Certainly, Singapore is a contemporary city that never fails to captivate visitors with its contemporary appearance that resembles something from a science fantasy movie. However, are you aware of the mysteries buried in its past? Here are five fun facts about Singapore that aren’t covered in textbooks, ranging from the history of its name to the total number of islands that make up the nation.
- 64 islands are there.
Don’t believe that you can count the islands in Singapore on your fingers. Singapore is surrounded by numerous small islands, and among them are up to 64 offshore islands: Sentosa, the largest of them all; St. John’s Island; Kusu Island; Pulau Semakau; and Pulau Ubin. Certain offshore islands are off-limits to visitors, whereas others invite them to explore their territory.
- The world’s tallest indoor waterfall is located at Jewel Changi Airport.
Although the first artificial 30-meter waterfall in Singapore was constructed in 1971 at Jurong Bird Park, the highest waterfall to date is located in the cutting-edge Changi Airport terminal. The HSBC Rain Vortex, which is 40 metres tall and encircled by the terminal’s beautiful indoor gardens, is a breathtaking sight to behold, especially while the hourly light and sound display is taking place from 7.30 p.m. to midnight. While you take in the major star post-circuit breaker of the Jewel Changi Airport, there are also lots of other things to do, see, and eat.
- Greater Tiger City compared to Lion City
That much is said about being dubbed “Singapura,” which is merely the Sanskrit word for “lion city.” After getting stuck on the island, Sang Nila Utama, the prince of Srivijaya, came into contact with a large cat that he mistook for a lion. Since Malayan tigers predominated on the island at the time, no lion could have been discovered unless the lion was among his crew.
- Six time zone changes occurred.
Even though we don’t have all four seasons, the West used to regularly move the clocks for daylight savings time. For the period between 1905 and 1932, Singapore was seven hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time). Then, it advanced from 1933 to 1941 by 20 minutes, then from 1941 to 1942 by an additional 10 minutes. Our clocks were advanced by an hour and thirty minutes to coincide with Japan’s time zone during the Japanese occupation during World War II. Our clocks went backward after the war, and in 1982 they eventually synchronised with Malaysia’s (which, in our opinion, makes more sense).
- At Fort Canning, there were the first Botanic Gardens.
At Fort Canning Hill, the Garden of All Things Flora first opened its doors in 1822, but it closed seven years later. What luck! In 1836, it was once again open to the public, but it was abandoned by 1846. In the end, the beloved and well-known Singapore Botanic Gardens were established in 1859 at their current location in Bukit Timah. It has also been recognised as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Summary
Singapore, a modern city, boasts hidden historical gems and fascinating trivia. It encompasses 64 islands, including Sentosa and Pulau Ubin. The world’s tallest indoor waterfall, the HSBC Rain Vortex, graces Jewel Changi Airport, offering a mesmerizing spectacle. In Sanskrit, “Singapura” means “lion city,” despite the fact that Malayan tigers once called the island home. Singapore has undergone six time zone changes in the past, reflecting its history. The first Botanic Gardens were at Fort Canning, later relocating to Bukit Timah and gaining UNESCO recognition. Explore the lesser-known side of Singapore’s rich history.
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