SINGAPORE BOTANIC GARDENS

officially Botanic Gardens botanical garden in Singapore that is one of the world's finest in terms of both its aesthetic appeal and the quality of its botanical collection. The garden has approximately 3,000 species of tropical and subtropical plants and a herbarium of about 500,000 preserved specimens. Much of the 31-hectare (80-acre) garden, which was founded by the British in the mid-19th century, was hewn out of the Malay jungle. More than 4 hectares (11 acres) of original jungle land have been preserved in their natural state. During its early years the garden served primarily as an experimental station for plantsboth native and importedwith potential commercial value. Under the direction of Henry N. Ridley, who took over as superintendent in 1888, the garden became a centre for research on Hevea brasiliensis, the Brazilian rubber tree. Ridley developed an improved method of tapping rubber trees that resulted in a better yield of latex. His innovation revolutionized the region's economy. Cultural life Cultural activities in Singapore are largely derivative, springing from one or another of the major civilizations of China, India, Indonesia, or the West. Traditional Chinese and Indian music, painting, and drama are practiced by numerous cultural societies and professional groups. Popular culture, based on modern mass media, is far more widespread. Malay music, which has adopted the rhythms of Western orchestras, has general appeal. Musical films that popularize Hindi and Tamil songs have a considerable following, as do films from Hong Kong, Taiwan, and the United States. Several Chinese, English, Indian, and Malay newspapers serve a largely literate population. Magazines published in the West, Hong Kong, and Japan also have wide appeal. The government monitors the press to a certain extent and on occasion places circulation restrictions on periodicals and newspapers that are critical of its policies. The government-owned Singapore Broadcasting Corporation controls all local radio and television broadcasting.