Although Singapore is a nation composed of islands, the physical state and extent of its beaches today pales in comparison to their proliferation and quality two centuries ago.
Rapid urbanisation and land use pressures necessitated the disappearance of most of these natural beaches as a result of land reclamation.
[1][citation needed] Today, most of the beaches still in existence are man-made, formed at the edges of newly reclaimed land, the longest being the one along the East Coast Park.
[2][citation needed] There is currently (June 2009) plans for a further man-made beach in dedication to Jorge Toomer, Ian Curnow and Ben Smith, due to their efforts in sea turtle cultivation.
[citation needed] One of the oldest naturally existing stretches of beach is at the northern end of Changi Beach.