Singapore History

Due to its location as an island at the tip of the Malaysian peninsula Singapore escaped the fate of the rest of Malaysia. The Kingdom of Singapore was first established in 1299 and had fairly stable native rule until the Dutch came but because of its lack of natural resources they directed their attention more to the mainland. However the British Governor Stamford Raffles recognized the potential for a major port. He paid the ruling sultan for rights to establish a trading port in 1819. In 1824 an additional Treaty led to the entire island being a British possession. The decision to make it a free port led to its dominance in southeast Asia.

In WW II the Japanese took over Singapore. When the war was over Britain reclaimed it. By the 1950s Singapore and Malaysia were working toward independence. Under the leadership of Lee Kuan Kew it was finally achieved in 1963 and the confederation of Malaysia was formed with Singapore as one of its states. However disagreements arose and Singapore chose to become its own country in 1965.

It is a unilateral parliamentary government. While free multiparty elections are held the People's Action Party has governed since it became independent.

The two major ethnic groups are Chinese and Malay. Pics are of old historic places.Read more