Singapore (Singapura, 新加坡) is a city-state in Southeast Asia that became independent from the British in 1965 and is now one of the world’s leading economic centre in shipping and banking. Combining the skyscrapers and subways of a modern, affluent city with a mix of Chinese, Malay, Arab, and Indian influences alongside a tropical climate, tasty food from hawker centres, copious shopping malls, and vibrant night-life scene, this Garden City makes a great stopover or springboard into the region.