The founding of modern Singapore is generally traced back to the establishment of a British trading post in Singapore in 1819. Singapore, together with Malacca and Penang, became the Straits Settlements in 1826, under the control of British India.
] After dissolution of the Straits Settlements in 1946, Singapore became a Crown Colony. Self-government was attained in 1959.
In May that year, Singapore held its first general election, and, Lee Kuan Yew, the leader of the People’s Action Party, became the first Prime Minister of the self-governing State of Singapore.
On 16 September 1963, Singapore gained independence from Britain as a member of the Federation of Malaysia. Singapore then seceded from Malaysia on 9 August 1965, achieving full independence.
The People's Action Party (PAP) has ruled Singapore since self-governance. In November 1990, Lee Kuan Yew stood down from the Prime Ministership, allowing Goh Chok Tong to become Singapore's second Prime Minister.
On 12 August 2004, PM Goh handed the baton over to Lee Kuan Yew’s eldest son, Lee Hsien Loong, who was previously the Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister.
Goh then assumed the post of Senior Minister previously held by Lee Kuan Yew. The latter assumed the newly-created post of Minister Mentor.
Located at one of the crossroads of the world, Singapore's strategic position has helped it grow into a major centre for trade, communications and tourism.
Its geographical location is 136.8 km north of the equator, between latitudes 103 degrees 38' E and 104 degrees 06' E.
Singapore was founded as a British trading colony in 1819. It joined the Malaysian Federation in 1963 but separated two years later and became independent.
Singapore subsequently became one of the world's most prosperous countries with strong international trading links (its port is one of the world's busiest in terms of tonnage handled) and with per capita GDP equal to that of the leading
Disputes persist with Malaysia over deliveries of fresh water to Singapore, Singapore's extensive land reclamation works, bridge construction, and maritime boundaries in the Johor and Singapore Straits; in November 2007, the ICJ will hold public hearings as a consequence of the Memorials and Countermemorials filed by the parties in 2003 and 2005 over sovereignty of Pedra Branca Island/Pulau Batu Puteh, Middle Rocks and South Ledge; Indonesia and Singapore continue to work on finalization of their 1973 maritime boundary agreement by defining unresolved areas north of Indonesia's Batam Island; piracy remains a problem in the Malacca Strait
It is linked to Malaysia by two causeway bridges, and the key islands of the
Riau archipelago of Indonesia are just a quick ferry trip away.
Thailand and the Philippines are a short plane journey away. Singapore, with an airport served by more than 69 airlines, is very much the gateway to Southeast Asia.
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