Singapore

island nation · Southeast Asia · city-state · trade hub

Island country. Singapore sits right near the equator off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, in Southeast Asia. It's actually made up of more than 60 islands and islets, not just one main island.

Surrounded by water. The country borders four different water passages: the Strait of Malacca to the west, the Singapore Strait to the south, the South China Sea to the east, and the Straits of Johor to the north. This makes it a perfect spot for ships traveling between countries.

Neighbors nearby. Singapore sits very close to Malaysia to the north and Indonesia to the south across the Singapore Strait. Being sandwiched between these larger countries makes it a super important meeting point for trade and culture.

Near the equator. Singapore is located about one degree of latitude north of the equator, which means it has a tropical climate that's warm and humid almost all year long.