After 2 months of mainly exploring nature in New Zealand, we changed things up with a week-long stop in Singapore. This sovereign city-state in Southeast Asia boasts a population of 5.7 million all packed onto an island just about 280 square miles in size, making it the third-most densely populated country in the world. Needless to say, this was a much different experience than traveling through a country where sheep outnumber people 5-to-1!
Despite its small size and lack of natural resources, in the last 60 years Singapore has transformed from one of the poorest countries on earth into one of the world’s most prosperous economies today. Singapore accomplished this feat by taking advantage of a strategic location (on the Strait of Malacca, through which up to 40% of global trade volume passes annually), leaning into globalization, and heavily reinvesting in human capital (among so many other things – this video is a much better and longer summary of the history if you’re interested).
One of the most obvious and visible signs of Singapore’s prosperity is the city-state’s architecture. Buildings are a mix of old and new, with temples and remnants of British colonialism right next to brand new modern skyscrapers. Influences range broadly as well, reflecting the country’s diverse population and historical influences. Many newer high-rise buildings are also focused on sustainability, with green landscapes integrated into the design. Finally, there are several iconic “landmark” structures peppered throughout the city.
We definitely didn’t document all of Singapore’s incredible architecture during our visit (that would take a lifetime), but we took as many pictures as we could – enjoy this gallery of some of our favorites!
