The vast majority of the island's population lives in public-housing tower blocks.

The citizens enjoy one of the world's highest standards of living, but also a system of punishments for acts such as busking without a licence or not flushing a public lavatory.

Government-led initiatives encourage Singaporeans to have more babies, be more courteous to each other, and "Speak Good English".

Chinese make up more than 75% of the community, along with Malays and Indians. Singapore also has a large number of foreign workers.

Although a multi-party nation, the People's Action Party (PAP) has been the dominant political force since independence. Human rights groups have accused some politicians of using defamation suits to silence their opponents.

Singapore is often referred to a one of Asia's "economic tigers". Its economy has weathered regional crises, including the 1997 Asian markets slump and the 2003 Sars virus outbreak.

The country was referred to - less kindly - by the writer William Gibson as "Disneyland with the death penalty".

• Population: 4.4 million (UN, 2005)
• Capital: Singapore
• Area: 660 sq km (255 sq miles)
• Major languages: English, Malay, Mandarin, Tamil
• Major religions: Taoism, Buddhism, Islam, Christianity
• Life expectancy: 76 years (men), 80 years (women) (UN)
• Monetary unit: 1 Singapore dollar = 100 cents
• Main exports: Computer equipment, machinery, rubber products, petroleum products
• GNI per capita: US $21,230 (World Bank, 2003)
• Internet domain: .sg
• International dialling code: +65

President: S R Nathan

Prime minister: Lee Hsien Loong

The elder son of Singapore's founding father Lee Kuan Yew, Lee Hsien Loong took office on 12 August 2004 as part of a planned handover of power.

On taking office, the new prime minister vowed to continue the policy of opening up Singapore's society.

A former army officer, Mr Lee followed his father into politics at the age of 32, becoming deputy prime minister in 1990.

As finance minister in his predecessor's cabinet, he was credited with helping to secure Singapore's competitive edge amidst growing competition from China.

Mr Lee's father, who oversaw the transformation of Singapore into a major economic player, is the cabinet's official mentor - a newly-created post.

Goh Chok Tong, Mr Lee's predecessor, is the senior minister in the cabinet, and thus the most senior advisor to the prime minister.