[takeaways] • Singapore is both a country and a city-state – one of very few territories in the world with that dual status.
• It operates as a unitary parliamentary republic, having gained full independence in 1965, two years after merging with the Federation of Malaysia in 1963.
• Other city-states include sovereign nations like Vatican City and Monaco, semi-autonomous regions like Hong Kong and Macau, and historic examples like Venice, Athens, and Babylon.
• Littering carries real fines in Singapore, and it's the sale and import of chewing gum that's restricted here, not chewing gum you bring for personal use.
• Hand etiquette (using the right hand for eating and greetings) is rooted in Singapore's Malay and Indian communities rather than one single nationwide rule.
• A SIMOVO eSIM for Singapore means you're connected the moment you land, with no need to hunt for local SIM cards or WiFi. [/takeaways]
If you've spent any time at all browsing the SIMOVO Journal, you'll likely already realize that Singapore is one of our absolute favorite destinations. Yet, its status is something of a point of contention for people who have never visited. Is Singapore a country, or is it a city? What's the history behind the confusion?
The answer is that it's a bit of both! Singapore is a country, but it is also a city-state, and is in fact one of very few territories worldwide to hold that status.
In this guide, we'll take a look at what city-state status actually means for Singapore, and check out what that means on a grander scale. Stick around, and we'll also share some tips and tricks on how to make the most of any adventure in Singapore you have lined up.
Singapore is a city-state and a country
Singapore is an island nation toward the southern end of the Malay Peninsula, and the official name, the Republic of Singapore, actually accounts for the main island and around 60 islets scattered across the region, according to Britannica.
As a city-state, Singapore operates as both a country and a city in its own right, and its government operates a unitary parliamentary republic. It was once part of the Federation of Malaysia, but gained independence back in 1965. It also has links to British colonialism, as it was once regarded as a prominent trading post for the British Empire.
Oddly enough, there was only a brief period during which Singapore was actually part of the Federation of Malaysia. It was released from British rule in 1963, when it merged with Malaysia, but then gained full independence in 1965!
Those days are long gone, however, which means that today, Singapore operates on an independent basis with a prime minister and a president.
City status
The idea behind Singapore being a city-state largely refers to its autonomy and the fact that the region, as a country and a city, are largely seen as one and the same.
Therefore, if you are planning a trip to see the best of Singapore and are confused by the differences in country and city definitions, you're actually looking at one entity, not two.
Many people love Singapore for the fact that its self-contained city status gives it a definite identity. It's one of the most vibrant territories and tourist destinations in the region, and has a fully integrated transport network. It's regarded as a pretty easy place to live in, meaning if you're looking for a laid-back break with minimal confusion, Singapore should be right at the top of your bucket list.
Regardless of when you head here, of course, it's always worth investing in a Singapore eSIM. SIMOVO's eSIMs provide a stack of prepaid data that you can use as soon as you land, meaning you won't have to hunt around for local WiFi spots or SIM cards. The best part is that you won't be running up hefty roaming bills back home!
[esim flag="🇸🇬" label="Singapore" data="10GB · 30 days" price="$9.40" href="/products/singapore" benefits="Instant QR setup · Reliable 4G/5G · No contract"]Get connected before you touch down in one of the world's few city-states[/esim]
Other city-states across the world
As mentioned, Singapore isn't alone in its fascinating city-state status. Here are a few other examples you may already recognize, past and present.
[numbered title="Vatican City" pill="Sovereign city-state"]Universally-recognized city-states you may already recognize include Vatican City, which is an intriguing case as it is technically a country based inside of another country's capital! In this case, Vatican City is based inside of Rome, Italy.[/numbered] [numbered title="Monaco" pill="Sovereign city-state"]Monaco, too, holds sovereign city-state status within the French Riviera. You no doubt recognize it from watching motor racing – it's also famous for being a getaway spot for some of the richest and most famous people on the planet.[/numbered] [numbered title="Macau and Hong Kong" pill="Special Administrative Regions"]Other territories that carry some city-state autonomy, but not sovereign status, include Macau and Hong Kong, both of which are Special Administrative Regions of China.[/numbered] [numbered title="Gibraltar" pill="British Overseas Territory"]Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory which operates as self-governed, carrying a degree of city-state autonomy without full sovereignty.[/numbered] [numbered title="Venice and Florence" pill="Renaissance Italy"]Looking to the past, you can find historical versions of city-states, too – many of which you're probably familiar with. Venice and Florence, now cities in Italy, were actually regarded as city-states during the country's Renaissance.[/numbered] [numbered title="Athens and Sparta" pill="Ancient Greece"]In Ancient Greece, too, the likes of Athens and Sparta had city-state status.[/numbered] [numbered title="Babylon" pill="Ancient Mesopotamia"]Looking back further still, to Ancient Mesopotamia, you had Babylon – it's a phenomenon that really does go back centuries. Singapore, however, remains arguably one of the most prominent modern examples, and its status is just one example of its unique charm.[/numbered]
Top tips for visiting Singapore
Regardless of whether you treat a break to Singapore as a city break or a longer vacation, there are always things you can do to make your trip as enjoyable as possible. Here are a few pointers to keep in mind, from a team of travelers who have been out there and back many times! For a more comprehensive guide, check out our full Singapore travel tips rundown.
[tip title="Time your visit right"]The best time to visit Singapore really depends on what you want to get out of an adventure here. Many guides recommend heading over in April or October for milder weather, more affordable costs, and smaller crowds. That said, you can expect things to be humid and pretty popular all year round! Check out our complete guide on timing a trip to Singapore for more information.[/tip] [tip title="Don't worry about the language barrier"]Lots of different languages are represented in Singapore, meaning there shouldn't be much reason for you to grab a phrase book or to pore over Duolingo. English, believe it or not, is actually the de facto main language here, spoken alongside Mandarin Chinese, Tamil, and Malay. However, some European languages, like French and German, are not widely spoken here.[/tip] [warning]Singapore is famously hard-line on littering, which carries real fines, and it's also strict about chewing gum, so it's worth knowing exactly what that means: it's the sale and import of gum that's restricted here (with exceptions for therapeutic and dental gum sold through pharmacies), not gum you bring for personal use. Either way, always take your trash with you – this applies to tourists just as much as citizens, and it's a big part of why Singapore still looks so pristine after all these years.[/warning] [tip title="Stay alert, as anywhere"]Singapore is generally one of the safest places you can visit in the region, but that doesn't mean you should rest on your laurels. Keep your wits about you and your personal belongings as safe as you can. We also recommend that you try to travel in groups wherever you can, and avoid holding your phone out too much in public.[/tip] [tip title="Mind your hands"]It's worth remembering which hand to use for which actions when visiting Singapore. Within the city-state's Malay and Indian communities especially, the left hand is traditionally considered less clean, so it's polite to use your right hand for eating, shaking hands, and similar actions, even if this custom isn't observed as strictly across Singapore's wider, multicultural population.[/tip] [tip title="Skip the bottled water"]There's no need to worry about water safety in Singapore, meaning you can save money on water in restaurants and when you're out and about by refilling a water bottle. That said, if you prefer your water purified, go right ahead![/tip] [tip title="Queue politely"]If you're not used to queuing, it's time to get accustomed to politely waiting in line! Singapore is extremely polite when it comes to granting people their time and place in line, so skipping ahead or disobeying unspoken social rules here may come across as very rude. Don't take any risks – wait your turn and be polite.[/tip] [faq] [q]Is Singapore a country or a city?[/q] [a]Both – Singapore is a sovereign country that also operates as a city-state, meaning the city and the country are effectively one and the same.[/a] [q]When did Singapore become independent?[/q] [a]Singapore merged with the Federation of Malaysia in 1963, then separated and became a fully independent, sovereign nation on August 9, 1965.[/a] [q]What are some other city-states in the world?[/q] [a]Vatican City and Monaco are sovereign city-states, while Hong Kong, Macau, and Gibraltar carry a degree of city-state autonomy without full sovereignty.[/a] [q]Is chewing gum illegal in Singapore?[/q] [a]Not for personal use – it's the sale and import of gum that are restricted, with exceptions for therapeutic and dental gum sold through pharmacies.[/a] [q]What's the best time to visit Singapore?[/q] [a]Many guides point to April or October for milder weather and smaller crowds, though Singapore's humid, equatorial climate stays warm year-round no matter when you visit.[/a] [/faq] [esim flag="🇸🇬" label="Singapore" data="10GB · 30 days" price="$9.40" href="/products/singapore" benefits="Instant QR setup · Reliable 4G/5G · No contract"]Grab a Singapore eSIM and skip the search for local SIM cards and WiFi[/esim]
