Singapore has been called the 20th century's most successful development story. Lee Kuan yew, the man who founded modern-day Singapore led the economic transformation.
One of the most influential leaders of the 20th century, Lee Kuan Yew was an autocrat whose tiny island-state became one of the richest places in the world, and is a role model for Asia and beyond.
Singapore has little land and no natural resources, but after its independence in 1965, the former British colony transformed into a major manufacturing and financial center.
Conservatives see Singapore as a free-market success story. Low taxes, few capital restrictions, and liberal immigration policies have made it one of the most cosmopolitan places on earth.
