Singapore
Singapore
- Capital
- Singapore
- Population
- 5,685,807
- Region
- Asia
- Languages
- English, Malay, Tamil, Chinese
Despite being an intensely urbanized city-state, Singapore is home to a unique law that protects the 'Bukit Timah Monkey' and other wildlife by strictly forbidding the feeding of animals in public spaces. The city also hosts the world's first nocturnal zoo, known as the Night Safari, where specialized lighting mimics the moonlight to observe animals in their natural active states. Additionally, the island has pioneered 'supertrees,' which are massive vertical gardens that harvest solar energy and collect rainwater to sustain a diverse range of exotic plants.
Currency
The currency of the nation is the Singapore Dollar, denoted by the ISO code SGD. An interesting historical feature is the Currency Interchangeability Agreement established in 1967, which still allows the Singapore Dollar and the Brunei Dollar to be exchanged at par and used interchangeably in both countries.
Flag symbolism
The red horizontal band represents universal brotherhood and the equality of man, while the white band signifies pervading and everlasting purity and virtue. The young crescent moon represents a rising young nation on the ascent toward its ideals of peace and progress. The five stars arranged in a circle represent the country's core values of democracy, peace, progress, justice, and equality.
Emblem history
The national coat of arms was adopted in 1959 to mark the island's self-governance and features a lion and a tiger supporting a shield. The lion represents Singapore itself, often called the Lion City, while the tiger symbolizes the historical and cultural ties to Malaysia. Below the shield, a blue ribbon carries the Malay motto 'Majulah Singapura,' which translates to 'Onward Singapore' and serves as a call for national unity.