How well do you know Singapore?
Test your knowledge by running down this list of quirky facts about the island. These make great conversation topics too, perfect for breaking the ice at your next party.
- The Singapore Flyer rotated in an anti-clockwise direction (as seen from the Marina Centre) when it was first launched in 2008. On the advice of Feng Shui masters, its direction was reversed later the same year and since then it has been rotating in a clockwise direction.
- Singapore has not one but four national languages. English, Mandarin, Tamil and Malay are all accepted as official languages in the country.
- One of the best (or worst) things about the city is the weather. It is a constant, comfortable in the morning and evening, slightly hot in the afternoon with some rain thrown in. No heavy winter coats required here. The lowest minimum temperature ever recorded in Singapore was 19.4°C on 31 January 1934 and surprisingly, the lowest maximum temperature recorded is also in January the same year, namely 21.2°C on 6 January 1934.
- 80-90% of Singaporeans reside in public housing. An unprecedented proportion anywhere in the world.
- Singapore is not just the island that we’re all familiar with. It also constitutes 62 smaller islands scattered around it, including the largest - Sentosa.
- The world’s highest man-made waterfall in an aviary is right here in Singapore at Jurong Bird Park. Standing at 30 meters it is the perfect example of architectural marvel meets natural wonder. Not only that, we also have the world’s tallest indoor waterfall (35 meters) at the Cloud Forest in Gardens by the Bay.
- This is home to the world’s first night zoo. An experience like none other, the night safari allows you to witness the animals when they are in their element.
- The night is always young here. Singapore pioneered the F1 night race concept and hosted it right here in the winding Marina Bay Street Circuit.
- Do not pay heed to anyone who says Singapore is a concrete jungle. It is one of the world’s greenest cities with as much as half of its land area under green cover (approximately 700 sq km).
- The city’s Sanskrit name, Singapura, literally means 'lion city'. It is said to have been christened thus by a Sumatran prince in the 14th century who believed he saw a lion in the jungles while hunting. There are no records of lions ever living in the region and thus, it is said that he possibly mistook a tiger for one. The Merlion is inspired by this tale.
- You can find the National Anthem inscribed in microtext on a S$1000 note. Don’t believe us? Find yourself a note and a magnifying glass and check for yourself.
- Change is good. Infact Singapore has changed its time-zone half a dozen times since 1906, finally settling on the current time zone in 1982.
- The city has a twin sister also called Singapore, in Michigan, USA. Unfortunately, it is now a ghost town buried deep under the shifting sands of Lake Michigan.
- Even the city of skyscrapers has limits. No building in the city can be higher than 280 meters. There are three which are that high, OUB Centre, UOB Plaza and Republic Plaza. There is only one exception to this rule. The government gave permission to Tanjong Pagar Centre in 2016 to build up to 290 meters, making it the tallest building in Singapore.
- It is one of the only three city-states in the world. Monaco and Vatican City round up that list.
Now, didn’t we promise that this will be fun? Go, throw a few of these into the next conversation you have and see eyebrows being raised in awe. You’re welcome.
