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 A microcosm of the Far East at the crossroads of Asia, Singapore lies strategically poised at the tip of the Malay Peninsula. Once a sleepy fishing village, Singapore is now considered by many to be the most modern city in all of Asia.
Since gaining full independence from Malaysia in 1965, the absorbing city-state of Singapore - which measures just 360 square miles and is linked by a half mile-long causeway to southern Malaysia - has been transformed from a quiet colonial town to a pristine, futuristic metropolis. It's one of Southeast Asia's most accessible destinations, with a downtown area dense with towering skyscrapers and gleaming shopping malls, while sprawling new towns ring the center, with their own separate communities and well-planned facilities.
Visitors prepared to peer beneath the state's squeaky-clean surface will discover a profusion of age-old buildings, values and traditions that have survived in the face of profound social and geographical change. And the island has not been overwhelmed by development - even as you make your way in from the airport, you'll be struck immediately by Singapore's abundance of parks, nature reserves, and lush, tropical greenery.
Singapore's unique customs and colorful festivals of the different ethnic groups highlight the nation's incredible cultural heritage. Singapore's people are largely descendants of immigrants from the Malay Peninsula, China, the Indian sub-continent and Sri Lanka. They have slowly acquired a distinct identity as Singaporeans while still retaining their traditional practices, customs and festivals.
Singapore is a small, highly developed parliamentary democracy. Tourist facilities are modern and widely available.
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