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A city's skyline is its signature, inscribed on the horizon. Singapore's is a bold, appealing one, recognised by millions around the world.

When Sir Stamford Raffles established the first Botanic Gardens in 1822, its main purpose was to evaluate for cultivation, crops that were of potential economic importance, including those yielding fruits, vegetables, spices and other raw materials. However, without a full-time salaried director and sufficient funding, the garden languished and was closed in 1829. It was not until 30 years later, in 1859, that the present Singapore Botanic Gardens was founded by the Agri-Horticultural Society. Since then, the Gardens went through numerous changes with the opening of the National Orchid Garden, a major tourist attraction today, as well as recent added features like the Visitor Centre, Ginger Garden, Evolution Garden, Children's Garden and the Botany Centre. Today, the Gardens is geared towards entrenching itself as a tropical botanical institution of international renown, a key tourist destination and a flagship park. Significant new attractions are being planned in a continuing renewal programme.

Singapore, having one of the highest population densities in the world, is well known as a Garden City. In the midst of our population, over 2000 recorded native plant species can be found, and there are about two million trees planted along roadsides, in parks and protected nature areas.

Angiopteris evecta, commonly known as Elephant Fern, is a large fern with a massive mound of a stem. Fronds are large, bipinnate compound and up to 6 metres long. The base of the frond stalk is swollen and has a pair of fleshy, rounded auricles. This fern is widely distributed in the Old World tropics from Madagascar and tropical Asia, throughout South-east Asia to Australia and Polynesia. In Singapore it can be found at Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, Labrador Nature Reserve, Bukit Batok Nature Park and Singapore Botanic Gardens.

The Wayang Stage on Pulau Ubin is located across the "Tua Pek Gong Temple" near the heart of the island's village. The stage was originally a simple wooden structure with an attap roof but it was rebuilt in 1939 and again in 1977 to its present form. Wayang performances have been staged on Pulau Ubin before 1936 and continue to be performed on three occasions throughout the year. These occasions include the birthday of Tua Pek Gong during the 4th month of the lunar calendar, the Hungry Ghost Festival and Vesak Day. In addition to wayang performances, the stage was used as a temporary classroom for students from the "Bin Kiang School" during the 1960s as well as election rallies.

Attack of the Swordfish

The development of tourism in the last 50 years mirrors the remarkable trajectory that Singapore has taken in these decades. The country has blossomed into a modern cosmopolitan destination with strong local character, one of the truly global hubs in Asia. In the process of doing so, we inspire our guests in both their personal and professional lives and strengthen the pride of residents who call Singapore home.

Singapore is home to more than 2,000 species of native and endemic plants. Despite losing more than 95% of our forests after colonisation, and rapid urbanisation and development since independence in the 1960s, our biodiversity remains resilient. In the last decade or so, over 500 species of plants and animals have been discovered and some thought to be extinct in Singapore were rediscovered by researchers. These species remain vulnerable to the impact of development and climate change. Thus, as part of efforts to transform Singapore into a City in Nature, the National Parks Board (NParks) has been expanding, restoring, and enhancing our natural capital. Singapore’s Nature Conservation Master Plan is a key component of these efforts, and one of its thrusts involve conservation of native species through habitat enhancement and species recovery.

The Purple Parade is Singapore’s largest ground-up movement to raise awareness, foster inclusion and celebrate the abilities of persons with disabilities.

Explore Tales from Our Shores stamp exhibition featuring Kusu Island, Sisters’ Islands legends, special cachets and philatelic collections.

Help students explore history, geography, and heritage through Singapore stamps. Request your free Young Philatelists School Programme set.