SINGAPORE

Capital:
Singapore

Time:
Local time - GMT + 7 hours

Holidays and Day offs:
May 1 - the birthday of the third prince Lotos, a child - God. On this day the mediums and spiritualists come together in Chinese temples of Singapore. Being in the state of full mystic trans, they either pierce themselves with swords on the yellow sheets of paper which cover the ground in temples. The sheets of paper are later used as talismans which protect their owners.

National characteristics:
People are trying hard to combat smocking on the island. Thus when smoking at a public place, mind that you take the risk of being fined. The fine may equal 500 Singapore dollars. On streets you may unexpectedly find yourself as a participant in some carnival or a kind of national holiday with clones, acrobats and dancers. Along these there are very quiet streets as well, where you can enjoy your time sitting in a small cafe.

Geographic sketch:
City-state in the south-east of Asia, consisting of a main island and more then 50 small islands lying to the south of the Malaise peninsula. The island of Singapore is separated from the peninsula by the narrow Djokhar strait. The total are of Singapore is 640 square/kms.

Climate:
Climate in Singapore is humid-tropical. Even in January the temperature never goes below +30C.
It's most pleasant especially in evenings when Singapore dives into fresh-cold, the temperature goes below +23C.

Population:
The total number of population is about 2 818 000 people. Among ethnic groups are: Chinese-77%, Malays-15%, Indians- 6%.

Language:
The Malayan language. Official languages are Chinese language, Tamilic, and English language as well.

Religion:
Buddhism- 75%, Christianity- 19%, Faoizm- 13%.

Currency:
A Singapore dollar equals 100 cent. 1, 2, 4, 10, 20, 50, 1000 and 10000 banknotes of Singapore dollar can be found in circulation. Coins- 1,5,10,20,50, cent and one dollar.

Currency Exchange:
Banks are open from 10.00 a.m. to 15.00 p.m. and from 9.30 a.m. to 17.30 a.m. on Saturdays. Street Currency Exchange points have more favorable rates as compared city banks. Credit cards may be used in hotels, shops and restaurants.

Transport:
A wonderful bus service covers the whole of the island. Buses start working at 6.30 a.m. till 12.00 p.m. There is underground service as well. It starts working from 6.00 a.m. to 12.00 p.m. It's a quick and cheap means to get any corner of the city. The most comfortable and public transport means is the taxi. Each taxi has a meter and the fee is charged according to it. Tips are upon wish. A sort of local transport "veloryshki" is popular among tourists, though Singapores themselves don't like it. The price of such services should be settled beforehand and it's better to turn to a driver having an official driving license. Renting a car will cost you 100-350 Singapore dollars per day. (The availability of driving license is compulsory).

Custom's rules:
The import of drugs, psychotropic chemicals, detonators, cigarette lighters disguised weapons, toy-coins, cash, pornographic literature, video tapes, meat and meat products is prohibited. The export of guns, explosives, animal poison, drugs, gems and jewelry (exceeding the quantity of personal needs) requires permission. The authorities apply airdrome tax fee equivalent to 12 USD for passengers departing on international flights. This fee isn't applied on passengers who don't leave transit areas and on children under age of two. Certificates of injections are not required. Free baggage equals 20 kg. For each exceeding kg you have pay at customs supervision points.

Communication:
There is a perfect telephone connection in Singapore. You'd better use pay-phones which are considerably cheaper. To call home you are only to dial your country code and the end-number.

Shops:
Singapore is a paradise for shop mongers. Here one can purchase cheap but high-quality goods. Foreigners mainly purchase electronics, textile, perfume, cosmetics and orchid. The only problem is with buying large-sized clothes.

National cuisine, Drinks: :
Singapore is a multinational city having a great variety of Chinese, Malay and Indian cuisines. Bars, cafes and restaurants lying anywhere, offer a great variety of Asian dishes, including true works of cooking-art made of fresh and juicy sea-products which cost "nickels". More than 500 high-class restaurants are ready to satisfy any freak of a client. Try a dish from Indian or Chinese cuisine, fresh yourself by an icy juice made of fresh fruits and of course give yourself a treat to exquisite dishes of "high" cuisines at the world-famous restaurants or in the open air on the banks of the river Singapore.

Settlement:
The ranks of hotels are determined by stars (from two to five) but it's not always an enough criteria for comfort evolution as there are no general standards for hotel services in different countries. At a hotel you will be suggested a dish from European national cuisine, very often it's smorgasbord. Strong drinks as a rule are suggested for extra-charge. Times for breakfast, dinner and lunch are settled strictly.

Urgent numbers:
Ambulance and Fire security - 995. Police - 999