HISTORY OF SINGAPORE

The written history of Singapore dates back to the third century.

Later, the Kingdom of Singapura rose in importance during the
14th century under the rule of Srivijayan prince Parameswara and
Singapore became an important port, until it was destroyed by
Acehnese raiders in 1613. The modern history of Singapore
began in 1819 when Englishman Sir Stamford Raffles established
a British port on the island. Under British colonial rule, Singapore
grew in importance as a centre for both the India-China trade and
theentrept trade in Southeast Asia, rapidly becoming a major
port city.
During World War II, Singapore was conquered and occupied by
the Japanese Empire from 1942 to 1945. When the war ended,
Singapore reverted to British control, with increasing levels of selfgovernment being granted, culminating in Singapore's
merger with the Federation of Malaya to form Malaysia in 1963.
However, social unrest and disputes between Singapore's
ruling People's Action Party and Malaysia's Alliance Party resulted
in Singapore's separation from Malaysia. Singapore became an
independent republic on 9 August 1965.
Facing severe unemployment and a housing
crisis, Singapore embarked on a modernization programme
beginning in the late 1960s through the 1970s that focused on
establishing a manufacturing industry, developing large public
housing estates and investing heavily on public education. Since
independence, Singapore's economy has grown by an average of
nine percent each year.[clarification needed] By the 1990s, the country
had become one of the world's most prosperous nations, with a
highly developedfree market economy, strong international

trading links, and the highest per capita gross domestic product in
Asia outside of Japan

The magnificent Marina Bay Sands is an integrated resort fronting

Marina Bay that offers a luxury 2,561-room hotel, an art
convention and exhibition center, the Shoppes Mall, an Art &
Science museum, two Sands Theatres, seven celebrity chef
restaurants, two floating pavilions, a nightclub, lounges and a
casino with 500 tables and 1,600 slot machines.
The three hotel towers are connected by a 340 meter-long sky
terrace on the roof that resembles a ship named Sands SkyPark, .
The Skypark is home to restaurants, lush tropical trees and plants
and an observation deck, but its highlight is the longest elevated
swimming pool in the world, a 150-meter (478-ft.) infinity edged
pool, which stands 191 meters from the ground on the 56th floor

of the complex building. But do not get too excited, the pool is for
exclusive use of the luxury hotel guests.

1. Action
Derived from the English language meaning to show off. For
example - he always likes to action in front of the ladies.
2. Boh-chup
Derived from the Hokkien dialect meaning couldn't care less.
3. Chope (reserve)
A handy phrase if you want to reserve seats in a restaurant.
4. Kayu
Derived from the Malay language meaning dumb or stupid.
5. Lah
Youll hear this one a lot as its the most famous of Singaporean
expressions! Its used at the end of sentences for emphasis, for
example very funny, lah!
6. Shiok (fantastic)
Derived from the Malay language, this is a handy one to describe
a tasty dish. For example that prawn mee soup was shiok!
7. Kiasu (afraid to lose out to others or not to lose face)
Derived from the Hokkien dialect, kaisu is something the
Singaporeans endeavour to avoid! For example he sent his
family to line up in different queues for the same item, so kiasu.
8. Terok (troublesome or difficult)
Derived from the Malay language, you might hear this word if
youre being a difficult customer!
9. Ulu (rural)
Derived from the Malay language meaning rural or a deserted
place. For example this place is so ulu, you hardly see a single
soul around even on weekends.
10. Ya ya (boastful or arrogant)
He's so ya ya, lah!