Singapore is not a country but a global city. It is also called world city. Singapore is the only city-state which consists of islands and thus came to be known as island country. The names of other city-states are Vatican City and Monaco. Singapore is among one of the Four Asian Tigers. The names of other three are Taiwan, Hong Kong and South Korea. Singapore is the financial hub and world’s most business-friendly state. It is also one of the top tourist destinations worldwide. So what makes this state unique and fascinating? Let’s check out more in Singapore facts for kids!
Largest town (Population-wise): Bedok New Town
Currency: Singapore Dollar
Official languages: English, Malay, Mandarin, Tamil
Interesting Facts about Singapore History
- The term Singapore comes from Singapura, which is a Malay word. Singapura was formed by combining two Sanskrit terms i.e. Singa meaning Lion and Pura meaning city. Thus, Singapore means the ‘Lion City’.
- The founder of Singapore is Thomas Stamford Raffles. He was a British statesman. He arrives here in 1819 and by negotiating treatises with Sultan Hussein Shah of Johor (Johore, a Malaysian state), he manages to capture the entire island of Singapore.
- At a time when British East India Company gets there, Singapore was home to just about one thousand people. Majority of these were indigenous people of Malaysia (known as Orang Asal) but there were also small number of Chinese.
- In 1870s, the main purpose of most of the travelers was to find work in the cultivated areas of rubber. With time the plantation of rubber became so flourishing that before long Singapore became the most important island for the export of rubber.
- Before the start of World War II, Singapore was the most important military base for the British troops in South-East Asia.
- During the time of British, Singapore was known as ‘Gibraltar of the East’
- The Empire of Japan attacked Singapore on February 8, 1942 and defeated the British troops. This battle is known as Fall of Singapore.
- When the Japanese occupied Singapore, they called it by the name of ‘Syonan-to’ which means ‘Light of the South’.
- The British troops re-conquered Singapore on September 12, 1945.
- The Federation of Malaya consisted of 11 states and gained freedom in 1957. In 1963, the federation included Singapore and came to be known as Malaysia. The other two British colonies included in the federation were North Borneo and Sarawak.
- Singapore gained freedom from Malaysia on August 9, 1965.
- The first Prime Minister as well as the founding father of Singapore is Lee Kuan Yew (or LKY).
Simple Facts about Singapore
- The main island of Singapore is shaped like a diamond.
- It consists of 62 islets (very small islands).
- The biggest and most important island of Singapore is Pulau Ujong, which means ‘island at the end’.
Cool Singapore Facts for Kids
- Singapore is the biggest producer of oil-rig in the world.
- According to a World Bank’s survey of ‘Ease of Doing Business’, Singapore ranks top of the list of countries where business is very easy to start up.
- In terms of technology, Singapore tops the list of countries according to World Economic Forum’s Global Information Technology Report.
- Singapore ranks top of the list among countries where maximum number of international meetings are held.
- It ranks at the second position among the world’s most competitive countries as per the WEF’s Global Competitiveness Report (GCR).
- Singapore is home to second biggest market for casino gambling activities.
- The Port of Singapore ranks at the second position among the busiest ports of the world in terms of containers. It is also the largest centre for ship refueling in the world. The world’s busiest port is in Shanghai, China.
- It ranks at the third position among the foreign exchange centres of the world.
- It ranks at the fourth position among the leading financial centres of the world.
- The healthcare system of Singapore is ranked sixth in the world by World Health Organization.
- It ranks at the eleventh position among states having biggest foreign reserves.
- It is the world’s 14th biggest exporter.
- It is the world’s 15th biggest importer.
- The military of Singapore is the most advanced in Southeast Asia
- Singapore Airline has received world’s maximum number of awards.
- Out of eight airfields of Singapore, Changi Airport is the best landing field in the world.
Strange Facts about Singapore
- In terms of millionaires, Singapore has highest percentage of millionaires in the world.
- Nearly 44 percent of people working in Singapore are foreign workers.
- There is no minimum wage for a worker in Singapore.
- Singapore ranks at the fourth position among countries that have longer life expectancies.
- The fares of taxicab are cheaper in Singapore as compare to other advanced countries.
- Singapore is home to the highest penetration rates of smartphones in the world.
- The vehicles are comparatively more expansive than in other developed countries.
- About 23 percent of the inhabitants of Singapore have been born outside their country (2010-census).
