Singapore translates literally from the Malay Singapura into "Lion City" symbolised by the city/state's most prominent sculpture of a Lion.  Situated at the tip of the Malaysian Peninsula it has the honour of being the smallest country in Southeast Asia. 

It was settled as a trading post in the early 19th century by the British East India Company.  Because of its central location along the "Spice Route" it grew to become one of the most important military and commercial centres of the region.

Today it stands as a glowing example of the vigour of its almost five million population and is not only an important financial centre but a popular stop over for travellers going in almost any direction.

As the administrative language of the country is English with Mandarin and Cantonese widely spoken it presents no problem for most tourists navigating there way around it's many interesting sights and facilities.

With smoking and chewing gum pretty well prohibited everywhere the city streets are almost as gleaming as its commercial edifices.  There are still parts of the city where evidence can be seen of its past such as the many bars and hawker stalls along Keong Siak Road.