Singapore General Information

Climate

Singapore has a mild tropical climate with abundant rainfall throughout the year. Temperatures reach a maximum of 90°F (32°C) during the day, falling to a pleasant 75°F (24°C) during evening hours.  There are no distinct wet or dry seasons but the heaviest rainfall occurs between November and January.

Currency

The unit of currency is the Singapore Dollars (S$).  One US Dollar is approximately equivalent to S$1.75.

Languages

Singapore’s population of 3.8 million people is cosmopolitan with three main ethnic groups, the Chinese (78%), Malays (14%) and Indian (7%).  There are four official languages: English, Malay, Chinese (Mandarin) and Tamil.  English is the business language and is widely spoken.

Food

Eating out in Singapore offers the greatest feast in the East.  From street-side hawker stalls to Cordon bleu, the city is home to a mouth-watering array of Chinese, Indian and Malay cuisines as well as culinary favorites from all over the world.  There are eating places to suit every purse, mood and taste - from open-air foodstalls to the plush restaurants of the city’s world-class hotels.

Shopping

Singapore is truly a shoppers’ paradise.  Treasures from both the sophisticated West and the exotic Orient have come together here at prices much lower than in their countries of origin.  Most cameras, watches, stereo equipment and electrical goods are sold almost duty-free in Singapore.  Custom tailoring for both men and women is reputed for its reasonable cost and excellent workmanship.  Elegant off-the peg fashions and the finest haute couture from Paris, Milan, London and New York are available.

Public Transport

Transportation is comprehensive and inexpensive.  The fastest way to get around Singapore is by the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system, which has frequent stops around the city area and also serves some tourist attractions.  Trains operate from 6 a.m. to midnight and come at intervals ranging from three to eight minutes, depending on the time of the day. The MRT fares range from S$0.60 to S$1.70 maximum per trip.