Asian Time Zone

Singapore consists of 63 islands, including the main island, and is the second most densely populated independent country in the world after Monaco. It borders Malaysia to the north and is otherwise surrounded by the Singapore Strait. The country has a sea border with Indonesia.

Singapore was formerly a Malay fishing village when it was colonized by Britain in the 19th century. It was occupied by Japan during World War II and was later part of the merger that established the Federation of Malaysia. When Singapore became independent, it was socio-politically unstable and economically underdeveloped, as it had few natural resources. Foreign investment and rapid state-controlled industrialization have since created an economy based on the export of electronics and manufactured goods, mainly from its port.

According to the Quality of Life Index compiled by the Economist Intelligence Unit, Singapore has the highest standard of living in Asia, ranking 11th in the world. In the UN’s more famous HDI index, Singapore comes in 25th place, after only Japan and Hong Kong in Asia. Measured by GDP per capita, Singapore is the 22nd richest country. The comparatively high ranking of the Economist Intelligence Unit reflects the importance that this index places on stable family life and low levels of crime.

Singapore is being developed into the water with the help of land taken from its own hills, seabed and neighboring countries. As a result, Singapore grew from 581.5 km2 in the 1960s to 697.2 km2 today, and can grow another 100 km2 until 2030. Approximately 23 percent of Singapore’s land area, despite the large urbanization, consists of forests and nature reserves.

According to Countryaah, Singapore is a popular destination and tourism is one of the country’s largest industries. The Orchard Road district, dominated by shopping malls and multi-storey hotels, is the center of tourism in Singapore. Other popular tourist destinations include Singapore Zoo and Sentosa Island. To attract more tourists, the government decided in 2005 to legalize gambling and allow two casinos.

ELECTRICAL OUTLET

Electricity and electrical outlets in Singapore

Voltage: 230 V

Frequency: 50 Hz

Type of plug: G

Need an adapter: Yes, Swedes need an adapter.

Type G (BS 1363)

BS 1363, also called type G, is a British three-pronged plug.

CLIMATE AND WEATHER

Weather in Singapore