Singapore is situated in South East Asia, between Malaysia and Indonesia. The total land surface area is approximately 700 square kilometres and is home to nearly five million inhabitants. As an island state, Singapore is graced with one of the world’s most magnificent natural harbours, which has been the central focus of its early development and economic prosperity.

Having achieved full independence in 1965, the Republic of Singapore has a long history of stable government and sound economic management. It enjoys a very modern and diverse economy and is regarded as one of the strongest economies in the world. The main industries were originally shipping and ports but have broadened to include electronics, pharmaceuticals, tourism, and financial services. Its inhabitants enjoy one of the highest standards of living in the world, ranked 11th internationally as a proportion of GDP per capita.

Singapore’s prosperity can be tracked to a series of astute decisions by leadership on the development of the economy from its roots as a trade port and materials handling facility to a complex and diverse economic power. Further, the internal direction is to move from the manufacture of technologies and ideas developed elsewhere to the point where the nation is a centre for research and development in horizon technologies and applications.

The unicameral Parliament currently consists of 94 members. Voting in elections is compulsory for all nationals over 18 years of age.

Mandarin, English, Malay and Tamil are all official languages and a wide variety of other languages are also spoken, particularly given that there are many foreign workers in the nation. English in combination with a mother tongue are the common languages for education. Religious observance is spread between Buddhist, Muslim, Taoist, Christian and Hindu faiths.