Animals and Plants

From rainforest to urban jungle

Where there is a modern city today, the area was still covered with tropical rainforest a few decades ago. This was completely cut down in order to build a country at this point.

All of the forest areas that are now growing in Singapore were created after the clearing. On the outside of the coastal areas, where some mangrove forests still grow, there are almost no plants from earlier times.

Singapore’s artificial gardens

However, there are many parks and gardens in Singapore. In the Botanical Garden, for example, there are 3000 tropical and subtropical tree and shrub species to discover. Even rain forest was planted here. In the orchid garden of the city tens of thousands of plants grow in hundreds of ways.

There are quite a few such parks in Singapore. The highest point in the city is also in a park. The 164 meter high hill can be “climbed” via a hiking trail.

Which animals live in Singapore?

Some species of snakes still live in the mangrove forests of Singapore, especially the cobra, which can be found all over Southeast Asia. Most of the poisonous animals have retired to these forest areas, but the possibility of a snake getting lost in the residential areas cannot be ruled out.

Some species of monkeys can also be found in Singapore. Migratory birds rest in the marshland on their journey. Many species of birds live in a specially established park, the Jurong Bird Park.

The wild animals that you can still find in Southeast Asia, such as tigers, rhinos or elephants, can only be discovered in Singapore at the zoo. All in all, a bit of nature can also be found in the city-state of Singapore, but most of it is behind fences or is cared for by humans.

The Gardens by the Bay in Singapore

City and country – a clear contrast like black and white? In Singapore, attempts have been made to combine these two opposites and have launched a powerful project: Gardens by the Bay. The name translates as “gardens at the harbor” and initially only describes the location of the million dollar project. These gardens are located on Marina Bay in the middle of Singapore. Over a million different plants sprout here from Singapore’s artificially raised soil.

The large park and the heritage gardens around the large greenhouses can be viewed for free. Here you will mainly find plants that were native to the formerly overgrown Singapore. The next attraction is the Cloud Forest, the “cloud forest”. In addition to a 35 meter high waterfall, this greenhouse houses numerous plants, including very rare species.

In the Flower Dome, a gigantic greenhouse next door, you can discover the flora from South Africa to that of California. The areas are delimited for the different regions.

Economy

Bad cards for the economy?

In 1965 Singapore left the Malaysian Federation and became independent. At the time, it looked bad economically for the country that had no natural resources to show. At that time, the region was a swampy landscape in which many people fell ill with malaria. The standard of living was low, the education poor and many people had no jobs. There were only a few raw materials available. But that should change soon.

At first only rubber was processed, later mineral oil was added. From the 1980s, Singapore specialized in electrical production and electronics. The chemical industry and biomedicine also grew. In Singapore, for example, stem cell research is possible without restrictions. Plus, it’s very easy to start a business in Singapore and you don’t have to fill out extensive applications first. This type of economy is known as free or liberal. Like all economic systems, it has advantages and disadvantages.

Conveniently located and well connected!

A very important advantage for the country’s economy is its location. Because Singapore is very conveniently located at the end of the Strait of Malacca, through which trade to China takes place. Singapore’s large ports, which serve as important transhipment points for goods, make the city-state interesting and important for world trade. Singapore has a very well developed transport network, from four airports via the rail and road network. In addition, there is a good subway network and a very well-functioning bus system.

Switzerland of Asia

Singapore is sometimes called the “Switzerland of Asia”. But why? Are there so many mountains here or do people like to eat cheese with holes? No, because Asians don’t eat cheese at all and there are no real mountains in Singapore. But there are tons of banks, just like in Switzerland, where many banks have their headquarters.

Singapore has done a great deal to boost the country’s economy. The tax rates in the country are very low, which means that people don’t have to give as much of their money to the state as they do with us. It is also said that many people in Singapore carry money into the banks that they have not paid tax in their own country. This is a criminal thing that carries penalties. But first of all, the tax evaders have to be caught, by the police or the tax investigators, and that is not that easy.

The dark side of the successful economy

According to countryvv, Singapore is an economically very well developed country, but sometimes little consideration has been given to the people. Industry has expanded and people are being exploited in the factories. It is primarily foreign workers who come to the country. That is why the country is also interesting for foreign companies. They build factories here, produce goods and can make them very cheap because of the cheap labor. That is why they reap huge profits. This is of course good for companies, but bad for the people who offer their labor.

Many people in business rave about Singapore because everything is so stable and clear here. An opposition to the government, there is not official. For more than 60 years, one party has been in power: the People’s Action Party. There is the death penalty, people are not allowed to strike and the media is censored. The fertility rates are low. But now wages are falling. These are developments that also arouse criticism of the government among the population. With the spread of the Internet, grievances are being denounced there.

Is there also agriculture?

There is almost no agriculture in Singapore because there is very little land that can be used for this. In Singapore, however, orchids and aquarium fish are bred for export.