"SINGAPORE - MY COUNTRY, ..." a Singapore Travel Page by gracekkh2004

The first historical chronicle of Singapore appeared inthe 3rd century when it was described as "Pu-luo-chung" ("island at the end of a peninsula"). By the 14th century, the island had become part of the mighty Sri Vijayan empire and was known as Temasek ("Sea Town"). An innocuous encounter with a tiger by a visiting Sri Vijayan prince who mistook the animal for a lion gave rise to a new name for this small island - "Singa Pura", "Lion City".

Singapore's population of four million comprises 77% Chinese, 14% Malays, 8% Indians and 1% Eurasians and people of other descent. Although the original inhabitants were Malay fisherman, five centuries of social and economic development contrived to create a modern cultural melting pot as settlers came from China, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, the Middle East, Europe, among others. Though inter-marriages have taken place over the years, each racial group with Singapore part of Singapore community.

Singapore is located at one of the major crossroads of the world, the South China sea, a mere 136 km north of the Equator and on the Southern tip of the Malay Peninsular. Singapore is not just one island but a main island with over surrounding islets. The main island has a total land area of about 640 square km.

It is linked to Malaysia by two causeway bridges and the key islands of the Riau archipelago of Indonesia are just a quick ferry trip away. A gateway to Southeast Asia, the rest of Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines are within a 3-hour flight radius, served by an airport with more than 69 airlines in operation.