Situated at the heart of the city of Singapore, the Botanic Gardens demonstrates the evolution of a British tropical colonial botanic garden that has become a modern world-class scientific institution used for both conservation and education. It was founded in 1859 by an agri-horticultural society, and played a pivotal role in the region's rubber trade boom in the early 20th century. By perfecting the technique of rubber extraction, still in use today, and promoting its economic value, rubber output expanded rapidly. At its height in the 1920s, the Malayan peninsula cornered half of the global latex production.
More than 10,000 species of flora is spread over its 82-hectares area, which is stretched vertically; the longest distance between the northern and southern ends is 2.5km. The National Orchid Garden, within the main gardens, is at the forefront of orchid studies and a pioneer in the cultivation of hybrids, complementing the nation's status as a major exporter of cut orchids. Aided by the equatorial climate, it houses the largest orchid collection of 1,200 species and 2,000 hybrids. Early in the nation's independence, Singapore Botanic Gardens' expertise helped to transform the island into a tropical Garden City.
The layout of the Gardens as it is today is largely based on Lawrence Niven's design. The cultural landscape includes a rich variety of historic features, plantings and buildings that demonstrate the development of the garden. Burkill Hall is a colonial plantation bungalow built in 1886. It used to be the director's house and was named in honour of the only father and son pair to hold the post of Director of Singapore Botanic Gardens, Isaac and Humphrey Burkill. The ground level serves as an exhibition area, showcasing information on the different hybrids named after VIPs who have visited the garden.
About the stamp, issued to commemorate the ASEAN Community, I wrote here.
References
Singapore Botanic Gardens - Wikipedia
Singapore Botanic Gardens - UNESCO official website
Singapore Botanic Gardens - Official website
Sender: Vivian Lau (direct swap)
Sent from Singapore, on 31.10.2016
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