Singapore Blossoms into Major City

Singapore is transforming itself from a dull metropolis famous for its draconian cleanliness into an exciting, vibrant, tourists' paradise, Time reports. Plans are percolating for casinos, skyscrapers, amusement parks, and a multi-billion dollar residential and commercial real estate development located downtown.

As young Singaporeans leave to find jobs overseas and the birth rate wanes, the government is looking to entice millions of immigrants, with the goal of a 25% population increase over the next few decades. Natives are worried new arrivals will take their jobs; in one poll, 43% said they believe the government is more concerned with foreigners. (More China stories.)