Currency exchange: Foreign currencies, travellers cheques and cheques can be changed at most banks and licensed money changers. ATMs are also in operation.

Credit & debit cards: American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted. Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other facilities which may be available.

Travellers cheques: To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take travellers cheques in Pounds Sterling.

Geography: Singapore is a city and a country in south-eastern Asia, off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula between the South China Sea and the Indian Ocean, and 58 nearby islands. Singapore consists only of one main island and 63 other tiny islands. Most of these islands are uninhabited. It is among the 20 smallest countries in the world, with a total land area of only 682.7 square kilometres. The USA is about 15,000 times bigger. Apart from Monaco, Singapore is the most densely populated country in the world, with 6,430 people per square kilometre. It is a mainly flat country with low hills, the highest being Bukit Timah at 163m (545ft). In the northeast of the island, large areas have been reclaimed, and much of the original jungle and swamp covering the low-lying areas has been cleared.

Climate: Warm and fairly humid summer temperatures throughout the year (approximately 30ºC/86ºF during the day and 23ºC/74ºF in the evening). There is no distinct wet/dry season. Most rain falls during the northeast monsoon (November to January) and showers are usually sudden and heavy.

Recommended clothing:Lightweight cottons and linens.

Public Holidays: Jan 1 2005 New Year’s Day. Jan 23 Hari Raya Haji (Feast of the Sacrifice). Feb 9-10 Chinese New Year. Mar 25 Good Friday. May 2 Labour Day. May 23 Vesak (Birth of Buddha). Aug 9 National Day. Nov 1 Diwali. Nov 3-5 Hari Raya Puasa (End of Ramadan). Dec 25 Christmas Day.

Note: 1. Not all Muslim festivals listed above are national holidays, but all will affect Muslim businesses. Muslim festivals are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the moon and the dates given above are approximations. During the lunar month of Ramadan that precedes Hari Raya Puasa (Eid al-Fitr), Muslims fast during the day and feast at night and normal business patterns may be interrupted. Many restaurants are closed during the day and there may be restrictions on smoking and drinking. Some disruption may continue into Hari Raya Puasa itself. Hari Raya Puasa and Hari Raya Haji (Eid al-Adha) may last anything from 2 to 10 days, depending on the town. 2. Hindu festivals are declared according to local astronomical observations and it is only possible to forecast the month of their occurrence.

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