Singapore

Singapore, the chief island of the Straits Settlements (q.v.) and its capital. The former lies off the S. extremity of the Malay Peninsula, from which it is divided by a channel less than a mile broad, and is 25 miles long by 14 broad. It was acquired in 1817. The surface is low, undulating, and jungly. The rich soil yields cocoa-nuts, gambia, and all sorts of tropical fruits. The capital is on the S. coast, the roadstead affording safe anchorage. Founded in 1819, it has become one of the most important commercial centres of the East, serving as a depot for all the exports of Farther India, China, and the Indian Archipelago, and for the imports taken by those countries from Europe. Camphor, indiarubber, rice, spices, coffee, sago, pepper, canes, hides, and tortoise-shell are among the chief articles of trade, which is largely conducted by Chinese. It has an Anglican bishop.