Singapore, officially Republic of Singapore, Island country, Southeast Asia.

Situated off the southern tip

of the Malay Peninsula, it comprises Singapore island and 60 islets. Area: 272 sq mi (704 sq km).

Population: (2022 est.) 5,230,000.

Capital: Singapore.

Government: Unitary dominant-party parliamentary republic

 President: Halimah Yacob

 Prime Minister: Lee Hsien Loong

Ethnic groups: 74.3% Chinese, 13.5% Malay, 9.0% Indian, 3.2% Others

Official Languages: English, Chinese (Mandarin), Malay, Tamil.

Religions: 31.1% Buddhism, 20.0% No religion, 18.9% Christianity, 15.6% Islam, 8.8% Taoism, 5.0%
Hinduism, 0.6% Others

Currency: Singapore dollar

Area: 272 sq mi (704 sq km)

Etymology

 Singapore is the English name for Malay name Singapura which derived from Sanskrit word for
Lion city.
 A Chinese account described it as "Pu-luo-chung" referring to “Pulau Ujong" which means the "island
at the end of a peninsula" in the Malay language.
 Later, the city was known as Temasek ("Sea Town"), when the first settlements were established
from AD 1298-1299.

History

 Origin of Singapore
o A prince from Sumatra founded Singapore when he landed on the island after an auspicious
lion. He considered it a sign of goodwill and named the city after Singapore, which means
the lion city. Singapore at that time was a trading port with a small population until the
Europeans came in to settle. It was a Malay fishing village with hundreds of indigenous
people who were known as the Orang Laut.
 The Raffles Effect – Emergence of Modern Singapore
o When Lord Hasting in late 1818 appointed Sir Raffles, India's British governor-general, to
build a station for trading in the Malay peninsula's southern tip. After a thorough survey of
the nearby island when he reached Singapore island, he found some jungles and swamps
with a small population. It made him realize that it could be utilized positively by
transforming it into a useful port. And sooner, Singapore became one of the critical centers
for British forces and commerce.
 Acquisition of British
o After Malacca and Penang, Singapore became the third British acquisition in east India
Malay. They built a trading port that maximized the growth rapidly. People across Malaysia,
Europe, India, and China came to Singapore to live and work here. With time, the population
increased, and till the year 1867, Singapore became the crown colony under the British
government's governance rather than the East India Company. Moreover, a number of
buildings were erected during the period.
 World War 2 and Colonialism's End
o In 1942, Malaysia was conquered by the Japanese that gained superiority over the naval and
air rapidly in the area. British had no other choice left except for surrendering the island.
That happened within a week only. Japanese had Singapore captivated until 1945. Winston
Churchill claims it as the worst disaster and the largest capitulation ever in British history.
Singapore had to go through many, including labor strikes, social unrest, unemployment,
unstable economic situation, diminishing infrastructure, and inadequate housing. After three
years of capture, the Japanese gave up, and The British occupied Singapore again.
 Post War Period
o After the Japanese surrendered Singapore to the British, the situation went worse.
Singapore remained in a state of violence, looting, revenge killings, and disorder. British
forces came back to Singapore and took over the rule officially from Japan. Once officially
British got hold of Singapore from Japan, a proper administration was formed to govern the
island. However, even then, the country was not stable. The violence and crime continued.
There was a massive shortage of food, electricity, water issues, telephone service, and a
great loss of its harbor facilities. All of it caused a lot of chaos, including the disease and
death rise. The ascent in the costs of products and unemployment prompted various
insubordinate strikes, which prompted stoppages in different services, including
transportation. The economy began to improve by late 1947, yet it would, in any case,
require a long time to settle the economy like the pre-war time. The British had lost the
certainty of Singaporeans as they neglected to guard the country. This prompted a
condition of political arousing among the local populace. There was a rise in the number
of anti-colony groups and gatherings that came up with the innumerable patriot slogans
battling for Merdeka or independence in the Malay language.
 Independence of Singapore
o In 1945, Singapore had its separation from Malaysia, the Strait settlements were broken up,
and Singapore moved towards its independence. In 1954, the People's Action Party was
framed, and it drove the Singaporean legislative issues quickly to the degree that in 1955,
another constitution was presented. In 1959, Singapore turned into a self-governing state
under the British Government, with the People's Action Party, Lee Kuan Yew, taking over as
the Prime Minister. In 1963, Singapore announced its independence from British rule and
joined the Malaysian federation and Sarawak, Malaya, and Sabah. Nevertheless, after
 the ideological clashes and conflicts between the Singapore government's major
ideological group, People's Action Party (PAP), and federation, Singapore left in 1965
and in the exact year acquired sway formally. Singapore turned out to be entirely
independent, and Yusof Bin Ishak was confirmed as its first president while Lee Kuan
Yew proceeded as the prime minister. The unified Malaysia and Singapore came out to
be a wrong decision and failed big time. Therefore, Singapore left Malaysia in the year
1965, and it became an independent nation practicing democracy. Indeed, even today,
Singapore safeguards the remaining of its colonial, wartime past and multicultural in the
form of memorials, monuments, and museums.
 Economic Development
o However, the ultra-industrialized society that Singapore is also flourishing in the travel
industry, drawing in many tourists each passing year. Singapore's port has outperformed
Rotterdam and Hong Kong; it is known as the busiest transshipment port in the world at
present. The country's medical, including the travel industry businesses, have
surprisingly developed throughout the long term getting more attractive and marketable
development regarding the mosaic heritage of culture and media technology. Aside
from the critical development and growth in the financial area and biotech industry,
Singapore today is likewise the fifteenth biggest trading accomplice of the United States.
The adequacy of the early-proposed financial plan of action is, in fact, honorable. In
today's time, Singapore is popularly known for its prosperous and booming center of
industry and commerce, with rapid growth in terms of economy. Singapore is the only
island surrounded by a minimum of 60 islets, with a compact 720 sq. Km. Furthermore,
it is one of the fundamental and major oil distribution and refining centers. It is also a
significant supplier of the components of electrics. Both business and joy are made
more available and smooth streaming by the Republic's astounding and exceptional
communication network, connecting it to the world's remains through telephone
systems, satellite, and all-time available telegraph. Presently completely developed into
an Asian Dragon, Singapore is some way or another, obviously, the main objective for
both business and entertainment. Moreover, Singapore is considered one of the most
business-friendly countries. The government funds transport, generous housing, and
health care programs. Singapore has open markets for imports and exports. The total
value of the goods exports and imports is equal to 362.2 percent. The tariff rate applied
is 0.1%.
 Conclusion
o The historical background of Singapore and the records of how Singapore was framed
are shrouded in time. A third-century Chinese record alludes to it as the island toward
the finish of a peninsula in the Malay language. Afterward, the city was referred to as
Sea town or Temasek, and then during the fourteenth century, it procured the name of
Singapore, and there is an antiquated legend behind it.

Geography

 Located in Southeast Asia, Singapore consists of one 30-mile-long island (called Pulau Ujong, or
mainland Singapore) surrounded by 62 smaller islands. The country’s neighbors include Malaysia
to the north and Indonesia to the south. Most of Singapore is flat, with more than half of Pulau
 Ujong only 50 feet (15 meters) above sea level. However, the middle of the island includes Bukit
Timah Hill, the highest natural point in Singapore. It stands 545 feet (166 meters)—about the
height of a 44-story building.

People and Culture

 During the 19th and 20th centuries, Singapore was known as a place to trade goods and
attracted people from other countries, including China. Today about 75 percent of the
population is of Chinese descent; the rest are mostly Malay and Indian. Buddhism is widely
practiced religion in Singapore, followed by Christianity, Islam, Taoism, and Hinduism. The
population of Singapore has more than doubled since 1980, making the country one of the most
crowded islands in the world. But low crime, affordable public transportation, and a
technologically advanced capital known for towering skyscrapers help the country consistently
rank high for life satisfaction. People living there also have a high life expectancy: 82 years. Food
is important in Singapore culture. In fact, a common greeting is "Have you eaten?” Popular
dishes include a crispy flatbread with fish curry called roti prata, and bak kut teh, pork ribs
served in a peppery broth.

Nature

 Rain falls somewhere on the hot, tropical island every day of the year. Singapore was once
almost entirely covered in rainforests, but 95 percent have been cut down to build bigger cities.
Most of Singapore’s beaches are human-made—the natural ones were built over to extend
cities, called land reclamation. This includes beaches on Sentosa Island, a popular tourist
destination. Today most of the wildlife on mainland Singapore lives in reserves like the Bukit
Timah Nature Reserve and the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve. Visitors can see animals like crab-
eating macaques, reticulated pythons, and emerald doves. The smaller islands boast marine life
such as giant clams, Caribbean reef octopuses, black-tip reef sharks, and seahorses.

Government

 Singapore is a parliamentary republic. The Parliament is the legislative branch of the

government; it’s led by a president, who—along with Parliament members—is elected by the
public. The president appoints a prime minister to lead the Cabinet, which is the executive
branch. The prime minister is the head of the government, and the president mostly represents
Singapore at ceremonies around the world. In 2017, the country elected its first female
president. Singapore has one of the strongest economies in Southeast Asia. Top businesses
include banking and manufacturing of cars and computers. The country has one of the lowest
unemployment rates, as well as one of the highest percentage of millionaires.

Economy

 Singapore’s economy is indubitably one of the most advanced in the world. Even though it is
small in size and very limited in natural resources, the state has successfully established itself as
an economic powerhouse in the Southeast Asian region. Likewise, it is also the most open
economy in the world according to the World Economic Forum. Singapore tax rate is low,
making it one of the most attractive countries to start a business. Similarly, the gross domestic
product per capita is very high even when compared to other developed countries.
 Furthermore, a highly advanced education system and a strong commitment to talent
development have led to a very low unemployment rate.

History of Singapore’s Economy

 The economic history of Singapore dates back to the 1800s when it was designed as a seaport
hub. During the last quarter of the 19th century, the volume of trade taking place in this region
had increased dramatically. However, the evolution of Singapore into a modern, world-class
free-market economy is fairly recent. After the independence from Malaysia in 1965,
Singapore’s economy faced several challenges. For one, a large chunk of the population was
unemployed and illiterate. Furthermore, it had a very small domestic market and also had
limited access to international markets. Worse, the lack of natural resources also posed a great
difficulty for this island nation. Corruption was rampant and social unrest and race riots occurred
as a result of poor economic conditions. However, things have changed for the better after the
election of former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew. It was the starting point for Singapore’s
accelerated development in the latter half of the 20th century and until today. His major focus
lied on nurturing and advancing the human capital of Singapore through world-class education
and training. Likewise, he understood the importance of well-developed infrastructure. During
the start of the 1960s, Singapore made significant efforts to attract foreign investment. Within 5
years of Lee’s election, Singapore’s GDP growth was over 10% until 1973. Likewise,
unemployment levels decreased massively, and a large population advanced from low-income
to middle-income status. Furthermore, Singapore also improved its financial service sector to
control inflation and widen areas of investment and growth.

Key Drivers of Singapore’s Economy

 Manufacturing
o The manufacturing sector is the key driver of the Singaporean economy and it accounts
for about one-fourth of the total GDP. Electronics and biomedical are the key sectors
inside the manufacturing industry and they have grown continuously as a result of high
demand. Likewise, chemical and petroleum products manufacturing is also fueled by the
presence of more than 100 multinational companies. The manufacturing industry of
Singapore has constantly been driven by innovation. As of today, it is making great
strides in modernizing industrial processes and technologies. Investments in robotics,
additive manufacturing, the internet of things, and artificial intelligence have grown
significantly. Similarly, its progress in building modern manufacturing infrastructure will
ensure its position as one of the leaders in the world. In addition to large
multinationals, the startups and small businesses scene in Singapore is also very
encouraging. Singapore has been voted as one of the best countries in the world for
starting a new business. Likewise, the government has increased spending on research
and development in the most disruptive technologies of tomorrow. Similarly, it has kept
a sharp focus on preparing skilled manpower who will drive the future of Singapore and
the whole world.
 Financial Services
o The financial services industry of Singapore is the second key player in its prosperous
present and future. Singapore features one of the strongest banking industries in the
 world. The astounding success and growth of these industries are based on several
factors. First, Singapore has a very stable political environment which means there is a
very low risk of domestic and international conflicts. Second, it has allowed liberalization
of the banking sector which supported its growth and competition in the region. It also
helps that there is a favourable environment for international banks to enter and
operate in the region. Similarly, its tax-friendly policies make it an attractive destination
for the expansion and growth of multinationals. Like the manufacturing sector, the
financial services sector is also being modernized with new technologies. The fintech
scene is developing at a rapid rate which means Singapore is likely to be one of the
world leaders in the industry. The growth and development of fintech startups have
been supported by both internal and external funding. Furthermore, finance-based
technologies have been adopted by major institutions to remain competitive in the
market. Currently, the demand for fintech has increased in the wake of COVID-19 and it
is set to remain the same for the coming future.
 Energy and Chemicals
o Singapore boasts one of the most developed energy infrastructures in the world. Its
strategic location coupled with world-class processing and storage facilities makes it one
of the top players in the region. It also has an abundance of highly skilled personnel who
possess world-class competence in the industry. The government has made significant
efforts to develop and maintain sustainable and renewable energy sources. As of today,
more than 90% of electricity generated in Singapore comes from natural gas. However,
the prospect of solar power generation is very encouraging and it is set to be a key
provider in the near future. Furthermore, it is adopting and testing new technologies for
efficient power generation and consumption. In addition to the energy sector, the
chemicals industry is also a key player in Singapore’s economy. Likewise,
pharmaceuticals accounted for the largest share in the country’s manufacturing output
which was worth over 80 billion US Dollars.
 Tourism
o Tourism is also one of the major pillars of the Singaporean economy. Before the
coronavirus pandemic, Singapore brought in nearly 20 million tourists, which is three
times its own population. Despite being one of the smallest countries in the world, there
is a lot to do and a lot to explore in this country. There are several reasons why
Singapore has a prosperous tourism industry. First, it has strong air connectivity and its
flag carrier is one of the largest airlines in the world. Singapore Airlines operates on five
continents connecting major cities of Asia, Europe, North America, Africa, the Middle
East, and Australia. Second, travelling in Singapore is easy as it has a well-developed
transportation system that allows visitors to visit the most notable landmarks and
destinations. Likewise, it possesses a number of tourist attractions like zoos, aquariums,
and natural sightseeing. There are also several cultural landmarks and museums with
rich historical values. Furthermore, if you are a fan of shopping and trying out new food,
Singapore has magnificent diversity.