Skip to main content
Home

Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center

Main Menu

  • EROS Home
  • Image Gallery
  • Video Library
  • Earthshots
  • Remote Sensing Classroom

Earthshots

  • Earthshots
    • Singapore
      • The Island Changes
      • The Island Expands
      • Changi Airport
      • Jurong
  • Download Cards
  • More Information
  • Contact Information
Earthshots Logo

The Island Expands A Singapore story

Cities
  1. Earthshots
  2. Singapore
  3. The Island Expands
Description

The British started the expansion of Singapore within days of landing in 1819. The expansion was begun by moving soil into small areas around the old port town that flooded at high tide. As Singapore became more important to Britain’s economy and military, they invested more in the port, including more extensions of land. This activity peaked between the World Wars, when Britain built the port into its naval stronghold in East Asia, and it ended with the Second World War, after which development quieted. From the mid-1800s to 1960, the city’s coastline had moved about 500 meters seaward.

In the decades following self-government in 1959, Singaporeans have created much more land than the British did in 140 years. The 1973 and 1990 images show this transformation underway; new ground was created either by flattening nearby hills or by scooping up underwater sand to deepen navigation channels. By 2000, you can identify the new recreation areas, stretching east along the coast and on southern Sentosa Island, by the green color of their vegetation, with golf fairways appearing as bright strips. The harbor channel is flanked by the gray areas of loading facilities. In the later images, you can see ships of different colors and sizes swarming in the water.

View Related Imagery & Stories

Location

Oct. 17, 1973, Landsat 1 (path/row 134/59) — southern Singapore

Oct. 17, 1973, Landsat 1 (path/row 134/59) — southern Singapore

Sept. 13, 1989, Landsat 5 (path/row 125/59) — southern Singapore

Sept. 13, 1989, Landsat 5 (path/row 125/59) — southern Singapore

Sept. 3, 2000, Landsat 7 (path/row 125/59) — southern Singapore

Sept. 3, 2000, Landsat 7 (path/row 125/59) — southern Singapore

Oct. 11, 2002, Landsat 7 (path/row 125/59) — southern Singapore

Oct. 11, 2002, Landsat 7 (path/row 125/59) — southern Singapore

Feb. 8, 2009, Landsat 5 (path/row 125/59) — southern Singapore

Feb. 8, 2009, Landsat 5 (path/row 125/59) — southern Singapore

Feb. 25, 2015, Landsat 8 (path/row 125/59) — southern Singapore

Feb. 25, 2015, Landsat 8 (path/row 125/59) — southern Singapore

Apr. 19, 2017, Landsat 8 (path/row 125/59) — southern Singapore

Apr. 19, 2017, Landsat 8 (path/row 125/59) — southern Singapore

May 24, 2018, Landsat 8 (path/row 125/59) — southern Singapore

May 24, 2018, Landsat 8 (path/row 125/59) — southern Singapore

Oct. 17, 1973, Landsat 1 (path/row 134/59) — southern Singapore
Sept. 13, 1989, Landsat 5 (path/row 125/59) — southern Singapore
Sept. 3, 2000, Landsat 7 (path/row 125/59) — southern Singapore
Oct. 11, 2002, Landsat 7 (path/row 125/59) — southern Singapore
Feb. 8, 2009, Landsat 5 (path/row 125/59) — southern Singapore
Feb. 25, 2015, Landsat 8 (path/row 125/59) — southern Singapore
Apr. 19, 2017, Landsat 8 (path/row 125/59) — southern Singapore
May 24, 2018, Landsat 8 (path/row 125/59) — southern Singapore

Singapore Additional Imagery & Stories

Changi Airport
Changi Airport

The new shoreline extends east of the city all the way to the airport on the island’s tip. In the mid-1970s, the government moved the main internation...

Read More
Jurong
Jurong

The symbol of the new Singapore may be on the island’s west end, the industrial New Town of Jurong. In 1962, the government began clearing the jungle ...

Read More
The Island Changes
The Island Changes

Landsats 1 through 8 recorded these post-independence changes, starting with the city’s growth. For one and a half centuries, Singapore remained tight...

Read More
  • DOI Privacy Policy
  • Legal
  • Accessibility
  • Site Map
  • Contact USGS

  • U.S. Department of the Interior
  • DOI Inspector General
  • White House
  • E-gov
  • No Fear Act
  • FOIA