Singapore is famous worldwide as a thriving, dynamic centre for commerce and industry, it is situated almost on the equator. Singapore's central location, excellent facilities, cleanliness, fascinating cultural contrasts and tourist attractions draw an ever increasing number of visitors. It is a place of many interesting sights, from historic ethnic areas like Little India and Chinatown to tourist attractions like Sentosa, the Zoological Gardens, Jurong Bird Park, Haw Par Villa (Chinese mythological theme park), the Empress Place and Raffles Hotel. 

The island of Singapore is situated off the southern extremity of the Malay Peninsula, to which it is joined by a causeway carrying a road, railway and water pipe. The Johor Strait between the island and the mainland is about 1km wide. The Republic of Singapore includes some 64 islets. It is a mainly flat country with low hills, the highest being Bukit Timah at 163m (545ft). In the northeast of the island large areas have been reclaimed, and much of the original jungle and swamp covering the low-lying areas has been cleared.

Located just 2° north of the equator, Singapore enjoys a warm tropical weather that is relatively calm and consistent throughout the year. The average daily temperature is 26.7'C with a mean temperature of 30.8°C occurring in the afternoons and a minimum of 23.8°C just before dawn. Rainfall is most abundant during the Northeast Monsoon season from November to January. Much of the rain falls in sudden showers.

February is usually the sunniest month while December is often the wettest. However, July and August are the hottest months when average temperatures are at their peak.

Singapore's population is close to 3,600,000 comprises 77% ethnic Chinese, 15% Malay, 7% Indian, and 1% of people of other origin. Singapore's indigenous people were the Malays, but after the arrival of Sir Stamford Raffles and the establishment of a British East India Company, Singapore became the draw for thousands of immigrants.

It still retains its unique multiracial quality acquired from its early days when Arabs, Chinese, Europeans, Indians, and Straits-born Chinese came to live side by side with the indigenous Malays.

Over the years inter-marriages have taken place, each racial group has held onto its' own unique cultural identity while developing as an integral part of the Singapore community. It is a country where each race complements and supplements each other. 

Singapore is the food capital of Asia. Chinese, Indian, Malay, Indonesian and Western foods are all on offer, and some of the most tasty creations are those sold from the atmospheric street stalls. Nonya cooking is a local variation on Chinese and Malay food, mixing Chinese ingredients with local spices such as lemongrass and coconut cream. The popular spicy, coconut-based soup laksa is a classic Nonya dish. Singapore is a great place to discover tropical fruits. Some of the more unusual ones on offer include rambutan, mangosteen, durian, jackfruit, pomelo, starfruit, zirzat, buah duku, chiku and jeruk.