Singapore is an island country made up of 63 islands. The strait of Johor separates it from Malaysia. From the northern side and from the southern side tie is separated by Singapore Strait from Riau Islands of Indonesia. Singapore is called officially a republic of Singapore. The island country is almost filly urbanized with only slight traces of primary forest left.

The English name of Singapore was derived from the Malay name of Singapura. Hence the country is customarily referred as “Lion City”.

Ever since it was inhabited in 2 century AD, Singapore had been part of several native empires. With the Sultan of Johor’s permission, Singapore hosted for the East India Company, a trading post in the year 1819.In 1924, the British had total sovereignty over Singapore. In 1926 it became one of the British Straits settlements. Japanese took control of Singapore in the Second World War. In1963, Singapore unites with other previous British territories to form Malaysia. However it got expelled and after two years, it gained Independence. Ever since its independence the country ah grown in wealth and has became the one of the four Asian Tigers. Singapore has emerges as the world’s fourth financial capital and the Singapore port has became the fifth busiest port in the world.

The island country is a parliamentary republic and its parlimentary government is a Westminster system of unicameral government. Since from the time the country was granted permission by the British for internal self government in 1959, the PAP (People’s Action Party) is ruling the country

Singapore’s legal system of is based on the English common law system. Over the passage of time modifications were made like the trial by jury method removal. The PAP has still a very popular image. This is because of a powerful, knowledgeable and high-quality government which is supported by an efficient Civil Service and a good educations system highlighting on achievement and meritocracy.

Capital: City of Singapore

Independence: 31 August 1963

Language: English, Malay, Chinese, Tamil

Currency: Singapore Dollar (SGD)

Religion: 33% Buddhism, 18% Christianity, 15%slam, 11% Taoism, 5.1% Hinduism, 17% no religion.

Time: GMT + 8 hrs

Electricity; 230 V, 50Hz

History of Singapore

Singapore’s earliest settlement was Sumatran SriVijaya outpost called Temasek (sea town’) and that dates back to the 2nd century AD. It was part of the sultan of Johor in between in the 16th centuries and the early 19th centuries. Singapore was burnt and sank by the Portuguese in 1623 and for almost 2 centuries it dipped into darkness.

Thomas Stamford Raffles came to Singapore. He signed a treaty with the Sultan Hussein Shah on British East India Company’s behalf to develop Singapore’s southern part as trading post. Under a treaty in 1824, the sultan of Johor and Temenggong transferred the possession of Singapore to the British East India Company and the island came under the British possession. In 1826 it became part of the British colony called the Strait Settlements. By the year 1829 nearly 1, 00,000 inhabited the island.

The imperial army of Japan n invaded Malaya during the Second World War and it terminated the Battle of Singapore. The British and got surrendered to the Japanese forces on 15th February 1942. Sir Winston Churchill, the British prime minister termed it as the nastiest catastrophe and the biggest surrender in history. Singapore was occupied by the Japanese until the British regained it in September 1945 after the Japanese surrendered.

In the year 1955 the first general election was held. It was won by the Labor front leader, a pro-Independence David Marshall. He led a delegation to London for demanding self-rule. But his offer was turned down. He resigned and Mr.Lim Yew Hock replaced him. His polices convinced the British governmentt to grant complete internal self-rule except that of Defence and foreign affairs.

A landslide victory was won by the People’s party in the May 1959 elections. Within the commonwealth Singapore became an internally self governing state with Lee Kwan Yew becoming the first prime minister of Singapore. Yusof bin Ishak became the first president. in 1965.

Singapore was given independence on 31 August 1963 by the British prior to joining the federation of Malaysia. In September along with Sabah, Sarawak and Malaya based on the 1962 Merger Referendum. However after a heated conflict, Tunku Abdul Rahman separated Singapore form the federation. Hence as a result, Singapore gained sovereignty on August 9, 1965.