Singapore is located at the-southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, about 137 kilometres north of the Equator. It consists of the diamond-shaped Singapore Island, and some 60 small islets.
Singapore became an independent state in 1965, after the expulsion from Malaysia.
The currency of the country is the Singapore dollar. Singapore is the largest port in Southeast Asia, and is one of the busiest in the world. Singapore is a global commerce, finance and transport hub. The country has also been identified as a tax haven.
Chinese account for more than 75 per cent of Singapore’s multi-racial population, with Malays and Indians making up much of the remainder. It is ranked highly in education, healthcare, life expectancy, quality of life, personal safety and housing.
Singapore is also referred to as Garden City for its tree-lined streets and greening efforts since independence.