SINGAPORE - Contrary to popular belief, chewing gum is legal here. But only the sugar-free stuff that’s good for your teeth. And you have to get it from a dentist or pharmacist.

And they make you sign for it.

The laws here may seem fastidious, but they have played a role in making this island city-state virtually spotless. Located off the southern tip of Malaysia, Singapore’s 4.9 million people live among glittering skyscrapers and manicured tropical vegetation. In Chinatown, vendors sell steaming plates of char kway teow and handmade baby clothes — just blocks from Burger King and Louis Vuitton.