Singapore is unique in so many ways; often referred to as the ‘jewel of Southeast Asia’, this small city/state has a long and colourful history, which we present in this short article. Due to its prime location, this port was widely used by trading countries and was known as Temasek in the 16th and 17th centuries.
Stamford Raffles
In the early 19th century, Stamford Raffles established Singapore as a trading post for the British Empire and 46 years later, it was officially added to the British Empire. This was part of the Straits Settlements, which came into effect after World War II; from 1942-1945, Singapore was occupied by Japan and was handed over as a separate colony settlement to a representative of the British government. You can enjoy a delicious Halal lunch buffet in Singapore at one of the top hotels and reflect on the steeped history that made this country what it is today.
Independence
In 1959, Singapore finally achieved independence and in 1969, Singapore became part of a Malaysian group but after a couple of years, disagreements saw Singapore leave and become a totally independent sovereign nation in 1965.
Economic Development
Under the right leadership, Singapore soon became an economic tiger and a major air and sea port for the Southeastern Asian region. Successive governments have remained focused on making Singapore a major player of the region and a strong domestic economy is the result. Singapore has one of the highest GDP per capita in the world, so it a highly developed country with state-of-the-art infrastructure and a very happy population.
Lush Green Spaces
Despite being the third most densely populated country on the planet, Singapore has lush green areas that blend with the urban development. Their concept has always been to create a garden environment within a metropolis, and I think we can all agree that they have indeed succeeded. This tiny nation has won many awards internationally for urban planning and innovative green technologies that it is constantly implementing. Click here for tips when sourcing a boat tour.
Parliamentary Government
Singapore took a leaf from the British by following their parliamentary system, with a legal system based on common law. Singapore is one of the 5 founding members of ASEAN and is regarded by all as one of the strongest economies in the Aisa-Pacific region.
In many ways, Singapore is a model to the world, they have no social issues, 88% of all citizens own their own home and crime rates are very low. Indeed, many expats enjoy life in the tropical paradise known as Singapore and if you are planning a visit to this unique nation, we hope that this short history enriches your experience. Google is your best friend and can take you to sites with a detailed history of Singapore and you can learn more.
