovers of spectacular underwater beauty, there is the underwater world of Sentosa, with the awesome beauty of a whole different world beneath the seas.

All said and done, the strategic location of Singapore, its cultural contrasts and various tourist attractions contribute to its success as a leading destination for both business and leisure travellers.