Singapore

Singapore is one of the world's few remaining city-states. It was originally settled as a trading post of the British East India Company of Great Britain in 1819. It eventually became one of the most important trading and military centers in the world. Singapore became an independent republic in 1965.

Today, Singapore is a major economic center of Southeast Asia. Its massive economy is based on many industries including entrepot (duty-free merchandise trading), electronics manufacturing, petrochemicals, tourism and financial services. Singapore, Hong Kong, South Korea and Taiwan make up "The Four Asian Tigers," nations in East Asia with growing economies. It is the world's fourth largest foreign exchange trading center after London, New York City and Tokyo and one of the world's largest ports.