Singapore

With a population between 3 and 4 million, over 75% Chinese, Singapore is a small city-country well known for being efficient and safe, with a mouthwatering food scene and great shopping. Although it is one of the 20 smallest countries in the world, its economy is a world leader, and has the world's busiest port in terms of tonnage handled. Half lion and half fish, the mythical Merlion creature is the official tourism icon of Singapore. Built in 1972, the grand Merlion statue stands in Merlion Park with the Central Business District behind.

Half lion and half fish, Merlion is the official tourism icon of Singapore, situated in Merlion Park with the Central Business District behind.

The Singapore National Orchid Garden features the vanda Miss Joaquim hybrid orchid, Singapore’s national flower that was discovered in 1893 by Agnes Joaquim in her garden.

The Singapore National Orchid Garden features the vanda Miss Joaquim hybrid orchid, Singapore’s national flower.

From the Swissotel Equinox restaurant on the 70th floor, I took photos of the downtown towers, the Singapore River, and the Padong as the lights came on.

From the Swissotel Equinox restaurant on the 70th floor, I took photos of the downtown towers, the Singapore River, and the Padong as the lights came on.

The regal Raffles Hotel opened in 1887 as a 10-room bungalow, and exactly one hundred years later in 1987, it was declared a national monument. The hotel has seen its fair share of kings and queens, presidents and movie stars. We couldn’t afford to stay there are, but we did go in to gaze at its elegance and style.

The regal Raffles Hotel opened in 1887 as a 10-room bungalow, and exactly one hundred years later in 1987, it was declared a national monument.

With a population between 3 and 4 million, over 75% Chinese, Singapore is a small city-country well known for being efficient and safe, with a mouthwatering food scene and great shopping. Although it is one of the 20 smallest countries in the world, its economy is a world leader, and has the world's busiest port in terms of tonnage handled. The name Singapore was derived from Malay words singa (lion) and pura (city).

The main island was a fishing village sparsely populated by indigenous Malays and Orang Lauts. In 1819, Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles landed on the main island and, seeing its potential, Raffles signed a treaty with Sultan Hussein Shah on behalf of the British East India Company to develop Singapore as a trading post and settlement.

Occupied by the Japanese Empire during World War II, it reverted to British rule in 1945 and was later part of the merger which established Malaysia in 1963. Singapore acquired independence in 1965. During Lee Kuan Yew's term as prime minister from 1959 to 1990, his administration curbed unemployment, raised the standard of living and implemented a large-scale public housing program.