GEOGRAPHY CONNECTIONS This year-long series is presented in collaboration

with the Connecticut Geographic Alliance.

NIE ACTIVITY

Welcome to

SINGAPORE
COUNTRY VIEW
Take LOCATION: Singapore is a tiny country
5 tip ofatMalaysia.
Laura Krenicki, William J. Johnston Middle School
latitude 1º 14´N and longitude 103º 55´E, at the
Did you know that there is a Coca-Cola machine that dispenses
sodas if someone hugs the machine? It’s true! Located at the
National University of Singapore, the Coca-Cola machine PLACE: The main island of Singapore is surrounded
says HUG ME right across the front! Singapore is a small by 63 smaller islands, and most of the local people come
island country of only 268 square miles, made up of one larger from Malaysia, China, and India.
island about 50 smaller ones. Located at the tip of Malaysia
and near Indonesia, the entire country is about 3 ½ times the
HUMAN-ENVIRONMENT INTERACTION:
Singapore’s deep ports allow for trading and shipping in
size of Washington D.C.
this busy coastal country, making it one of the best places
in the world to conduct business.
Singapore is a cultural blend of people from Southeast Asia,
Singapore
so a visit to Singapore would not be complete without seeing MOVEMENT:Since there is strong trade and business,
the cultural areas of Chinatown, Little India and Kampong Singapore draws people from all cultures, most especially
Gelam. Located nearly on the equator, Singapore is warm and humid all year and the air is often thick with the mist of from Asia, and all around the world. In fact, over 40% of
the afternoon rain and the scent of flowers. Singapore is a hub of international business, and since so many people the population are foreigners, making for a globalized
speak English, Chinese, Malay and Tamil, it is also a great location for tourists. country. The many cultural festivals in Singapore reflect
the diversity of the people.
Although Singapore is a republic with an REGION: At the tip of the Malay Peninsula where the
elected president, there are many restrictions South China Sea and Indian Ocean meet..
on freedoms in the country. For example, the
news is censored in the country, and there
are bans on satellite dishes on homes, so the
government can control what tv shows and
media content that is available. Residents
don’t have the same freedom to assemble, like we do in America,
so if groups of five or more wish to meet, they must have a permit. Using the News
Singapore is known for strict rules and laws. Currently the most
Nations around the world are working toward the United Nations
common one is that chewing gum is banned.
Sustainable Development Goals (also called the Global Goals)
which they hope to achieve by the year 2030. Singapore is a
Visitors enjoy visiting the Singapore Zoo, the Night Safari, and the
Singapore Flyer, the world’s largest observation wheel. Nearby, Singapore Flyer world leader in the health-related Global Goals, primarily ones
the Jurong Bird Park has exotic birds and penguins, and it was that affect the health of babies, vaccinations, and universal
conveniently next to the Crocodile Paradise Park! health care coverage. Singapore’s advances in Global Goal #3
Good Health & Well Being even scored higher than countries

DID YOU KNOW?

such as Sweden & Iceland who already have universal health
care for residents. Use the Hartford Courant to find out how well
the USA is doing in Global Goal #3.
The name Singapore is derived from the word
One of the smallest breeds of
“Singapura” or “Lion City,” as legend has it a
cat, the Singapura, comes from Global Goal #3
Sumatran prince sighted a beast that looked like a Good Health & Well Being
this small country.
lion, but probably a tiger, when he first set foot on
the island in the 14th century?

The Singapore national MAPPING

flower is the Vanda Miss
Joaquim orchid, and the
ACTIVITY
National Orchid Garden Singapore is one of the busiest
contains about 20,000 ports in the world, primarily due to
orchids? its location in major Asian trade routes.
Crude oil, natural gas, and coal pass
through the South China Sea, and
Singapore is a key port for energy.
The Merlion is the national symbol of Singapore. This
Using the map, find the other port cities
mythical creature has the head of a lion and the body
in Asia that trade through Singapore.
of a fish, symbolizing a ‘marine lion.’ ( https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=10671 )
Online Resources:
World Book Online: http://www.worldbookonline.com/student/article?id=ar511620&st=singapore#tab=homepage Common Core Curricular Connections
National Geographic: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/destinations/asia/singapore/
For students who are blind, learning disabled or print challenged, visit CRIS Radio at CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI4.4 CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI5.7
Explore Singapore: http://www.sg http://www.chrisradio.org and click Kids On-Demand for a free audio version of
For students who are blind, learning disabled or print CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI4.7 CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI5.9
Visit Singapore: http://www.visitsingapore.com/
challenged, visit CRIS Radio at http://www.chrisradio.org CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI4.9 CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH6—8.4
Singapore National Parks: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/cms/
and click Kids On-Demand CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI5.4 CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH6—8.
Jurong Bird Park http://www.birdpark.com.sg/
for a free audio version of Geography Connections.
Focus Singapore: www.focussingapore.com CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH6—8.10