Singapore is an oddity in the modern world. It is a small city-state. This country relies on the export of consumer electronics and information technology to remain a booming economy. Towering skyscrapers and busy malls co-exist with natural reserves. For many people, Singapore is an excellent first introduction to the culture of Asia. The currency of the country is the dollar. In the system, 100 cents equal 1 dollar. It trades under the initials SGD.
History
Singapore’s introduction to a consistent currency came in 1819 with the creation of a British trading settlement. By 1824, the Calcutta mint was producing 1/3 cent for the settlement. The British East India Company introduced the first official coinage for Singapore in 1845, including it as a member of the Straits Settlements. Singapore remained part of this conglomerate until 1946.
From 1836 onwards, Singapore was the
administrative center for the Settlements. While the official coins
made the rounds, so, too, did other types of currency. There was small
change from the British colonies in Sumatra. There were also token in
1831 issued by merchants to reach all parts of the Malaysia and
Indonesia. Some had the cockerel and the Mala inscription. Tokens
remained an active part of the currency of Singapore until 1850.
Singapore remained a British crown colony into the 20th century. Its
currency fluctuated more up than down as trade boomed in rubber and
tin. This changed during WWII. Japan invaded and took over the city.
Under the Japanese, the currency was yen not dollars and cents. Yet
money was the least of their worries at the time.
When the war ended, the rule of Singapore fell once again into British hands. The currency eventually returned to the “norm.” Singapore adjusted and began to step towards independence. Finally, in 1965, Singapore became an independent country. The currency system remained unchanged in its alliance. In 1967, the mint produced the first coinage for the Republic of Singapore. It consisted of dollars and cents. The banknotes featured the “orchid series.” The new coins had depictions of local wildlife and the dollar depicted the lion emblem of Singapore. The currency has continued with variations and new designs. Today, coins come in (1), 5, 10, 20 and 50-cents, and 1-dollar. Banknotes are in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, 1,000, 10,000 dollars.
Obtaining Singapore Dollars
You can exchange your own currency for local cash at the foreign exchange bureaus. You can locate them at the airport, hotels, and some shopping centers. Atms orAMbs are everywhere. No need to worry about where to find them. In Singapore, malls and ATMs are co-joined twins.
Protecting Your Currency
Crime is not a problem in Singapore. There are the usual petty crime, such as pickpocketing and purse snatching. These frequently occur at the airport, in hotels, and other tourist areas. Take the usual precautions.
Using Your Singapore Dollars
The local currency dollar is necessary if you are going to wander the streets of Singapore with its over 250 malls. You always need it for purchasing small items. These include such things as meals from the hawker centers, food courts or bars. You can also use it to buy items from the many street vendors. You may also want to employ it when you venture along the great shopping mall called Singapore. Here, you can buy everything from modern electronics to ancient silk. While Singapore may be short on traditional handicrafts, it is great for obtaining any type of electronic component or equipment as well as designer clothing.
Travel Tips and Warnings
- Weather can be a factor in the timing of any visit.
- Be sure you understand the laws in Singapore. Some vary greatly from those in your own country. These include those regarding the importation and use of chewing gum. You cannot chew gum on the Mass Rapid Transit. It is illegal. You also cannot eat or drink in the transit system
- Other laws in Singapore make jaywalking, littering, spitting and smoking in public places illegal.
- Head for Chinatown or Little India. Here, you can see flashes of the city’s past in ornate temples and Hokkien architecture.
- Explore the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve with its rainforest.
- Visit the Singapore Zoological Gardens with more than 2,000 animals behind moats, not in cages.
- If you want, go to the theme-park island of Sentosa.
- Shop along Orchid Road or, sample food at any of the Hawker Centers.
Overview
Singapore
is a city-state in South East Asia. It has a thriving economy based on
technology and electronics. It also has a lively tourist base.
For factual information and data, go to www.visitsingapore.com. For travel information, see www.singapore.angloinfo.com.
Currency Summary
Current currency: dollars
100 cents equal 1 dollar
Coins: (1), 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents; 1-dollar
Banknotes: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, 1,000, 10,000 dollars