The CIA World Factbook Every edition, 2000 to 2025 Southeast Asia

Background Singapore, in 26 editions.

The entry for Singapore published Background in 26 editions of 36, from 2000 to 2025. The text changed in 10 editions. Each is shown as published. Background in every entry.

editions changed the text
10
the first edition with it
2000
the latest edition with it
2025

Published as “Background” (2000 to 2025).

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2025 edition

Same as 2024

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The same text in 2024 and 2025.

A Malay trading port known as Temasek existed on the island of Singapore by the 14th century. The settlement changed hands several times in the ensuing centuries and was eventually burned in the 17th century, falling into obscurity. In 1819, the British founded modern Singapore as a trading colony on the same site and granted it full internal self-government for all matters except defense and foreign affairs in 1959.

Singapore joined the Malaysian Federation in 1963 but was ousted two years later and became independent. Singapore subsequently became one of the world's most prosperous countries, with strong international trading links and per capita GDP among the highest globally. The People’s Action Party has won every general election in Singapore since the end of the British colonial era, aided by its success in delivering consistent economic growth, as well as the city-state's fragmented opposition and electoral procedures that strongly favor the ruling party.

A Malay trading port known as Temasek existed on the island of Singapore by the 14th century. The settlement changed hands several times in the ensuing centuries and was eventually burned in the 17th century and fell century, falling into obscurity. The In 1819, the British founded modern Singapore as a trading colony on the same site and granted it full internal self-government for all matters except defense and foreign affairs in 1819. It 1959. Singapore joined the Malaysian Federation in 1963 but was ousted two years later and became independent. Singapore subsequently became one of the world's most prosperous countries countries, with strong international trading links (its port is one of the world's busiest in terms of tonnage handled) and with per capita GDP among the highest globally. The People’s Action Party has won every general election in Singapore since the end of the British colonial era, aided by its success in delivering consistent economic growth, as well as the city-state's fragmented opposition and electoral procedures that strongly favor the ruling party.

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Central Intelligence Agency. “Singapore: Background.” The World Factbook, 2000–2025 editions. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/singapore/background.

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