|  Singapore 
  
 
 Singapore [Singapore] BrE  BrE NAmE  NAmE
 a small country in south-east Asia, consisting of the island of Singapore and 54 smaller islands near the end of the Malay Peninsula. It has been a republic and a member of the  Commonwealth  since  1965. The first town there was established by Stamford Raffles in  1819, and it soon became an important port for ships travelling between Europe, India and China. It was part of the  ↑British Empire  until it became independent in  1963. Singapore is well known for its political and economic  ↑stability. It is still one of the world’s most important ports, and has successful banking and high-technology industries.
 
 
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