FACTS AND FIGURES

December 3: Birth of Nation

Singapore celebrates 50 years as a self-governing nation on December 3, 2009. To mark the occasion, the National Heritage Board is looking for Singaporeans born on that date between 1959 and 1989 for a special photography showcase, which will be launched on the 3rd of December at Singapore's historic City Hall. It will feature the stories and thoughts of Singaporeans born on the 3rd of December 1959 to 1989. It will also trace the significant milestones in Singapore's evolution over the last 50 years and feature Singapore's National Symbols. The cut-off has been set at 1989 because it feels that anyone born after that year wouldn't have experience of seeing major changes in the nation.

Changi Lands 5 Awards in September 2009

Changi Airport clinched five awards from major international travel publications and websites. Readers of the UK Business Traveller magazine voted Singapore's airport as the best in the world for the 22nd year running. Other awards ranked Changi as the best in terms of duty-free shopping and eating.

Changi's reputation took a hit earlier this year when a global survey of 190 airports pegged it as only the 3rd best, behind Seoul and Hong Kong. September's five awards bring Changi Airport's list of accolades this year to 17. Since its opening in 1981, Changi has won more than 300 airport awards.

Wireless@SG: Virtually Everywhere

A large proportion of Singapore's population is computer-savvy thanks to the government's efforts to transform the city-state into one of the most developed economies in the world. Total household broadband penetration rate in Singapore is 94.3%; 98% own a TV set; 97% own a PC.

Singapore's three wireless providers – SingTel, iCell and Qala – have expanded the reach of the network to include 7,500 locations around the city-state. For comparison, three years ago only 600 places were covered. Today, Wireless@SG coverage includes the Zoo, Jurong Bird Park and even places of worship. The most popular spots where people log on to the Internet are fast-food restaurants, shopping malls, hospitals and libraries.

Singapore Ambitious: From a Trade Port to a New Switzerland

Historically, the Singapore economy was largely based on trade and manufacturing industries. In the 1990s, there was a significant drive towards the IT sector, which grew as a result of the dotcom era. In the early 2000s, R&D activities were encouraged. More recently, the government has been looking at ways to position Singapore as a regional financial hub.

A Generous Lot

Singaporeans' annual donation to charity is S$ 997 (RUR22,000), much higher than the regional average of S$ 568 (RUR12,500).

Batik is Protected under the UNESCO Charter

In October 2009, batik was added to the UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list, which will ensure the ancient art form some degree of protection. Batik is a dying technique to decorate fabrics by a number of subsequent waxings and dye-baths. "Batik" also refers to the cloth that has been dyed using this process.

In the past, batik was worn only at formal events by Indonesians; certain designs were allowed to be worn only by members of the royal family. Batik cloths were presented as gifts or passed down from generation to generation as heirloom. Batik-makers were believed to have sacred powers and the most skilled of them received court patronage. While batik originated in Javanese courts, several other regions in Indonesia, as well as Malaysia and Thailand, also have their own styles of batik.

In Singapore, batik is part of cultural identity: it can be found in various Singapore souvenirs and on the uniform of the female flight crew of Singapore Airlines. This is the reason why batik's floral design is present in the logo of 103rd MERIDIAN EAST. Combining the iconic symbols of two cultures – an Asian batik and a Faberge egg, we aspire to convey the unique nature of our bilingual and bicultural magazine.

Utility Bill

Depending on the types of residential property in Singapore, the utility bill average ranged from S$56 (RUB1,220) to S$687.54 (RUB15,000) in February 2009 to July 2009.

Household Average Consumption for Electricity, Water and Gas in Singapore