Singapore landscapes

Singapore is a very young city-state, an island country made up of 63 islands. Through years, Singapore had been a part of various local empires since it was first inhabited in the second century AD.

The British, who were extending their dominion in India, and whose trade with China in the second half of the 18th century was expanding, saw the need for a port of call in this region to protect their merchant fleet, as well as to forestall any advance by the Dutch in the East Indies. As a result, they established trading posts in Penang (1786) and Singapore (1819), and captured Malacca from the Dutch (1795).

Modern Singapore was founded by Sir Stamford Raffles in 1819 with permission from the Sultanate of Johor, as a trading post of the East India Company. The British obtained full sovereignty over the island in 1824 and Singapore became one of the British Straits Settlements in 1826. Singapore was occupied by the Japanese in World War II and reverted to British rule after the war.

The British forces returned in September 1945 and Singapore came under the British Military Administration. When the period of military administration ended in March 1946, the Straits Settlements was dissolved. On 1 April 1946, Singapore became a Crown Colony. Penang and Malacca became part of the Malayan Union in 1946, and later the Federation of Malaya in 1948.

It became internally self-governing in 1959. Singapore united with other former British territories to form Malaysia in 1963 and became a fully independent state two years later after separation from Malaysia. Since then it has had a massive increase in wealth, and is one of the Four Asian Tigers.

Today, Singapore is a world leader in several areas: It is the world's fourth-leading financial centre, the world's second-biggest casino gambling market, and the world's third-largest oil refining centre. The port of Singapore is one of the five busiest ports in the world, most notable for being the busiest transshipment port in the world. The country is home to more US dollar millionaire households per capita than any other country. The World Bank notes Singapore as the easiest place in the world to do business.

1. Singapore Zoo: Singapore Zoological Gardens are spectacular and you shouldn't miss this if you have the chance to visit it.
2. Merlion, Chinatown, Little India and Clarque Quai are special places which you can see in one day...
3. Sentosa Resort & Spa will offer you great special surprises and is the most appropriate place if you are looking for a lot of FUN
4. Singapore Botanic Gardens and if you get here, pay special attention to the National Orchid Garden
5. Marina Bay Sands is a must at least for the awesome view and the luxury services they offer

Singapore is famous for its variety of food and shopping. Here you can find a short list including famous shopping malls in Singapore:

1.Orchard Road, would be the most popular and most commonly heard names if anyone should mention about shopping. This place is the central hub, also known as the 'city' of Singapore, and it is well known among tourists. Orchard Road offers major departmental stores, supermarkets, movie theatres, restaurants. famous hotels and other entertainment outlets.

ION Orchard is one of the latest iconic shopping mall with a spectacular frontage and cutting edge designs and concepts.

2.Marina Square is in the same district as the popular business centre, Suntec City and shopping mall- Millenia Walk. It is currently linked underpass thru City Hall MRT- with a new underground shopping centre called Raffles Link. Popular hotels like Raffles Hotel, Marina Mandarin, Oriental and Pan Pacific; are also found there. Nice shopping places there are Suntec City and Marina Square.

3. Parkway Parade is an established shopping area where all retailers and shops are housed under one shopping centre. You can find departmental stores like Marks and Spencer and Isetan. You can expect to find good food, designer coffee chains to good apparel shops here. A highly recommended place to go for hose who have never visited Parkway Parade. It is situated in the east side of Singapore.

4. Chinatown is a bargain galore, you can find antique pieces, Chinese culture artifacts, apparels, accessories, food at really cheap prices. Well known buildings are Chinatown Complex, People's Park Complex, Chinatown Point and People's Park Centre.

5. Little India shared somewhat the same history as Chinatown, where merchants sold jewelry, gold, silk, utensils, spices to cater to the Indian and South Asian community in Singapore. This place sells a lot of gold, jewelry, clothing, textiles, spices and handicrafts. The exotic Indian religion, music and culture are easily discernible at every street corner.