Singapore was founded as a British trading colony in 1819. It joined the Malaysian Federation in 1963 but separated two years later and became independent. Singapore subsequently became one of the world's most prosperous countries with strong international trading links (its port is one of the world's busiest in terms of tonnage handled) and with per capita GDP equal to that of the leading nations of Western Europe.

Southeastern Asia, islands between Malaysia and Indonesia

slightly more than 3.5 times the size of Washington, DC

tropical; hot, humid, rainy; two distinct monsoon seasons - Northeastern monsoon (December to March) and Southwestern monsoon (June to September); inter-monsoon - frequent afternoon and early evening thunderstorms

lowland; gently undulating central plateau contains water catchment area and nature preserve

fish, deepwater ports

industrial pollution; limited natural freshwater resources; limited land availability presents waste disposal problems; seasonal smoke/haze resulting from forest fires in Indonesia

focal point for Southeast Asian sea routes

4,740,737 (July 2011 est.)

8.5 births/1,000 population (2011 est.)

4.95 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.)

4.63 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.)

1.11 children born/woman (2011 est.)

fewer than 100 (2009 est.)

urban: 100% of population

total: 100% of population (2008)

urban: 100% of population

total: 100% of population

urban: 0% of population

total: 0% of population (2008)

Chinese 76.8%, Malay 13.9%, Indian 7.9%, other 1.4% (2000 census)

Buddhist 42.5%, Muslim 14.9%, Taoist 8.5%, Hindu 4%, Catholic 4.8%, other Christian 9.8%, other 0.7%, none 14.8% (2000 census)

Mandarin (official) 35%, English (official) 23%, Malay (official) 14.1%, Hokkien 11.4%, Cantonese 5.7%, Teochew 4.9%, Tamil (official) 3.2%, other Chinese dialects 1.8%, other 0.9% (2000 census)

parliamentary republic

9 August 1965 (from Malaysian Federation)

National Day, 9 August (1965)

3 June 1959; amended 1965 (based on pre-independence State of Singapore Constitution)

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

21 years of age; universal and compulsory

unicameral Parliament (87 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms); note - in addition, there are up to nine nominated members; up to three losing opposition candidates who came closest to winning seats may be appointed as "nonconstituency" members

Supreme Court (chief justice is appointed by the president with the advice of the prime minister, other judges are appointed by the president with the advice of the chief justice); Court of Appeals

National Solidarity Party or NSP [GOH Meng Seng]; People's Action Party or PAP [LEE Hsien Loong]; Reform Party [NG Teck Siong]; Singapore Democratic Alliance or SDA [CHIAM See Tong]; Singapore Democratic Party or SDP [CHEE Soon Juan]; Workers' Party or WP [Sylvia LIM Swee Lian]

ADB, AOSIS, APEC, ARF, ASEAN, BIS, C, CP, EAS, FATF, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNMIT, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white; near the hoist side of the red band, there is a vertical, white crescent (closed portion is toward the hoist side) partially enclosing five white five-pointed stars arranged in a circle; red denotes brotherhood and equality; white signifies purity and virtue; the waxing crescent moon symbolizes a young nation on the ascendancy; the five stars represent the nation's ideals of democracy, peace, progress, justice, and equality

Singapore has a highly developed and successful free-market economy. It enjoys a remarkably open and corruption-free environment, stable prices, and a per capita GDP higher than that of most developed countries. The economy depends heavily on exports, particularly in consumer electronics, information technology products, pharmaceuticals, and on a growing financial services sector. Real GDP growth averaged 7.1% between 2004 and 2007. The economy contracted 1.3% in 2009 as a result of the global financial crisis, but rebounded nearly 14.7% in 2010, on the strength of renewed exports. Over the longer term, the government hopes to establish a new growth path that focuses on raising productivity, which has sunk to 1% growth per year in the last decade. Singapore has attracted major investments in pharmaceuticals and medical technology production and will continue efforts to establish Singapore as Southeast Asia's financial and high-tech hub.

$291.9 billion (2010 est.)

$255.1 billion (2009 est.)

$257 billion (2008 est.)

$222.7 billion (2010 est.)

3.075 million (2010 est.)

27.2% of GDP (2010 est.)

102.4% of GDP (2010 est.)

110% of GDP (2009 est.)

5.38% (31 December 2010 est.)

5.38% (31 December 2009 est.)

$82.13 billion (31 December 2010 est.)

$64.26 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

$294.4 billion (31 December 2010 est.)

$255.2 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

$199.8 billion (31 December 2010 est.)

$249 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

$620.5 billion (31 December 2010)

$474.3 billion (31 December 2009)

$268.6 billion (31 December 2008)

orchids, vegetables; poultry, eggs; fish, ornamental fish

electronics, chemicals, financial services, oil drilling equipment, petroleum refining, rubber processing and rubber products, processed food and beverages, ship repair, offshore platform construction, life sciences, entrepot trade

39.21 billion kWh (2008 est.)

37.11 billion kWh (2008 est.)

10,910 bbl/day (2009 est.)

927,000 bbl/day (2009 est.)

1.374 million bbl/day (2007 est.)

1.195 million bbl/day (2007 est.)

0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.)

8.341 billion cu m (2009 est.)

0 cu m (1 January 2010 est.)

$44.08 billion (2010 est.)

$23.94 billion (2009 est.)

$351.2 billion (2010 est.)

$268.9 billion (2009 est.)

machinery and equipment (including electronics), consumer goods, pharmaceuticals and other chemicals, mineral fuels

Hong Kong 11.6%, Malaysia 11.5%, US 11.2%, Indonesia 9.7%, China 9.7%, Japan 4.6%, Hong Kong 11.6% (2009 est.)

$310.4 billion (2010 est.)

$245 billion (2009 est.)

machinery and equipment, mineral fuels, chemicals, foodstuffs, consumer goods

US 14.7%, Malaysia 11.6%, China 10.5%, Japan 7.6%, Indonesia 5.8%, South Korea 5.7% (2009 est.)

$225.8 billion (31 December 2010 est.)

$187.8 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

$21.66 billion (31 December 2010 est.)

$20.3 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

$274.6 billion (31 December 2010 est.)

$260.5 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

$172.1 billion (31 December 2010 est.)

$167.4 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Singapore dollars (SGD) per US dollar -

1.852 million (2009)

6.652 million (2009)

state controls broadcast media; 8 domestic TV stations operated by MediaCorp, wholly owned by a state investment company; broadcasts from Malaysian and Indonesian stations available; satellite dishes banned; multi-channel cable TV service is accessible; a total of 18 domestic radio stations broadcasting with MediaCorp operating more than a dozen and another 4 stations are closely linked to the ruling party or controlled by the Singapore Armed Forces Reservists Association; large number of Malaysian and Indonesian radio stations are available (2008)

3.235 million (2009)

the International Maritime Bureau reports the territorial and offshore waters in the South China Sea as high risk for piracy and armed robbery against ships; numerous commercial vessels have been attacked and hijacked both at anchor and while underway; hijacked vessels are often disguised and cargo diverted to ports in East Asia; crews have been murdered or cast adrift

Singapore Armed Forces: Army, Navy, Air Force (includes Air Defense) (2010)

18-21 years of age for male compulsory military service; 16 years of age for volunteers; 2-year conscript service obligation, with a reserve obligation to age 40 (enlisted) or age 50 (officers) (2008)

4.9% of GDP (2005 est.)

disputes persist with Malaysia over deliveries of fresh water to Singapore, Singapore's extensive land reclamation works, bridge construction, and maritime boundaries in the Johor and Singapore Straits; in 2008, ICJ awards sovereignty of Pedra Branca (Pulau Batu Puteh/Horsburgh Island) to Singapore, and Middle Rocks to Malaysia, but does not rule on maritime regimes, boundaries, or disposition of South Ledge; Indonesia and Singapore continue to work on finalization of their 1973 maritime boundary agreement by defining unresolved areas north of Indonesia's Batam Island; piracy remains a problem in the Malacca Strait

drug abuse limited because of aggressive law enforcement efforts; as a transportation and financial services hub, Singapore is vulnerable, despite strict laws and enforcement, as a venue for money laundering