SINGAPORE

Singapore is a city of gardens and the heart of South East Asia. Its history began in 1819 with Thomas Stamford Raffles, a young official who worked for the British East India Company. Raffles estimated that the natural harbor was perfect for trading ships, so he bought the land from the Sultan of Johor and founded a trading settlement. As a free port, Singapore attracted trading ships from all over the world and today, 4 million people live here on an area that covers 640 square kilometres. In June each year, there is an exciting boat race in Marina Bay known as the Dragon Boat Race, that features magnificently painted dragon boats with hand-carved heads and tails accompanied by the sound of frenetic drumbeats. Dating back to colonial times, British influence is omnipresent, whether the Cricket Club or the Parliament, traditional English spirit rules despite Singapore's Independence. The World Famous Raffles Hotel is situated in the Colonial District near the Singapore River. In the hotel's Ashanti Bar, it was customary to throw expired peanut shells directly onto the floor and at the same time, reverently sip a Singapore Sling, the national drink. The Singapore Zoo is one of the finest in the world in which the animals can roam freely, their territory being surrounded by a landscaped ditch. Approximately 2800 animals live in the spacious enclosures and even those from the world's coldest regions can be observed both below and above water, thanks to cleverly designed ...

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Orignal From: SINGAPORE