50 Fascinating Facts about Singapore

Traveling in South East lead us to also explore Singapore, which borders with Malaysia in the south. We did a one day trip from Johor Bahru to Singapore which was very tiring but we explored it to the fullest given the circumstances.

As many of our readers know, before we explore a country, we try to gather as many facts as possible; and now having our own blog – we share these facts with our readers – let’s learn together!

Here are 50 amazing facts about Singapore, and many – we definitely did not know.

Tiny yet Mighty: Singapore is one of the smallest countries in the world, with a total land area of just 728.6 square kilometers.

City-State: It is one of the only three remaining city-states in the world, the other two being Monaco and Vatican City.

Population Density: Despite its small size, Singapore has a population of over 5.7 million, making it one of the most densely populated countries.

Multicultural Society: The country is a melting pot of cultures, with Chinese, Malay, Indian, and Eurasian communities.

Four Official Languages: Singapore has four official languages: English, Malay, Mandarin, and Tamil.

National Language: Malay is the national language of Singapore.

Efficient Public Transport: The MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) system is one of the world’s most efficient and extensive public transport networks ( we used it when we were in Singapore and we loved it! It is also very budget friendly and kids are free!)

Green City: Singapore is known as the “Garden City” due to its extensive green spaces and efforts to incorporate nature into urban areas.

Orchard Road: This iconic shopping street is famous for its wide array of luxury brands and department stores.

Hawker Centres: These are popular food courts offering a variety of affordable and delicious local dishes.

Marina Bay Sands: This integrated resort features the world’s largest rooftop infinity pool- we were very surprised to see the resort from the inside to find it hollow!

Changi Airport: Consistently ranked as one of the best airports in the world, it includes attractions like a butterfly garden and a giant slide. We also saw THE JEWEL (the waterfall or the cascade of water coming down in the middle surrounded by lush greenery and all of it – INSIDE of the airport) and YES – it is amazing!

Singapore Flyer: One of the largest observation wheels in the world, offering breathtaking views of the city.

Sentosa Island: A popular resort island known for attractions like Universal Studios Singapore and S.E.A. Aquarium.

Botanic Gardens: A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it houses the National Orchid Garden with over 1,000 species and 2,000 hybrids.

Night Safari: The world’s first nocturnal zoo.

Strict Laws: Singapore is known for its strict laws and regulations, which contribute to its low crime rate.

Cleanliness: The city is renowned for its cleanliness; chewing gum is banned to help maintain this.

Education System: Singapore has one of the highest-ranking education systems in the world.

High GDP: It has one of the highest GDP per capita in the world.

Public Housing: Over 80% of Singaporeans live in public housing provided by the Housing Development Board (HDB).

Merlion: The Merlion, a mythical creature with a lion’s head and a fish’s body, is the national symbol of Singapore.

Formula 1: Singapore hosts the annual Singapore Grand Prix, which is the first and only F1 night race.

Climate: Singapore has a tropical rainforest climate with no distinct seasons, consistent temperatures, and high humidity year-round.

Expats: It is a popular destination for expatriates, with a large international community.

Religious Diversity: There are numerous religious buildings in close proximity, such as the Sultan Mosque, Sri Mariamman Temple, and Buddha Tooth Relic Temple.

Singapore Sling: This iconic cocktail was created at the Raffles Hotel.

Little India: A vibrant district known for its cultural diversity and the annual Deepavali celebrations.

Chinatown: A bustling heritage district with historic temples, markets, and delicious street food.

Singapore Zoo: Renowned for its open-concept exhibits and naturalistic habitats.

National Day: Celebrated on August 9, commemorating Singapore’s independence from Malaysia in 1965.

Sustainable Development: The city is a global leader in sustainable urban development and green building practices.

Public Safety: Singapore is one of the safest cities in the world.

Strict Drug Laws: Drug trafficking carries a mandatory death penalty.

Cultural Festivals: Singapore celebrates a variety of cultural festivals, including Chinese New Year, Hari Raya Puasa, Deepavali, and Christmas.

Street Art: The city has a vibrant street art scene, especially in neighborhoods like Haji Lane.

Education: Home to prestigious institutions like the National University of Singapore (NUS) and Nanyang Technological University (NTU).

Financial Hub: Singapore is a major international financial center.

Port: One of the busiest ports in the world in terms of total shipping tonnage.

Technology: Singapore is at the forefront of technological innovation and smart city initiatives.Political Stability: The country is known for its political stability and effective governance.

Tourist Destination: Over 19 million tourists visited Singapore in 2019.

Biodiversity: Despite its urbanization, Singapore is home to a rich biodiversity, including over 2,100 native plant species.

Gastronomy: Singaporean cuisine is diverse, influenced by Chinese, Malay, Indian, and Peranakan traditions.

No Tipping Culture: Tipping is not customary in Singapore.

Water Management: Known for its advanced water management system, including NEWater, a high-grade reclaimed water.

Public Safety: Singapore has one of the lowest crime rates in the world.

Languages: English is the language of instruction in schools.Sentosa: The name Sentosa means “peace and tranquility” in Malay.

UNESCO Sites: Besides the Botanic Gardens, Singapore’s hawker culture was also recognized by UNESCO in 2020 for its cultural significance.

Small but diverse and mighty and these facts is a great way to know at least a little bit about this relatively new country.