Top 15 Things You Didn’t Know About Singapore

This time we’re looking at one of the most luxurious and expensive cities in the world right now. Few countries in the world can match Singapore in terms of its unique origins. Fewer still can match its meteoric rise.

On April 1st, 1946, Singapore became a crown colony. On 27th May 1961, Singapore was separated from the rest of Malaysia. And on the 9th of August 1965, it became a sovereign, democratic, and independent nation. A massive industrialization program was launched with the extension of the Jurong industrial state and the creation of smaller states. The monetary authority about Singapore was established to formulate and implement Singapore’s monetary policies. Soon Singapore was on its way to becoming the economic superpower we all recognize today. Here is the list of 10 things you didn’t know about Singapore.

15: Laws and Penalties

Unlike many countries that are economically successful and prosperous, Singapore retains many rules and regulations that would have many westerners aghast, if they had to live under them. Even the harsh and in the eyes of many excessive penalties for not adhering to them. The reality of this, however, is that these laws and penalties are not anything novel. But hark back to many of the nineteenth-century rules and regulations developed under British rule. Jaywalking is an illegitimate crime in Singapore as well, that is fine and punishable. Most important however is the crime of drug possession. Most drugs upon attaining possession of a certain net gram weight, carry with a mandatory death penalty. These include but are not limited to marijuana, morphine, heroin and just about everything else in excess of the designated crime limit. Which varies from drug to drug.

14: Time Zone

Over the years Singapore’s had difficulty figuring out where it belongs in the global time zone. In fact, since 1905 the city-state has changed its official time zone no fewer than 6 different times. Its most recent switch in 1982, allowed Singapore to sync with its neighbor Malaysia. One can only hope that they stay satisfied with that change. Few people realize just how significant time zone changes can be. Because of the massive impact they can have on the economy. As even small ships in the official time zone can throw international business meetings and contracts into total disarray because of small changes. Which is another reason why it is in Singapore’s best interests to maintain its current time zone of GMT +7?

13: Buying a Car in Singapore

You can’t just buy a car in Singapore. First, you have to win the right to own a card in an auction on the first and third Monday of every month. The Singaporean government auctions off certificates of entitlement, if you get one, you’re allowed to own a car for 10 years. Certificates only category A car can be sold for over $56000 USD. The reasons behind the strict limitations are manifold, but some of the most basic reasons our concerns about traffic and pollution. We must remember that Singapore is a city-state and if it were ever to become too congested with cars and traffic it would surely suffer in the same way that Los Angeles does becoming a foul-smelling feuded pit of smog in waste. To avoid LA’s fate, Singapore has imposed strict measures and kept the city clean and with breathable air.

12: Heat and Humidity

Singapore is situated only 88 miles from the equator. The heat is truly something to be reckoned with. Most people in the west simply have no idea when it comes to heat and humidity, and then upon visiting Singapore, find themselves in a sauna. This is yet another reason why Singapore is a personal interest in keeping up air pollution and has become from the exhaust pipe of cars. In fact, Singapore’s lowest recorded temperature with 66°F (10oC) in January of 1934. So, expect lots of humidity and rain to boot if you visit the place. Fortunately for those who live there, air conditions are given in just about any area where the residential or corporate. So, you’ll probably have air conditioning in your hotel room.

11: City State

There are only three city-states in the world, Monaco, Vatican City and Singapore. There are no other cities in Singapore other than Singapore. Sure, their islands but Singapore city is Singapore the country. Which makes it rather unique in many regards. The interesting thing about city-states such as Singapore is that in terms of country rankings they tend to do quite well in all manners of categories from quality of life, to economic performance and more. But oftentimes this is more a reflection of the small size of the country and consequently the greater ease with which such a small area can be governed. This is to say what works in Singapore might not work in a place such as the United States.

10: Singapore is an Innovative Country

Singapore is one of the most innovative countries in the world according to a Bloomberg report of 2017. Perhaps most important among those countries on the list, the most efficient innovator of the world. Much of the sufficiency, it can be argued is related to the fact about Singapore ruthlessly recruits talent from around the world to be integrated into its economy. In this sense the world is truly Singapore’s oyster as top talent from every corner of the earth will be snatched up and made to contribute to the economic expansion of Singapore. I guess there’s a lot to be said for ruthless pragmatism at the end of the day.

9: The Most Expensive Home Was Listed For $300 Million

The most expensive home in Singapore was listed for $300 Million and expected to sell for just under $250 Million. The 86,000 square foot site on an elevated lot at 33 Nassim Road near the cities of Botanic Gardens. It includes a 2-story home, swimming pool, and tennis court. It is in the heart of everything.

8: Sin Tax in Singapore

Apart from taxing the wealthy, Singapore is taxing excessively everything sin related to alcohol, tobacco, and more with at least 40% more than the rest of the world that’s done wonders for the economy.

7: Driving a Car is Incredibly Expensive

It costs you a lot more to drive a car because the country is so small you can literally drive across it in a few minutes. In order to stop overcrowding the city with cars, the government made it incredibly expensive to drive. To put things in perspective, the costs of buying and owning the cheapest Ferrari? The Ferrari California in London is a little under $250,000 in taxes included. The same car in Singapore will cost at least 4 times that.

6: Same-Sꬴx Marriage is Banned in Singapore

Same-sꬴx marriage is still banned in Singapore. in recent years there have been strong movements against this but at the point of making this list, the law still stands. The punishment for gay sꬴx in Singapore is a 2-year jail term.

5: Rocks the Nightlife

Some of the best nightlife and sky bars are in Singapore. If there’s one thing we know about Singapore, it’s that they love promoting tourism with nightlife. The marina bay sands are considered one of the most popular luxury hotels in the world featuring incredible views and we’re simply in love with the pool there. If you’re in the area we recommend checking out the one altitude which hosts the largest rooftop bar in the world.

4: Singapore Nickname is “Fine City”

Singapore is often referred to as a “Fine City” because of the number of big-dollar fines that one can receive for infractions. For example, you can be fined for not flushing a public toilet or for chewing gum. Don’t believe us, the fine for forgetting to flush a public toilet is $150 but that’s not the only crazy law in place. In 2005 they banned the sale of chewing gum. If you’re a first-time offender caught selling gum, the maximum fine is at $100,000 and up to 2 years in prison. If you’re caught again, it’s up to $200,000 and 5 years in prison. This comes in an effort to make Singapore as clean as possible and the efforts are paying off big time.

3: Tax for Connecting to Someone Else’s Wi-Fi

On top of chewing gum and flushing toilets, here are some other things you might not believe are banned in Singapore. Annoying someone with a musical instrument will be fined $1000. Flying a kite or playing any game that interferes with traffic, you’ll be fined $5000. To the list, we can add $1000 for spitting, $2000 for walking naked around the house and up to 3 months in jail, and $500 for feeding pigeons. $2000 and up to 6 months for Jaywalking and this one is our favorite so far, up to $1,0000 and 6 months in jail for ‘wait for it’s connected to someone else’s Wi-Fi.

2: Singapore is Largest Exporter of Ornamental Fish

Do you own an aquarium that cool fish probably came from Singapore? Despite being largely urbanized, Singapore is the largest exporter of ornamental fish in the world with 25% of the world market, interesting huh.

1: Renting a Beach Suites in Singapore

You’re still here but this is the last one and you get it as a bonus. For $1500 a night you could rent one of the beach suites at the resort world Sentosa and sleep underwater. How cool is it to sleep looking at fish?

The incredible city-state isn’t it? We have reached up to an end of 10 things you didn’t know about Singapore. We are curious. What do you think of the severe laws? Did they overdo it? Or do you think these should be in place everywhere to make our cities better? Let us know in the comments down below and thank you for spending some time with us.