Tourism is Singapore’s major industry and attracts millions of tourists each year. Singapore is also environmentally friendly, and maintains many natural and heritage conservation programs.

English is one of the official languages. Generally it’s easier to communicate with local people. Singapore's favorite pastime is shopping. From fascinating antiques to luxury labels. The latest gadgets to ethnic crafts, you'll find them all. Also one of the best places on earth for sampling the astonishing variety of Asia's many cuisines. There are formal restaurants galore, but what you are looking for is the city's wealth of street food where visiting dignitaries bond with cab drivers at all hours of the day. Its cultural attraction can be attributed to its cultural diversity that reflects its colonial history and Chinese, Malay, Indian and Arab ethnicities.

The Merlion has been erected as a symbol to welcome all visitors to Singapore. Year 1964 Mr Fraser Brunner designed The Merlion as an emblem for the Singapore Tourism Board. The Merlion has a lion head and a fish body resting on a crest of waves.

Ancient time Singapore was known as Temasek, a Javanese word for sea. In the 11th century A.D, Prince Sang Nila Utama of the Sri Vijaya Empire rediscovered the island. When the Prince first landed on Singapore's shores, he sighted a mystical beast which he later learnt was a lion. The Prince then decided to name the island "Singapura" which in Sanskrit means Lion (Singa) City (Pura).

Location
South-East Asia.

Time
GMT + 8.

Area
697.1 sq km (269 sq miles).

Population
4.6 million (official figure 2007).

Population Density
6,584 per sq km.

Capital
Singapore.

Population: 4.6 million (2007).

Geography
The island of Singapore is situated off the southern extremity of the Malay Peninsula, to which it is joined by causeways carrying road, railway and water pipe. The Johor Strait between the island and the Malaysian mainland is about 1km (0.8 miles) wide. The Republic of Singapore consists of 63 islands and islets. It is a mainly flat country with low hills, the highest being Bukit Timah at 163m (545ft). In the northeast of the island, and in the urban district, large areas have been reclaimed, and much of the original jungle and swamp covering the low-lying areas has been cleared.

Government
Republic. Gained full independence in 1965.

Head of State
President S R Nathan since 1999, re-elected in 2005.

Head of Government
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong since 2004.

Recent History
In both January 1997 and September 2001, opposition parties decided to contest only a small proportion (about one-third) of the 83 seats. Unsurprisingly, the People's Action Party (PAP) won both polls comfortably. Goh was widely expected to stand down in favour of Lee Junior finally doing so in August 2004. In September 2005, S R Nathan began his second six-year term as President of Singapore. He won the election after the other contenders were disqualified for not meeting the strict selection criteria. Singapore staged the high profile IMF/World Bank meeting in 2006, and its first F1 Grand Prix in 2008.

Language
Mandarin Chinese, English, Malay and Tamil. English is used as the main language of communication.

Religion
Taoist, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu and Muslim.