Chinese, Traditional Medicine & Herbal Science

SINGAPORE, known as “The Lion City,” becomes a favorite destination because it is a global city and is a densely populated island with tropical flora, parks and gardens. Singapore is a global commerce, finance and transport hub.

Singapore, officially the Republic of Singapore, is a sovereign city-state and island country in Southeast Asia. It lies off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula and is 137 kilometers (85 mi) north of the equator. The country's territory consists of the lozenge-shaped main island, commonly referred to as Singapore Island in English and Pulau Ujong in Malay, and more than 60 significantly smaller islets. Singapore is separated from Peninsular Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to the north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the Singapore Strait to the south. The country is highly urbanized, and little of the original vegetation remains. The country's territory has consistently expanded through land reclamation.

The traditional city proper stretches north and east of the port area and is characterized by low (140–150-foot [40–50-metre]) hills. Within the city run the Singapore and Rochor rivers, which are tidal inlets crowded with native craft. The original settlement north of the Singapore River remains the heart of the city; it is the locale of the principal commercial, government, and public buildings and the Anglican St. Andrew’s Cathedral (1862).

Singapore’s port area, one of the world’s largest, covers 36 square miles (93 square km). The Port of Singapore Authority operates six gateways Jurong port, Container Terminal, Keppel, Telok Ayer, Sembawang, and Pasir Panjang wharves  that provide facilities for vessels ranging from oceangoing liners to lighters. The Keppel wharves, which lie protected between the islands of Brani and Sentosa, are deep water and contain major docks and warehouses. Keppel is Southeast Asia’s major transshipment point for exports of oil, rubber, plywood, lumber, and spices.