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ОглавлениеJOURNEY THROUGH
SINGAPORE
On the surface, Singapore appears to be a brash, modern city just like many in the West. But beneath this veneer you will find a fascinating blend of Asian cultures. It is a nation at a crossroads, as Stamford Raffles realized when he ‘leased’ the island for the British in the nineteenth century. He turned the island into a thriving trading port between East and West. Mass migrations from the region and elsewhere further transformed Singapore. In 1959, the British granted Singapore self-governance. An attempt in 1963 to merge with Malaysia failed due to tensions in the alliance, thus in 1965 Singapore became an independent nation. Strong leadership led to a new and modern Singapore: safe, clean and successful—a wealthy little country with a big reputation.
