Singapore City

Singapore City

Singapore City is the capital of the Republic of Singapore. It is located in the south of Singapore Island. Its strategic location in the strait between the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea and its deep-water port have made it a major port in Southeast Asia and one of the world's largest trading centers. The city that was once a separate entity started to dominate the island to such an extent that the Republic of Singapore basically became a city-state. Variously known as the "Lion City" or the "Garden City", the last because of its numerous parks and tree-lined streets, Singapore is also known as "instant Asia", offering tourists a quick glimpse into the cultures brought by immigrants from all parts of Asia. Although the population is predominantly Chinese, there is a significant minority of Malays and Indians. The port area of Singapore, one of the largest in the world, covers 93 square kilometers. The traditional city extends to the north and east of the harbor area and is characterized by low hills. The rivers Singapore and Rochor, which are tidal inlets full of indigenous boats, flow within the city. The heart of the city remains the original settlement north of the Singapore River. Here are the main commercial, government and public buildings, as well as the Anglican Saint Andrew's Cathedral. The modern housing estates have built into some of the city's most traditional cultural enclaves, especially Chinatown. Skyscraper hotels and office blocks mix with British colonial architecture, Chinese shop houses and Malay kampongs, once thatch-roofed villages now tin-roofed.