Singapore is an island nation located just south of Malaysia. It was first settled in the second century by the Sumatran Srivijaya Empire. Then from the sixteenth to the nineteenth centuries, it was controlled by the Sultanate of Johor. In the early nineteenth century, the British arrived, turning Singapore into a major trading port in Southeast Asia. During World War II, the island was occupied by the Japanese, who were eventually defeated. In 1965, Singapore became a fully independent country. Today, Singapore has one of the most advanced economies in Southeast Asia. It is a highly industrialized country with a strong financial sector. Singapore performs as a financial intermediary in shipping raw materials all over the world.Singapore is an exciting country to study. This book explains all you need to know about the ancient and current nation and provides a unique insight into this amazing country and its people. The Asian Countries Today series provides information on nine of the most important countries in Asia. Every book describes the history, geography, economy, culture, and relationship each country has with its neighbors. Furthermore, the series will encourage, inspire, and motivate the young reader to explore this fascinating subject in more depth.