Pulau Ujong (Malay: literally 'island at the end [of the peninsula]') or Singapore Island is the main island of the island country of Singapore. It forms the majority of the island country in terms of area and population. It was the easiest reference to the Singapore Island as anyone travelling from the Straits of Malacca to the South China Sea or vice versa would have to pass the island, hence giving it the name. Like Johor's old name, ujong tanah meaning "Land's End", the island was known better by the Orang laut as Pulau Ujong literally meaning "End Island". The early Chinese reference to P'u Luo Chung corresponds to the Malay reference known as Pualau Juong. In the 18th century, the island was known as Pulau Panjang (Long Island).
[edit] References
- Victor R Savage, Brenda SA Yeoh (2004), Toponymics A Study of Singapore's Street Names, Eastern University Press, ISBN 981-210-364-3
