The Republic of Singapore is composed of 63 islands, grouped under a parliamentary republic. Its capital is the city of Singapore, which is considered a city-state. It is the smallest country in Southeast Asia, although its territory continues to grow steadily with land reclaimed from the sea. Its growth since the independence of the United Kingdom and separation from Malaysia has been extremely accelerated and today the country is known as one of the "four Asian tigers."

 

Singapore is a key world trade hub. It has the third largest financial center and the port that moves the second largest amount of goods in the world. Its economy depends mainly on trade and the manufacturing sector. It is usually among the top places in international lists in education, health, political transparency and economic competitiveness and it is the third country with the highest per capita income in the world.

 

The country promotes government policies that encourage the multiculturalism that characterizes its population: about two fifths of its inhabitants are of foreign origin, while the original population is a mixture of Chinese, Malaysian, Indian and Eurasian minorities. Singapore is the Asian country most influenced by the West and is often seen as a gateway to the rest of the continent. Even so, it is a proudly Asian country, with an interesting combination of Western business and traditionally Asian values.

 

A curious fact: The name of Singapore comes from "Singa Pura", which means "Lion City".