ABOUT SINGAPORE
Singapore is located approximately 137 kilometres north of the equator. It comprises the main island of Singapore and some 63 offshore islands. Singapore is eight hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time.

THE PEOPLE AND FESTIVALS
There are close to four million Singaporeans of Chinese, Malay, Indian and Eurasian ethnicity. The main religions practised are Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, Christianity and Hinduism. The four official languages in Singapore are Bahasa Malayu, Chinese (Mandarin), Tamil and English. The national language is Bahasa Malayu, while English is widely used as the language of administration. The different ethnic groups in Singapore coexist peacefully and they enjoy religious harmony.

Singapore offers all the technological excellence of the West. It is less expensive to study in Singapore than in most other major cities of the West. Strategically located, Singapore is poised to grow tremendously in the new millennium.

Students who are part of this dynamic growth process would have opportunities in the various Financial, Information Technology and Manufacturing sectors.

With political stability and a conducive study environment, Singapore is an ideal place to gain an internationally recognised educational qualification.

WEATHER
Singapore's climate is warm and humid, with only slight variations between the average maximum of 31 degrees Celcius and minimum of 23 degrees Celcius. This makes it ideal for those who enjoy sunbathing, swimming, sailing and other water sports. But for those who do not enjoy the tropical climate, Singapore is sheltered from the worst effects of the sun with air-conditioning in almost all of its shops, hotels, office buildings and restaurants.

Rain falls throughout the year, with more consistent rain coming during the monsoon season from November to January. Showers are usually sudden and heavy, but also brief and refreshing.

GETTING AROUND SINGAPORE

MRT
The Singapore Mass Rapid Transit (SMRT) is a modern, air-conditioned passenger train service with stations all over the city. There are two main lines - one from Marina Bay to Jurong East via Woodlands and the other from Changi Airport to Boon Lay. You can obtain a copy of A Quick Guide to MRT Travel from the Station Control Rooms in all MRT stations. For more information on both the MRT and bus services, you can refer to the TransitLink Guide, which is available at SGD 1.50 in most MRT stations and bus interchanges as well as at major bookstores.

From the city centre, the MRT ride to the Changi Airport station is only 27 minutes. The train service from the Changi Airport station operates at an average frequency of 12 minutes and its service hours are as follows:

The fare for a single trip from Changi Airport station to City Hall station is SGD 1.40. For the convenience of travellers, trains serving the Changi Airport station provide luggage racks and free space in every carriage.

The Rail Travel Information System (RATIS) disseminates real-time information on train arrival times and destinations. The information is displayed on plasma screens in the platform area and on LED panels found on the concourse. Do read the train destinations from the RATIS or listen to in-train announcements to ensure that you are travelling on the right train to your destination.

If you are on board a train going towards Pasir Ris station, you will need to alight at Tanah Merah interchange station and board the train going towards Changi Airport station.

Frequency
Trains operate at intervals of between two and a half minutes and eight minutes from 5:30am until 12:30am daily. Check at respective MRT stations for precise train arrival/departure timings.

Fares
Travelling on the MRT is cheap, with rides ranging from SGD 0.80 to a maximum of SGD 1.70. Instead of using cash, you may choose to pay your MRT and bus fares with a stored value Ez-link Card. The Card can be bought or revalued from any TransitLink Ticket Sales Office located in most MRT stations and bus interchanges. Each adult Card is sold with a minimum value of SGD 10 plus a deposit fee of SGD 5.

BUS
You can easily get from one point to another by bus with an ez-link Card, which can also be used on the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT). SBS bus 36 runs between Orchard Road and Changi Airport. The public bus stations are located in Terminal 1 at Basement 2, and in Terminal 2 at Basement Level. Details of bus routes and fares are displayed at bus stations.

Operating hours:
From 6am to 12 midnight. Check at respective bus interchanges or bus stops for precise bus arrival/departure timings.

SIA HOP-ON
Hop onto this tourist bus service and explore the shopping, cultural and entertainment areas within the city. The SIA Hop-on covers Orchard Road, Bugis Junction, Suntec City, the Civic District, Boat Quay, Chinatown, Little India and the Singapore Botanic Gardens.

Fares
Singapore Stopover Holiday (SSH) passengers (Please present SSH Identification Card for boarding): Free of charge

Singapore Airlines or SilkAir passengers (Please present air ticket or boarding pass when purchasing day pass): SGD 3 for adults and children.
Other visitors: SGD 6 for adults and SGD 4 for children.
Tickets can be purchased from most hotels, SIA ticket offices in the city and from the bus drivers directly.
Operating hours: Daily, from 9am to 6pm at 30-minute intervals.

TAXIS
Over 15,000 air-conditioned cabs provide comfortable, hassle-free travel at a very reasonable cost. They can be flagged down 24 hours a day on most roads, with well-marked taxi-stands available outside most major shopping centres and hotels. At Changi Airport, the taxi stand is located just outside the Arrival Hall on Level 1 in Terminal 1, and located at the end of the Arrival Hall on Level 1 in Terminal 2 (South Wing)

Surcharges
Some surcharges not shown on the meter include:
Between 12am and 6am: 50% of fare
Each time a taxi is hired at Changi or Seletar Airport: SGD 3. A surcharge of SGD 5 is payable on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays for trips from 5pm to 12 midnight.
Each time a taxi is hired at Singapore Expo: SGD 2

Geography
Located at one of the crossroad of the world, Singapore's strategic position has helped it to grow into a major centre for finance, communications and tourism. It is just one degree north of the equator, it is linked to Malaysia by two causeway bridges while the key islands of the Riau Archipelago of Indonesia are just a quick ferry trip away. Thailand and the Philippines are a short plane journey away and Singapore, with an airport served by more than 69 airlines, is very much the gateway to South-East Asia.