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 in the postcolonial settlement. Its economy is built on manufacturing, port services and regional trade, and it retains the world’s busiest port by tonnage. The opening of the Thai- Malayan canal has diverted a share of traffic that once passed exclusively through the Strait of Malacca, and Singapore has responded by extracting greater value from its industrial base and logistics capabilities rather than relying on geographic advantage alone.
The city-state’s principal commercial rival is Saigon, and competition between them shapes much of their respective foreign policies. Singapore concentrates on manufacturing depth and operational reliability; Saigon is more financially oriented and draws on its position within South China Sea trade networks. Singapore maintains close relations with Malaya and a careful but productive relationship with the major trading powers.