Singapore

Singapore, officially the Republic of Singapore, is an island country and city-state in maritime Southeast Asia. It is located about one degree of latitude north of the equator, off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, bordering the Strait of Malacca to the west, the Singapore Strait to the south along with the Riau Islands in Indonesia, the South China Sea to the east, and the Straits of Johor along with the State of Johor in Malaysia to the north. The country's territory comprises one main island, 63 satellite islands and islets, and one outlying islet; the combined area of these has increased by approximately 25% since the country's independence as a result of extensive land reclamation projects. It has the third highest population density of any country in the world, although there are numerous green and recreational spaces as a result of urban planning. With a multicultural population and in recognition of the cultural identities of the major ethnic groups within the nation, Singapore has four official languages: English, Malay, Mandarin, and Tamil. English is the common language, with its exclusive use in numerous public services. Multi-racialism is enshrined in the constitution and continues to shape national policies in education, housing, and politics.

Some of the key events about Singapore

1819
Establishment of a British trading post on the island
1867
Singapore became a Crown Colony under direct British rule
1942
Japanese forces occupied Singapore during World War II, resulting in widespread suffering and atrocities
1950
The Maria Hertogh riots erupted, causing 18 deaths and exposing racial and religious tensions
1959
Singapore achieved self-governance from British colonial rule
1963
Singapore joined the Federation of Malaysia
1963
Operation Coldstore led to the arrest of over 100 alleged communist sympathizers, sparking controversy
1964
Race riots broke out between Chinese and Malay communities, resulting in 36 deaths and hundreds of injuries
1965
Singapore gained independence as a sovereign nation
1965
Singapore was unexpectedly expelled from the Federation of Malaysia, forcing sudden independence
1967
Introduction of National Service to build up Singapore's military defense
1975
The Laju incident occurred when terrorists seized a ferry and held hostages, creating a tense standoff
1979
Launch of the "Stop at Two" family planning campaign to control population growth
1983
The Sentosa cable car disaster claimed seven lives when two cabins plunged into the sea
1986
The Hotel New World collapse killed 33 people, exposing construction and safety issues
1990
Implementation of the Electronic Road Pricing system to manage traffic congestion
1997
The Asian financial crisis severely impacted Singapore's economy, leading to a recession
2003
The SARS outbreak infected 238 people in Singapore, causing 33 deaths and economic disruption
2010
Opening of the Marina Bay Sands integrated resort, transforming Singapore's skyline
2015
Singapore celebrated its 50th year of independence with nationwide festivities

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