Singapore, Island nation in Southeast Asia.
Singapore is an island city-state at the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, covering one main landmass and dozens of smaller outlying islets. The cityscape shifts between waterfront high-rise districts, tropical parkland and densely built residential neighborhoods of mid-rise blocks.
The British East India Company founded a trading post at the mouth of the Singapore River in 1819, which quickly grew into a transfer hub between Europe and Asia. After Japanese occupation during the Second World War and a brief federation with Malaysia, the city-state gained independence in 1965.
Four official languages – English, Mandarin, Malay and Tamil – appear on street signs, public announcements and in everyday exchanges between neighbors and shopkeepers. Hawker centers serve as common meeting points where diners share tables and sample dishes from across Asia.
The Mass Rapid Transit network and bus lines cover nearly all districts, with a rechargeable card providing access to both modes of transport. English is widely spoken, making wayfinding and conversations with locals straightforward.
The state has no natural freshwater sources and meets its needs through desalination plants, rainwater collection and imported water from Malaysia. Numerous public drinking fountains show how routine this technical solution has become in daily life.
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