Singapore

Singapore, officially the Republic of Singapore, is an island country and city-state in Southeast Asia. It has one big island, over 60 small islands, and one faraway tiny island. It is just north of the equator and sits at the bottom of the Malay Peninsula, between the Strait of Malacca and the South China Sea.

In the past, Singapore was called Temasek. In 1819, a British leader named Stamford Raffles turned it into a trading place for the British Empire. After World War II, Singapore became its own country in 1965. Even though it does not have many natural resources, it grew to become a rich and modern nation.

Today, Singapore is one of the richest countries in the world. It is known for being safe, having clean streets, great schools, and a strong economy. Many people visit for its airports, shopping, and important business areas. Singapore is also famous for its many cultures. It has four official languages: English, Malay, Mandarin, and Tamil. The city is busy but also has many parks and green spaces.

Name and etymology

Main article: Names of Singapore

Singapore's name means "lion city." It started with a word called Singapura. Long ago, a prince named Sang Nila Utama saw something he thought was a lion. He named the place Singapura. Before that, the island had other names like Temasek, which might mean "sea town."

During World War II, when Japan controlled the area, they called it Syonan-to. Today, Singapore is sometimes called the "Garden City" because of its parks. People also call it the "Little Red Dot" because that is how the country looks on a map.

History

Main article: History of Singapore

Ancient Singapore

Further information: Early history of Singapore

In 1299, the Kingdom of Singapura was founded on the island by Sang Nila Utama. Singapore, then called Temasek, was a trading port under the Majapahit Empire and nearby kingdoms. Later, its ruler had to leave for Malacca and start a new kingdom there. A small trading settlement stayed for a time. In 1613, raiders burned it down, and Singapore became quiet for many years. It was then part of the Johor Sultanate.

British colonisation

The British leader Stamford Raffles came to Singapore in 1819 and chose it as a good place for a new port. With help from local leaders, he set up a trading post. In 1824, a treaty made the whole island part of the British Empire. By 1860, many people lived there, mostly Chinese, working on farms. Later, rubber became important, and Singapore grew as a key place for rubber trade.

Singapore was not greatly changed by the First World War. After that war, the British built a big navy base. Work started slowly and finished in 1938. It was the world's largest dry dock.

Japanese occupation

Main article: Japanese occupation of Singapore

During the Pacific War, Japanese forces attacked Singapore. When British troops gave up on 15 February 1942, it was a big loss for Britain.

Post-war period

Main article: Colony of Singapore

After the war ended in 1945, Singapore had problems but slowly got better. In 1946, it became its own crown colony. In 1959, Singapore got more control over its own affairs. The PAP party, led by Lee Kuan Yew, won the elections.

Within Malaysia

Main article: State of Singapore (Malaysia)

In 1963, Singapore joined with other areas to become part of Malaysia. But differences caused problems, and in 1965, Singapore left Malaysia and became independent.

Republic of Singapore

See also: Independence of Singapore Agreement 1965

After becoming independent on 9 August 1965, Singapore worked hard to grow its economy. It joined the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 1967. The PAP party has led the country since 1959. In 1990, Goh Chok Tong became prime minister, then Lee Hsien Loong in 2004, and Lawrence Wong in 2024.

Geography

Main article: Geography of Singapore

See also: Land reclamation in Singapore

Singapore is made up of over 60 islands, with the biggest one called the main island, also known as Pulau Ujong. It is close to Malaysia, connected by two man-made links: the Johor–Singapore Causeway in the north and the Tuas Second Link in the west. Some of the larger smaller islands include Jurong Island, Pulau Tekong, Pulau Ubin, and Sentosa Island. The highest natural point in Singapore is Bukit Timah Hill, standing at 163.63 metres tall.

The country has grown its land through land reclamation projects. Since the 1960s, Singapore has expanded from about 580 square kilometres to around 770 square kilometres, and it plans to grow even more by the 2030s. These projects sometimes combine smaller islands into larger ones. Singapore also faces challenges with sand supplies for reclamation, so it uses other methods like polders to create new land.

Nature

Main article: Wildlife of Singapore

Because Singapore is very urbanized, most of its natural forests have disappeared. Today, much of the remaining fauna and flora live in small nature reserves, like the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve. To help nature, the government started making Singapore a “garden city” in 1967. Now, about 10% of the land is parks or nature reserves. One famous garden is the Singapore Botanic Gardens, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Climate

See also: Climate change in Singapore

Singapore has a tropical rainforest climate with warm temperatures and lots of rain all year. Temperatures usually stay between 23 and 32 degrees Celsius. There is a wetter time from November to February, called the monsoon season. Sometimes, from July to October, smoke from bush fires in nearby Indonesia can make the air hazy.

Singapore is preparing for future challenges like rising sea levels. The government is investing money to protect its coastline and has started using more solar power, including a big floating solar farm at Tengeh Reservoir.

Government and politics

Main articles: Government of Singapore, Politics of Singapore, and Administrative divisions of Singapore

Singapore is a parliamentary republic. It uses the Westminster system. The President is the head of state. The government has three parts: the Executive, Legislature, and Judiciary.

The Executive has a Cabinet led by the prime minister. The Legislature is the Singapore Parliament. Members are elected to make laws. The Judiciary makes sure justice is fair.

The President is chosen by popular vote for six years. Members of Parliament are elected at least every five years. The main political party is the PAP. It has been in power since 1959. The government works to help the economy grow and stay stable.

Economy

Main article: Economy of Singapore

Singapore has a strong and open market economy. It is friendly to businesses, with low taxes and good facilities. The country is one of the "Four Asian Tigers" and has a high standard of living. Singapore's economy grows with help from foreign investment and skilled workers.

The currency of Singapore is the Singapore dollar, managed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore. The country is known for its low tax rates, which attracts many wealthy people. Singapore offers benefits to its citizens, like financial help, free medical care, and support for education costs.

Demographics

See also: Race in Singapore

As of mid-2025, Singapore's population was about 6.1 million. About 60% are citizens, and the rest are permanent residents or foreign workers and students. Most people are of Chinese, Malay, or Indian descent, with some from other backgrounds.

Singapore has four official languages: English, Malay, Mandarin, and Tamil. English is used a lot in business, government, and schools. Many people also speak their mother tongue at home, such as Mandarin or Malay.

Languages

Main article: Languages of Singapore

Religion

Main article: Religion in Singapore

Education

Main article: Education in Singapore

See also: List of primary schools in Singapore, List of secondary schools in Singapore, and List of universities in Singapore

Education in Singapore is supported by the government. Children go to primary school for six years and then secondary school for four to five years. English is the main language used for teaching. Students take exams to move to the next level. Singapore’s students do very well in tests for math, science, and reading.

Health

Main article: Health in Singapore

See also: Healthcare in Singapore

Singapore has good healthcare that is not too expensive. The country has one of the longest average lifespans in the world. The government helps people pay for healthcare using special savings accounts and insurance. Public hospitals are well-run and provide good care.

Culture

Main article: Culture of Singapore

Singapore is a small country with many different cultures. People there speak many languages and follow many religions. This makes it a special place where many traditions come together. Some people speak English and might feel connected to Western ways. Others speak Chinese, Malay, or Tamil and follow their own traditions. The government works hard to help everyone get along, no matter their background.

The country has many places for art, like the National Gallery Singapore and the ArtScience Museum. Singapore enjoys music, from classical orchestras to popular singers. The national flower is a special orchid, and the city is known as the Lion City. Major holidays from different religions are celebrated as public holidays, bringing everyone together.