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[[Image:Singaporeflag.gif|thumb|100px|Singapore flag]]'''Singapore''' (Malay: ''Singa'' (lion) + ''pura'' (city)) is a small island state situated at the southern tip of the Malay peninsula. Its population of about 4 million people is 76% ethnic Chinese, 14% Malay, 7% Indian and 3% others.

[[Image:Singaporeflag.gif|thumb|100px|Singapore flag]]'''Singapore''' (Malay: ''Singa'' (lion) + ''pura'' (city)) is a city-state and republic, situated on a group of islands at the southern tip of the Malay peninsula. Its population of about 4 million people is 76% ethnic Chinese, 14% Malay, 7% Indian and 3% others.

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==History==

==History==

In 1946, Singapore became a British Crown Colony. However, the communist insurgency in Malaya of 1948 put Singapore in a state of emergency for 12 years. There was a rise of nationalism during the 1950s as the merchant classes wanted to have a say in government and in 1959 Singapore was granted self-government under the leadership of Lee Kuan Yew. In 1963 Singapore merged with [[Federation of Malaya|Federated Malaya]] and the Borneo states of Sarawak and North Borneo (Sabah) to create Malaysia.  The third Borneo state of Brunei opted for independence.  This merger was actively opposed by the neighbouring states of Indonesia and the Philippines.  The union did not last long, owing to ideological differences between Lee Kuan Yee's PAP (People's Action Party) and the federal government in Kuala Lumpur.  Singapore was obliged to withdraw and became a sovereign, independent nation on August 9, 1965.

In 1946, Singapore became a British Crown Colony. However, the communist insurgency in Malaya of 1948 put Singapore in a state of emergency for 12 years. There was a rise of nationalism during the 1950s as the merchant classes wanted to have a say in government and in 1959 Singapore was granted self-government under the leadership of Lee Kuan Yew. In 1963 Singapore merged with [[Federation of Malaya|Federated Malaya]] and the Borneo states of Sarawak and North Borneo (Sabah) to create Malaysia.  The third Borneo state of Brunei opted for independence.  This merger was actively opposed by the neighbouring states of Indonesia and the Philippines.  The union did not last long, owing to ideological differences between Lee Kuan Yee's PAP (People's Action Party) and the federal government in Kuala Lumpur.  Singapore was obliged to withdraw and became a sovereign, independent nation on August 9, 1965.

With only a small land mass and limited natural resources Singapore was forced to industrialize and develop its technical prowess alongside its trading role. Government policies emphasized the role of education, especially in computer science.

With only a small land mass and limited natural resources Singapore was forced to industrialize and develop its technical prowess alongside its trading and transportation hub role. Government policies emphasized the role of education, especially in computer science, and, increasingly, bio-sciences.

==References==

==References==