Singapore Essential Guide at a Glance | Tel, Hours, Singapore, Opening, Bank

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Singapore Essential Guide at a Glance

Country

Republic of Singapore

Location

Southern tip of the Malaysian peninsula

Geographic Coordinates

1 22 N, 103 48E

Area

697.1 sq km

Land

42 km from west to east; 23km from north to south

Water

10 sq km

Land Boundaries

0km

Coastline

193 km

Elevation

Bukit Timah 166m MSL

Weather

Hot (26 - 32 degree Celsius) and Humidity >75% but don't worry most buildings & transportation are air-conditioned

Raining Season

November-December, best time to travel from June-August. Population 4.3 million in June 2005

Ethnic Groups

4 main races: 76.8% Chinese, 13.9% Malay, 7.9% Indian and 1.4% Others. (Approximate)

Religion

42.5% Buddhist, 14.9% Islam, 14.8% No Religion, 14.6% Christianity, 8.5% Taoism, 4% Hinduism, 0.6% Other Religions. (Approximate)

Visa

People's Republic of China, India, Iraq and Saudi Arabia, holders of Hong Kong Document of Identity and Macau Special Administrative Region (MSAR) Travel Permit. Log on to visitsingapore.com - "Visa and Entry Facilities" for greater detail.

Lost of Passport

Make a police report (call 999) & with a copy of your report proceed to the high commission of your country and call Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA)

Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA)

10 Kallang Road, ICA Building (Next to Lavender MRT) Tel: 6391 6100 ica.gov.sg

Currency

Dollars denominations of $2, $5, $10, $50, $100, $500, $1000 & $10 000
Cents denominations of $1 and 1, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents

Exchange Rate

Sin $1.515/ 1 US$ (Jul 2007)

Credit/Charge Cards

American Express tel: 6880 1111
Diners Club tel: 6416 0800
JCB tel: 6734 0096
MasterCard tel: 1800-110 0113
Visa tel: 1800-448 1250

Banks

Most banks handle traveler's cheques and foreign currencies
American Express Bank tel: 6538 4833
Bank of America tel: 6239 3075
Bank of China tel: 6439 8828
Citibank NA tel: 6225 5225
Development Bank of Singapore (DBS) tel: 1800-111 1111
Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC) tel: 1800-227 8888
Maybank tel: 6550 7154
Overseas Chinese Banking Corporation (OCBC) tel: 1800-438 3333
Standard Chartered Bank tel: 1800-747 7000
United Overseas Bank (UOB) tel: 1800-222 2212

What to Wear

Casual wear for sightseeing and outdoor activities but certain establishments such as clubs and fine-dinning may require a dress code.

Drinking Water

It is safe to drink from the tap

Electricity

220-240V, 50 Hertz

Mobile & Pay Phones

Mobile provider: SingTel, M1 & StarHub
Network: GSM900 and GSM1800
International access codes: 001, 013 & 019 (SingTel)
002, 021 (M1)
008,018 (StarHub)
Phone cards are available to make local ($2-$50 denomination) and international ($10-$50 denomination)call
Local calls are charge at 10cents/3mins on coin-operated public phone.

Tipping

F&B outlets have a 10 per cent service charge on bills, tipping is not necessary.

GST Refund Scheme

Upon departure at Changi Airport, Budget Terminal and Seletar Airport, travellers who have spent a minimum of $100 at shops displaying the Tax Refund and Tax Free Shopping logos can claim for GST (Good and Services Tax) paid on the purchases at the GST Refund Counters.