Singapore

It is a place that cherishes its past as it looks to the future the earliest known mention of Singapore was a 3rd-century Chinese account that described Singapore as “Pu-Luo-Chung” (“island at the end of a peninsula”). Little is known about the island’s history at this time but this matter-of-fact description belies Singapore’s colorful past. By the 14th century, Singapore had become part of the mighty Sri Vijayan empire and was known as Temasek (“Sea Town”). This was no less accurate than the 3rd-century name. Located at the natural meeting point of sea routes at the tip of the Malay Peninsula, Singapore had long known visits from a wide variety of sea craft, from Chinese junks, Indian vessels, Arab dhows and Portuguese battleships to Buginese schooners.