Singapore

Singapore is an island that is the sovereign state of Maritime Southeast Asia. It is located about 1 degree (137 km or 85 miles) north of the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, bordering the Straits of Malacca to the west, the Riau Islands (Indonesia) to the south, and the South China Sea to the south. East China Sea. The country's territory consists of one main island, 63 satellite and islets, and one remote island, and as a result of a large landfill project, the total area has increased by 25% since the country's independence. It is the second most densely populated country in the world. With a multicultural population and recognition of the need to respect cultural identity, Singapore has four official languages. English, Malay, Mandarin, Tamil. English is a common language. Multiracialism is enshrined in the Constitution and continues to shape national policies in education, housing and politics.

Modern Singapore was founded in 1819 by Sir Stanford Raffles as a trading post of the British Empire. In 1867, the Southeast Asian colonies were reorganized and Singapore was placed under direct British control as part of the Straits Settlements. During World War II, Singapore was occupied by Japan in 1942 and returned to British control as an independent crown colony after Japan's surrender in 1945. Singapore gained autonomy in 1959 and became part of Malaysia's new federation in 1963. Malaya, North Borneo, Sarawak. Due to differences in ideology, Singapore was expelled from the Commonwealth two years later and became an independent country.

After the initial turmoil, despite the lack of natural resources and hinterlands, the country developed rapidly, becoming one of the four Asian Tigers based on foreign trade and becoming a highly developed country. .. It ranks 9th in the United Nations Human Development Index and has the second highest per capita GDP (PPP) in the world. Singapore is the only country in Asia that has AAA sovereign ratings from all major rating agencies. A major financial and shipping center, it has consistently been ranked as the most expensive city to live in since 2013 and is recognized as a tax haven. Singapore is highly regarded for its key social indicators such as education, medical care, quality of life, personal safety and housing, with a home ownership rate of 91%. Singaporeans enjoy one of the longest life expectancy in the world, the fastest internet connection speeds, and the lowest infant mortality rate in the world.

Singapore is a single parliamentary republic with a unicameral parliamentary Westminster system. Elections are generally considered free, but the government has great control over politics and society, and the People's Action Party has continued to rule since independence. Singapore, one of the five founding members of ASEAN, is the headquarters of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and Pacific Economic Cooperation Council (PECC) Secretariats and also hosts many international conferences and events. .. Singapore is also a member of the United Nations, the World Trade Organization, the East Asia Summit, the Non-Aligned Movement, and the Commonwealth of Nations.