With every turn and at every corner, you will come across something in Singapore that will have you amazed and with a sense of curiosity that will want you exploring, discovering and learning some more. In the last decade or so, Singapore has really grown into an urbanised giant while still maintaining its cultural and rustic roots. But even today, there are numerous things about Singapore that tourists and travellers will find interesting. From learning about the online bus ticket system to being the first country to have a night zoo to the backstory of the Merlion, there are a lot of interesting facts that one can learn about Singapore.
Fascinating Facts About Singapore
1. It’s home to the world’s first-night zoo
One of the most unique experiences you can have in Singapore is the Night Safari. It is the first-ever nocturnal experience and unlike any other visit to the zoo. The night zoo opened in 1994 and is currently home to over 1,000 animals living in their naturalistic nighttime environments. The 40-minute tram ride takes you through the park’s main attractions so be sure to amble along and witness a true one-of-a-kind experience.
2. Bus conductors in Singapore got redeployed after the introduction of self-service ticketing machine and online bus ticket portals
Bus conductors in Singapore were responsible for selling bus tickets and ensuring commuters do not cheat the system by travelling beyond what they have paid for! With the introduction of self-service ticketing systems and the rise in the popularity of online bus ticket portals, bus conductors got redeployed in other job roles rather than being unemployed. They became ticket inspectors, traffic inspectors, timekeepers, schedulers, etc!
3. It is one of the smallest countries in the world
While it may be made up of 64 islands, Singapore is actually one of the smallest countries in the world. The main island is only 42 kilometres long and 23 kilometres wide with a total land area of just 683 square kilometres.
4. It’s one of the world’s greenest cities
Everywhere you look, you will be greeted with a pleasant and pleasing sight of lush greenery. Singapore is one of the greenest and cleanest countries in the world with nearly half of Singapore’s land area being enveloped in green cover. While it is home to a fair share of parks and gardens, there are also small pockets of undiscovered plant life here and there, housed in the most unusual of places. What’s more, the rich biodiversity in nature reserves too since Singapore houses over 2,100 native vascular plant species.
5. Littering is a huge offence in Singapore.
You better not go around throwing things on the streets! If found littering, you will have to pay SGD 300 as a fine. If you litter big items such as cans and bottles, you can land up with a Corrective Work Order where you will have to wear a bright green glowing vest and clean up a certain specified area. This is a punishment where you are shamed publicly and to make you realise how difficult it is to be a cleaner or sweeper.
6. Singapore’s flag is symbolic of its beliefs
Singapore’s flag has been designed in a manner that every element symbolises something – the red represents universal brotherhood and equality of man and the white symbolizes purity and virtue. The crescent moon stands for a young nation on the rise and the five stars signify the ideals of democracy, peace, progress, justice and equality.
7. Singlish is the local language of Singapore
Many are aware that Singapore has four official languages – English, Chinese, Malay, and Tamil. But what people don’t know is that there is a fifth language known as Singlish, a combination of Singaporean and English. But rather than being a broken language, it proves to be rather complicated and not something that tourists and foreigners can easily pick up on.
8. The ‘Lion City’ may actually have been inspired by a tiger
Singapore’s iconic emblem is the Merlion, a mythical creature with a lion’s head and a fish’s tail. It is partly inspired by the city’s Sanskrit name, Singapura, which translates to ‘lion city’. This name was apparently given by a 14th century Sumatran prince Sang Nila Utama, who ruled Temasek, a settlement on the Singapura island. It is to be believed that while on a hunting trip, the prince spotted a strange creature moving quickly and identified it as a lion. However, there were no records of lions being native to Singapore. So what he must have actually seen is a tiger for they used to be found in the wild in Singapore, up until the 1930s.
9. Singapore is actually a collection of 64 islands
If you think Singapore is just one big island, you’re in for a big surprise. Surrounded by many mini islands, Singapore is actually made up of St John’s Island, Kusu Island, Pulau Semakau, Pulau Ubin, Lazarus Island, and Sentosa. Most of the islands still remain uninhabited and while some welcome guests and offer tourism experiences, other islands are strictly off-limits.
10. Singapore has the only UNESCO heritage tropical gardens in the world
The 156-year old Singapore Botanic Gardens are the only tropical gardens that have been registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. These gardens also house the largest tropical orchid garden on the planet, the National Orchid Garden.
Conclusion
Singapore really is a mesmerising place with so much to learn about the history, culture, food, people, etc. Whether it is a luxury or budget holiday, leisurely moments of adventurous expeditions, there is something in store for everyone. There are many more such interesting facts about Singapore that will have you fascinated and curious enough to learn more.
