Sights Overview

The main island of Singapore is shaped like a flattened diamond, 42 km (26 mi) east to west and 23 km (14 mi) north to south. Near the northern peak is the causeway leading to peninsular Malaysia -- Kuala Lumpur is less than four hours away by car. At the southern foot is Singapore city, with its gleaming office towers and working docks. Offshore are Sentosa and some 60 smaller islands -- most of them uninhabited -- that serve as bases for oil refining or as playgrounds or beach escapes from the city. To the east is Changi International Airport, connected to the city by a parkway lined for miles with amusement centers of one sort or another. Of the island's total land area, more than half is built up, with the balance made up of parkland, farmland, plantations, swamp areas, and forest. Well-paved roads connect all parts of the island, and Singapore city has an excellent public transportation system.

The heart of Singapore's history and its modern wealth are in Colonial Singapore. The area stretches from the skyscrapers in the financial district to the 19th-century Raffles Hotel and from the supermodern convention centers of Marina Square to the Singapore History Museum and Ft. Canning. Although most of old Singapore has been knocked down to make way for the modern city, in Colonial Singapore most major landmarks have been preserved, including early-19th-century buildings designed by Irish architect George Coleman.