Singapore

Singapore is an island country in Asia with its capital in Singapore and about 6.1 million people. Singapore is known for its busy port, its hawker food centres and its Gardens by the Bay, and it has no farmland to fall back on.

Singapore in purple, with Singapore marked. Outline from the same detailed coastlines the games use.

Capital: Singapore
Continent: Asia
Population (2025): 6.1 million
Land area: 725 km² (280 sq mi)
Island country: Yes, all on islands

Find it among 48 Asia countries →Explore Singapore on the map Name difficult islands

The story of Singapore

Where the name comes from

Singapore comes through Malay Singapura from Sanskrit simha, “lion”, and pura, “city”, linked to a traditional story of a king sighting a lion.

First people

A medieval Malay trading town called Temasek stood here.^1,2

Known for

Singapore is known for its busy port, its hawker food centres and its Gardens by the Bay, and it has no farmland to fall back on.^3,4

Outside contact

Britain set up a port in 1819 and took full control in 1824; Japan occupied it in 1942–1945, and migrants from China, India and the archipelago shaped today’s society.¹

The modern country

Singapore joined Malaysia in 1963 and left on 9 August 1965, becoming a small city-state built on trade, industry and services.⁴

Singapore

The story of Singapore

Where the name comes from

First people

Known for

Outside contact

The modern country

Nearby countries

Quiz yourself on Asia

More countries in Asia

Sources