Part of the country series of articles.
TRAVEL ADVISORY: NORMAL PRECAUTIONSThe Commonwealth advises travellers to exercise normal precautions when travelling in this country. Travellers should familiarise themselves with local laws and customs and consular availability.
| Republic of Singapore | |
|---|---|
| Republic | |
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| Capital | Singapore |
| Languages | English, Mandarin, Malay, and Tamil |
| Population | 4,800,000 |
The Republic of Singapore is a city-state at the southern tip of the Malay peninsula, separated from Malaya early in the postcolonial settlement. It is prosperous, tightly governed and perhaps cynically pragmatic, with an economy built on manufacturing, port services and regional trade. The opening of the Thai- Malayan canal has complicated its position somewhat, diverting a share of traffic that once had no choice but to pass through the Strait of Malacca, and Singapore has had to turn to extracting value and reliability from its industrial base rather than geography alone.
The city-state’s main rival for manufacturing and maritime commerce is Saigon, and the competition between them shapes much of their respective foreign policies. Singapore is less culturally French and less financially oriented than Saigon, and pitches itself on manufacturing experience rather than charm. It retains the world’s busiest port.