By Melissa G.
Summary
The Gardens of Beauty. That is what the
Botanic Garden in Singapore is. From the grand
white pearly gates to the rain forest, it is all very
beautiful. At 52 hectares, it is one of the worlds’
largest botanical garden. Once you pass through the
gates, the first attraction is the Swan Lake. There is
an Orchid Garden, Evolution Garden, Ginger
Garden, and a miniature rain forest. The Orchid
Garden is three hectares. It has more than 1,000
species, and 2,000 hybrids of orchids. The Orchid
Garden is also the biggest attraction in the Botanical
Gardens. The Evolution Garden is 1.5 hectares. The
Evolution garden is quickly gaining popularity.
There is also a Ginger Garden. The garden is 1
hectare. There you will find several types of ginger
from the ginger family. The
last section or biggest part of
the Botanical Gardens is the
Rain Forest. The forest is six
hectares. The rest of the
hectares are lakes, walkways,
plants, different flowers, and
pavilions. Located in
Singapore, there are two
rather large rain forests,
considering the fact that Singapore is really small.
There are several other main attractions. For
example, there is the Green Pavilion, and the
Symphony Lake.
In 1822, Sir Stamford Raffles set up the
first Botanical Gardens on Government Hill [Fort
Canning Hill]. Sir Stamford Raffles also founded
Singapore, and was a keen naturalist. When the
garden first began, it was intended to introduce
cultivation of economic crops. Unfortunately, due to
the lack of full time, salaried director, the garden had
to close in 1829 shortly after Sir Stamford Raffles’
death.
In 1859, the present day garden was founded
by the Agri Horticultural Society. Until the Society
gave the park to the government in 1879, the garden
was used as a leisure park and an ornamental group.
In 1888, the first administrator, Henry Nicholas
Ridley spent the next 23 years, [into the 20th
century] improvising the garden and making it into,
a leading Botanical Garden. In 1996, the National
Park Board and the Parks of Recreation Department
merged, with Dr. Chin See Chung as the director.
Dr. Chin is the current director, and he has created
many other popular and possibly better attractions.
Although the Botanical Gardens in Singapore is
much smaller than many of the other Botanical
Gardens, it keeps expanding, and improving making
it one of the worlds largest garden in the world, and
a garden that is continuously changing and growing.
Just incase you haven’t been to Singapore, the
Botanic Garden is 1/3 the size of the Central Park
in New York City.
Timeline
1822-Sir Stamford Raffles founded
the first Botanical Garden.
1829-The Botanical Garden closed
down.
1859-the Agri Horticultural Society
founded the present Botanic Garden.
1888-Henry Nicholas Ridley was the
first administrator.
1973-The Parks and Trees Branch of
the Public Works Dept. merged with
the Parks and Recreation Dept.
1988-Dr. Tan Wee Kiat was the
director.
1990-The Parks board changed and
Dr. Tan Wee Kiat became the Chief
executive.
Dictionary
HectareOne hectare is 2.47
acres, [10,000 square
meters].
OrchidAn orchid is
Singapore’s national
flower. Very
beautiful the colors
will vary.
KeenSomeone who is avid
or interested in a
certain subject.
Resources
Singapore, http://singapore.tourism-asia.net/botanicalgardens.html, February 16, 2008
Botanic Gardens 2007, http://www.sg/about
us/ourhistory.asp, February 13, 2008
Gone Tropical- Database Newspaper Source, February 14,
2008
Pictures- Wikipedia