Modern History in Singapore- An Overview

Singapore is one of the major tourist destinations in Southeast Asia. However, this small city state is also well known as a major financial center of Asia as well as of the world. The country has a number of tourist attractions for the visitors. whether you are a common tourist or a business person you are sure to find something o your interest in Singapore. though a small city state the history of Singapore is also very rich. If you love to know the history of the place you are visiting then you are sure to be amazed learning about the interesting and captivating history of Singapore. There are a number of well known historical accounts of this small city state. The modern history of Singapore is very eventful and inspiring. It feels great to know how a small fishing village by the sea has developed into a major tourist destination as well as financial capital of the world.

Though the history of Singapore dates back to the 11th century, the name of the island was little known to the West until the 19th century. In the year 1819, Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles arrived at Singapore as an agent of the British East India Company. In the year 1824, the British purchased Singapore Island, and by the year 1825, the city of Singapore had become a major port. Within a year of British ownership the port began to trade so heavily that its trade exceeded that of Malaya's Malacca and Penang combined. In the year1826, Singapore, Penang, and Malacca were joined as the Straits Settlements to form an outlying residency of the British East India Company. In the year 1867, the Straits Settlements were made a British Crown Colony. This was an arrangement that continued until the year 1946.