Please write a short background information about the illustration that you have done based on the Singapore's famous icon or landmarks. You may do your research online and compose a 30 to 40 words of information. Please write your name and title of your landmark or icon. Thank you.

The lion became Singapore's national symbol because the country's name, "Singapore," is derived from the Malay words "Singapura," meaning "Lion City". According to legend, Prince Sang Nila Utama named the island after seeing a lion, or a creature believed to be a lion.

What the lion means:

The lion symbolises courage, strength and excellence. It is in solid red against a white background - the colours of the National Flag. The mane has five partings that represent the same five ideals embodied in the five stars of the National Flag, namely democracy, peace, progress, justice and equality. The lion's tenacious mien symbolizes the nation's single-minded resolve to face and overcome any challenges.

What did Sang Nila Utama actually see:

Sang Nila Utama reportedly saw a lion, or a creature believed to be a lion, on the island of Temasek. While the legendary story describes him seeing a lion, it's highly likely he actually encountered a different animal, as lions are not native to Singapore. Experts suggest the creature was more likely a Malayan Tiger or possibly a Malayan Tapir or Samba Deer.

The ArtScience Museum's historybegan in 2006 as a planned part of the Marina Bay Sands integrated resort in Singapore.Designed by architectMoshe Safdie,its lotus-shaped building opened in February 2011, hosting exhibitions that explore the connections between art, science, and technology.The museum focuses on international touring exhibitions, such as "Future World" and those featuring artists likeFrida Kahlo,alongside scientific themes like paleontology and space exploration.

This museum is also known for its iconic lotus-shaped architecture, immersive exhibition, focus on pushing boundaries and sparking curiosity.

The artworks at the museum vary based on the ever-changing exhibitions it hosts. Their permanent exhibition Future World : Where Art Meets Science is definitely worth the watch.

Vanda Miss Joaquim was chosen as Singapore's national flower from among 40 other contenders, including some 30 orchids. For its resilience and year-round blooming quality, it was chosen on 15 April 1981 to represent Singapore’s uniqueness and hybrid culture.

The orchid also symbolises pure friendship which makes a very good and meaningful gift for your best friends.

Among the several varieties of Vanda Miss Joaquim, the variety "Agnes" was chosen in particular for its vibrant colours, hardiness and resilience.

• Origin:

  The hybrid was created by Agnes Joaquim, an Armenian lady residing in Singapore, by crossing two other orchids, Vanda Hookeriana and V. teres. 

• Scientific Name:

  While still widely known as Vanda Miss Joaquim, its correct scientific name is Papilionanthe Miss Joaquim due to recent taxonomic research. 

• Characteristics:

  It is a hardy, free-flowering orchid known for its year-round blooming and vibrant, twisted petals with a distinctive fan-shaped lip. 

• Symbolism:

  Its resilience and vibrant colours are seen as embodying the Singapore spirit and the nation's hybrid culture. 

• Cultural Significance:

  The orchid is a prominent symbol found on Singapore's currency, stamps, and souvenirs, serving as inspiration for art, fashion, and architecture. 

• Hybrid Status:

  Singapore is unique for having a hybrid as its national flower, reflecting its hybrid culture and quest for progress. 

Singapore is a garden city, rich in greenery and biodiversity. It is thus fitting that the nation is represented by a unique national flower of its own, the Vanda Miss Joaquim. Across between Vanda hookeriana and Vanda teres, the orchid is named in memory of Ms Agnes Joaquim, who bred the flower in her garden in Tanjong Pagar in 1893. It was recorded as Singapore’s first orchid hybrid and the world’s first Vanda hybrid. During National Day or other national events, images of Vanda Miss Joaquim can be found on banners, buntings and other decorations.

The Vanda Miss Joaquim represents unity and harmony in Singapore, which can contribute to a peaceful society.

The top three storeys, which form the core of this tower, were first constructed on the ground and then lifted to fit onto the base. This was done so that the 1,300-tonne core structure could be built simultaneously and stacked gradually, at six metres per day.

The iconic Changi Control Tower provides aerodrome control service to landing and departing aircraft at Changi Airport, as well as to aircraft manoeuvring within the tarmac of the airport. However, it is not the only air traffic control facility in Singapore.

Unknown to many, Changi Airport also has a 68m-tall ramp control tower near Terminal 4 that enhances the air traffic controllers’ visual line of sight for visibility of aircraft parking stands and taxiways near the southern ends of Runways 1 and 2. From this tower, air traffic controllers provide clearance to pilots on when they can push back from the gates, and give instructions on which taxiway to use.

Nearby, the Singapore Air Traffic Control Centre (SATCC) provides Approach and Area Control services to aircraft operating in Singapore's Flight Information Region. This means that SATCC is responsible for guiding and overseeing the safe movement of all aircraft entering, departing, or transiting Singapore airspace. The centre was opened in 1981 with the introduction of the Long Range Radar and Display System that allows SATCC to monitor and control air traffic over a larger area, enhancing safety and efficiency of air travel in and around Singapore.

In 1975, Singapore’s founding Prime Minister, the late Lee Kuan Yew made the decision to build a new airport that was to be five times larger than Paya Lebar Airport. 

A competition was held among architects of the Public Works Department, in order to select the best design for Changi Airport’s control tower. It was built at a cost of S$8.4 million, and the structure has since clinched prestigious awards from institutions like the American Concrete Institute in 1985, which lauded the control tower for its creative use of concrete.

Operational facts

• Two independent lines: The Singapore Cable Car Sky Network consists of two distinct lines:

  • Mount Faber Line: Connects the mainland (Mount Faber Peak and HarbourFront) to Sentosa Island.

  • Sentosa Line: An intra-island line that links attractions within Sentosa, such as Siloso Point and Imbiah Lookout.

• Two distinct experiences: Because the lines are not physically connected, travelers experience two different rides and must walk a short distance (3–5 minutes) to transfer between the two lines on Sentosa.

• Wheelchair-friendly: The cable car system is accessible for manual wheelchair and stroller users, with lifts provided at stations.

Features and upgrades

• Specialized cabins: The system has introduced new and updated cabins over the years:

  • Glass-bottomed cabins: First added in 1999, these offer passengers a view directly below their feet.

  • SkyOrb cabins: Introduced in 2024 to celebrate the 50th anniversary, these futuristic, chrome-finished cabins feature spherical shapes and glass floors.

• Collaborative designs: For its 50th anniversary, the cable car operator partnered with The Pokémon Company to redecorate Mount Faber Line cabins with Poké Ball and character themes.

• Lego model: The system was presented with the world's only life-sized Lego cable car cabin. 

The Merlion's fish-like body symbolises Singapore's origins as a fishing village, known as Temasek. The statue's head represents the city's original name of Singapura (lion city in Sanskrit).

The lion's head is a reference to the legend of Singapore's founding in the Malay Annals, when Sang Nila Utama spotted a lion at the mouth of the Singapore River when he first arrived in Singapore.
It is a powerful symbol of Singapore's heritage and a connection to its past. While newer attractions may share the spotlight, the Merlion statues continue to stand tall, reminding visitors of the city-state's rich history and cultural legacy.

Design The main Terminal 1, features a unique design inspired by the traditional Malay architecture, enhancing he aesthetic appeal of the airport.

Changi airport is not just a transit point but a destination itself, offering travelers unique experience with it's blend of modern amenities, cultures element and naturel beauty.

🌸 Singapore's National Flower 🌸
Name: Vanda Miss Joaquim (also called Papilionanthe Miss Joaquim)

Fun facts:

• It’s an orchid flower.

• It was chosen as the national flower in 1981.

• It’s special because it was the first orchid hybrid that was grown in Singapore by a lady named Agnes Joaquim in 1893.

• The flower is purple and pink and has a bright orange centre.

• It was picked because it shows the spirit of Singaporeans – we work hard, stay strong, and never give up!

Why it’s important:
It shows resilience, determination, and beauty — just like how people in Singapore always try their best, even when things are hard.

Key Features

• The museum boasts over 9,000 works, making it the world's largest public collection of Singaporean and regional art from the 19th century to present day.

• The Gallery occupies 64,000 square metres, making it the largest visual arts venue in Singapore and one of the largest in the region.

• These buildings serve as both historical landmarks and architectural highlights, combining restored colonial architecture with modern design elements.

• The museum collaborates with prestigious global institutions like Centre Pompidou, Musée d'Orsay, and Tate Britain to showcase Southeast Asian art on the world stage.

Collections and Galleries

• Two permanent galleries: the Singapore Gallery, which focuses on the nation's cultural and aesthetic identity, and the Southeast Asia Gallery, which presents regional art history.

• The National Collection, nurtured since 1976, spans various mediums, including paintings, sculptures, and contemporary installations by major regional artists.

• Special Research Galleries and changing exhibition spaces support temporary and traveling exhibitions, fostering dynamic artistic dialogue.

Visitor Experience

• Award-winning attraction, with annual visitors nearing two million and complimentary admission for Singaporeans and permanent residents.

• Programming includes docent-led tours, educational workshops, and family-friendly activities to encourage public engagement.

• The site features acclaimed dining options, such as the Michelin three-starred Odette and the National Kitchen by Violet Oon.

• Open daily; visit planning and ticketing information is available through the official site.

Location and Accessibility

• Centrally located in the Civic District, near other cultural attractions and easily accessible from popular city sites.

• The museum’s integration of old and new architectural elements provides unique spatial experiences, blending history and modernity.

Visual Reference

The multi-story atrium of the National Gallery of Singapore, with its glass ceiling, corridors, staircases, and escalators, under evening illumination 

The National Gallery Singapore stands as a lan