Where is Singapore - the "city of the temple and the lion"

The fact that this city-state is a highly economically developed country is largely due to the place where Singapore is located. It is located in Southeast Asia on islands separated by a strait from the southern tip of the Malacca Peninsula, at the point of intersection of Asian sea lanes, through which thousands of ships every month travel to India, the Middle East and Europe. Singapore is densely populated: almost five million people live in a relatively small area of 63 islands, the total area of which is only 714.3 square kilometers. Km. For the islands off the southern coast of Asia, where Singapore is located, the equatorial climate with a constant air temperature (mean annual temperature +27.6 degrees) and a large amount of precipitation is characteristic.

As befits a country with the status of "city-state", the capital of Singapore is the only city on the islands, one of the legends named Prince Sang Nila Utama in honor of the friendly lion that met him in the jungle. "Singa" and "pura" are Sanskrit words translated as "lion" and "city". According to another legend, the first settlement here was founded by the prince from Sumatra. He was so impressed by the monster that lived in these places, which had a head of a lion and a fish tail, that he ordered in honor of a creature named Merlion to erect a temple. The inhabitants of the island respect traditions, that is why they call their capital "the city of the lion and the temple". Merlion, personifying the unity of strength and fearlessness of the lion and close connection with the sea of fish, became the symbol of Singapore. In 1972, a statue of a mythical creature , 8 meters high, 60 centimeters high, which was one of the main attractions of Singapore , was set up from concrete .

The relatively small area where Singapore is located attracts millions of visitors from all over the world. Tourists hurry to explore the many sights of the historic city center: imposing colonial buildings, churches, cathedrals, museums, statues, the famous Orchard Road, a street of skyscrapers, where high-class hotels, concert halls, shopping centers, nightclubs, bars and restaurants are concentrated. Here is the oldest park in the country - the Botanical Garden with a fabulously beautiful park of orchids.

On the island where Singapore is located, there live representatives of different peoples, that's why the ethnic quarters ("Little India", "Arab Street", Chinatown), are especially interested in tourists, filled with all kinds of miracles. A well-known part of the tourist image of the city are numerous parks with a huge number of cultural and entertainment, sports and other facilities. Travelers do not deprive the attention and the area of Jurong with its sights and ultramodern port, without which it is impossible to imagine Singapore.

Rest on Sentosa Island is an entire industry, represented by a huge number of parks, attractions and other entertainment for children and adults. Many guests of Singapore, tired of the impressions presented by the capital and Sentosa, prefer to spend some time on the island of Ubin. In this oasis of silence, tourists are waiting for the palm-framed deserted beaches and fishing villages with hospitable restaurants, serving seafood dishes.