Connected by a causeway to peninsular Malaysia, Singapore measures only 622 sq km, yet it is home to more than 3 million people. For the most part, their ancestors arrived only within the past 200 years, coming from China, India, Malaysia, and Europe to form one of the world's most vibrant ethnic mixes. Founded in 1819 as a trading center by Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, Singapore won its independence in 1965 and has rapidly emerged as one of Asia's economic "tigers." It has been Southeast Asia's most modern city for more than a century for a reason. Successive governments have kept it that way through constant change, still in progress. Nevertheless, Singapore is easy to explore independently. The best way is on foot, wandering the streets to discover small shops, a special house, or a temple, or just to observe the daily scene.