Singapore

Facts Capital City: Singapore Area (km²): 692.7 sq. km World co-ordinates: 1 22N, 103 48 E Currency: Singapore dollar (SGD) Exchange rate: £1 = $2.8 (SGD - approx) GDP: $105 billion Population: 4,608,595 (approx.) Languages: Chinese, Malay, English

Travel Information Tipping is not encouraged as most hotels and restaurants in Singapore already levy a 10% service charge on customers' bills. Tipping is not a way of life in Singapore and is prohibited at the airport. Smoking is not permitted in public service vehicles, museums, libraries, lifts, theatres, cinemas, air-conditioned restaurants, hair salons, supermarkets, department stores and government offices. Offenders can be fined. While it is an offence to smoke in air-conditioned eating places, smoking is permitted in air-conditioned pubs, discos, karaoke bars and nightspots. Spitting in public places is an offence.

The following items are not allowed into Singapore Intoxicating liquors and cigarettes marked with the words "SINGAPORE DUTY NOT PAID" on the labels Cigarettes with the prefix "E" printed on the packets Chewing gum Chewing tobacco and imitation tobacco products Cigarette lighters of pistol or revolver shape Controlled drugs and psychotropic substances Endangered species of wildlife and their by-products Firecrackers Obscene articles, publications, video tapes/discs and software Reproduction of copyright publications Seditious and treasonable materials