Singapore may come across a prim and proper city with a reputation for perfection. But the island nation is full of surprises and quirkiness that you probably didn’t know. So here’s some interesting facts about Singapore for you –
1. Singapore is 25 percent bigger in size than it was during independence. How? Reclamation!
2. Singapore’s Bukit Timah Nature Reserve is home to a wider variety of trees than all of North America.
© Steel Wool / Flickr
3. When in Singapore, you better speed up. Singaporeans have the fastest walking speed, says a research by the British Council. On average, Singaporeans walk 18 meters in 10.55 seconds!
4. Thirsty? Want a coke? Get one in exchange for a hug! The ‘Hug Me’ Coca-Cola machine at the National University of Singapore dispenses a bottle of Coke when you wrap your arms around the machine.
© The Coca Cola Company
5. Throw away the gum, guys! It is illegal to import or sell chewing gum in Singapore!
6. The World Toilet Organization was founded in Singapore.
7. Many think that English is Singapore’s national language. And they’re all wrong. Singapore’s national language is Malay.
8. Wondering what is Singapore’s national anthem? You can find the entire anthem in microtext on the back of the S$1,000 note!
9. Don’t forget to flush! You can actually be fined up to S$1,000 for not flushing a public toilet “immediately after using it”!
10. Cats are not allowed as pets in Singapore’s public housing or HDB flats!
11. The world’s highest man-made waterfall is located at the Jurong Bird Park.
12. Want to buy a car in Singapore? You can’t just buy it. You got to win the right to own a car in a government auction where you can get the ‘Certificate of Entitlement’ allowing you to own a car for ten years.
