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. It 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.

Facts

Location: Southeastern Asia, islands between Malaysia and Indonesia
Geographic coordinates: 1 22 N, 103 48 E
Population: 4,680.600 (2007, estimated)
Capital: Singapore
Major languages: English, Malay, Mandarin, Tamil
Major religions: Taoism, Buddhism, Islam, Christianity
Life expectancy: 77 years (men), 80 years (women) (UN)
Monetary unit: 1 Singapore dollar = 100 cents
Main exports: Computer equipment, machinery, rubber products, petroleum products
GNI per capita: US $24,760 (World Bank, 2006)
Internet domain: .sg
International dialling code: +65
Area: total: 692.7 sq km land: 682.7 sq km water: 10 sq km
Area - comparative: Slightly more than 3.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: total: 0 km border countries: NA
Coastline: 193 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 3 NM exclusive fishing zone: within and beyond territorial sea, as defined in treaties and practice
Climate: Tropical; hot, humid, rainy; two distinct monsoon seasons - Northeastern monsoon from December to March and Southwestern monsoon from June to September; inter-monsoon - frequent afternoon and early evening thunderstorms
Terrain: Lowland; gently undulating central plateau contains water catchment area and nature preserve
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Singapore Strait 0 m highest point: Bukit Timah 166 m
Natural resources: Fish, deepwater ports
Land use: arable land: 1.64% permanent crops: 0% other: 98.36% (2001)
Irrigated land: NA
Natural hazards: NA
Environment - current issues: Industrial pollution; limited natural fresh water resources; limited land availability presents waste disposal problems; seasonal smoke/haze resulting from forest fires in Indonesia
Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements (not ratified)
Geography - Note: Focal point for Southeast Asian sea routes

Courtesy of Yahoo World Factbook