Singapore is the smallest nation in Southeast Asia located on the tip of the Malay Peninsula. Originally a Malay fishing village with a population in the low hundreds. The British East India Trading Company set up a trading post in 1819 which later became an important military centre for the British Empire. The city changed hands briefly during World War II when the Japanese defeated the British in only six days, but the rule returned to the British in September 1945, one month after the Japanese surrender.
Eighteen years after World War II the city gained independence from Britain and merged with neighbouring countries to form Malaysia. Shortly afterwards Singapore seceded the federation and became an independent republic in August 1965.
Singapore is made up of one main island and sixty three surrounding islets. Since it’s independence living standards have been on the rise and in only 150 years Singapore has grown from a tiny fishing village to a thriving centre of commerce and industry. It is a world leader in ship building and repairing, it has the busiest port in the world and is one of the most important financial centres in Asia with over 130 banks.
