Tanah Merah, Singapore
This article includes a improve this article by introducing more precise citations. (December 2014) ) |
Tanah Merah | |
---|---|
Other transcription(s) | |
• Jawi | تانه ميره[pronunciation?] |
• Tamil | தானா மேரா[pronunciation?] |
Coordinates: 1°18′51.47″N 103°56′50.33″E / 1.3142972°N 103.9473139°E | |
Country | Singapore |
Region | East Region |
Main composition | 4 planning areas |
Tanah Merah (Chinese: 丹那美拉 Tamil: தானா மேரா), is a geographical region located along the south-eastern coast of the East Region of Singapore. Although its boundaries are not exactly clear, it is widely accepted that the term refers to the southern coast of present-day Bedok, Tampines, Changi and Changi Bay.
Etymology
The name "Tanah Merah" appears in the seventeenth century (1604) map by
The Malay name for this area is derived from the red lateritic cliffs along the coast that were visible from the sea, hence the name Tanah Merah or "red land". The earliest written reference comes from James Horsburgh's 1806 chart of "Singapore and Malacca", which has the name "Red Cliffs". Later, two sets of red cliffs were identified in Franklin and Jackson's 1830 map: "Large Red Cliff" (Tanah Merah area) and "Small Red Cliff" (present Bedok area) and "2nd Red Cliffs" (Tanah Merah area). J.E. Tassin's 1836 Map of Singapore refers to the area as "1st Red Cliffs" (Bedok area) and "2nd Red Cliffs" (Tanah Merah area).
Old maps also show the existence of Tanah Merah Road as early as the 1840s, which stretched from Kallang River to Changi Point. Now, the road ran mostly along the original route but was renamed Geylang Road, Changi Road and Upper Changi Road, with a section between Siglap Road and Tanah Merah Kechil Road lost after the hills of Chai Chee and Bedok were levelled, and another short section lost under Changi Airport. Later, the road leading to "Large Red Cliff" was named "Tanah Merah Besar Road" while the other was named "Tanah Merah Kechil Road". Besar means "large" while Kechil means "little" in Malay.
The presence of weathered lateritic soil provided the red-orange colouring of the area that led to its name even before Raffles' founding of Singapore. The exposed red lateritic soils were probably visible to many passing boats and hence the "landmark" was captured in early maps of Singapore.
History
When land reclamation works began in the early 1970s, most of the coastal hills were levelled and dumped into the sea to create the present
Tanah Merah Besar was a large coastal cliff located approximately at the southern end of
Transport
Tanah Merah's
Raised above the middle of New Upper Changi Road is
The bus stops next to Tanah Merah MRT station are usual pick-up and drop-off points for buses which take passengers to nearby places such as National Service Resort & Country Club and Changi Naval Base.
By sea, it is also home to the Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal with regular service to the Indonesian Riau Islands, as well as Sebana Cove and Tanjung Pengelih in Malaysia.
Recreation
Being home to four recreational clubs, Tanah Merah offers a vast spectrum of recreational choices such as golfing, tennis, bowling, swimming and water sports amongst other activities.
- Tanah Merah Country Club (TMCC) has one of the most expensive club membership rates in the country. This is justified by its plethora of amenities including golf courses, swimming pools, a gymnasium, a jackpot room, tennis, squash and basketball courts as well as lessons and courses on various interests such as dancing.
- National Service Resort and Country Club (NSRCC), established to be a recreational spot for full-time National Servicemen, abuts the East Coast beach on the outskirts of Tanah Merah.
- Laguna National Golf & Country Club, aside from being a golfing club, offers spa services and other recreational activities such as tennis.
- Singapore Armed Forces Yacht Club (SAFYC), founded by a group of sailing enthusiasts in 1967, specialises in sea sports and activities. It offers water sports courses and an array of other amenities for MICEand private functions.
Residents of Tanah Merah also enjoy using the Bedok Park Connector – which is a route that connects Bedok Reservoir to East Coast Parkway. It spans several kilometres long, and runs along a canal/waterway. Residents often use the connector for daily walks or runs. Some also use it for roller blading, or cycling, whilst some even fish, although is not strictly legal.
There are many dining options in Tanah Merah. This includes the restaurants located in East Village, hawker center in The Bedok Marketplace and restaurants in the shop houses along Jalan Pari Burong.
References
- Victor R Savage, Brenda S A Yeoh (2004), Toponymics – A Study of Singapore Street Names, Eastern University Press, ISBN 981-210-364-3