These are what Singaporeans have been Googling in 2012

Various top 10 Google searches revealed.

Today, Google announced its annual Zeitgeist, a look at 2012 through the collective eyes of the world on the web, offering a unique perspective on the year's major events and hottest trends based on searches conducted in Singapore.

According to a release, this year's trending searches underscored Singaporean interest in sports with Jeremy Lin and the 2012 Olympics topping searches in Singapore. The nation also followed Singaporean table tennis star, Feng Tianwei’s triumphant progress during the Summer Games. Other Olympic stars that captivated with their performance included sprinter Usain Bolt and swimmer Michael Phelps. Interestingly, while football remained top of mind for Singaporeans, basketball made inroads, with Lebron James, Jeremy Lin and the LA Lakers amongst the most searched terms this year.

Singapore was also struck by a fresh wave of Hallyu fever with global phenomenon ‘Gangnam Style’ grabbing attention islandwide. But for Singaporeans, Psy and K-pop are no one-trick ponies. Singaporeans’ abiding love for Korean pop and TV shows was evident, with searches high for acts like SNSD, BigBang and shows like Running Man, Rooftop Prince and Secret Garden.

Major news stories to grab attention this year included the Syrian crisis, US Elections and Hurricane Sandy. Closer to home, Singaporeans kept up with regional and local news and events including Bo Xilai’s dismissal from office in China, the Bersih movement in Malaysia, and updates from the investigation into last December’s train disruptions in Singapore. On the lighter side, Singapore also kept tabs on the latest celebrity gossip, with Twilight star Kristen Stewart -- famed for her dramatic breakup and subsequent reconciliation with co-star Robert Pattinson -- topping celebrity searches.

Legoland Malaysia, the first Legoland theme park in Asia, proved a hit, coming in as the top travel destination for Singaporeans. Hong Kong, a popular weekend getaway famed for good food and shopping, came in second. On the whole however, holidaymakers preferred to relax under the sun with well-known beach destinations snagging 5 out of the top 10 travel hotspots.

Always on the lookout for a good deal on the latest fashions, Singaporeans shopped ’til their fingers dropped online, checking out popular brands and online retailers like Kate Spade, Louis Vuitton, and Reebonz. Singaporeans also indulged their love of good food this year, with rainbow cake, chilled beancurd, cupcakes and sushi amongst the most searched treats.

Google spokesperson Sana Rahman says: “The year-end Zeitgeist is a cultural barometer showing us what quickened our national heartbeat and drove our curiosity. This year, Singaporean searches for the best of Korean music and TV shows that the K-pop wave is more than just a fleeting trend, but rather a phenomenon here to stay.”

Check photos for top 10 lists.