Singapore became a British colony in 1867.
Street scene (1900) —
Singapore became a British colony in 1867.
London Stereoscopic Company/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
The Singapore River became a major trade port for the city in its early days.
Singapore River (1925) —
The Singapore River became a major trade port for the city in its early days.
Hulton Archive/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Some of Singapore's poorer population, who couldn't afford land tax, lived in homes that were built on stilts on the water.
Stilt village (1935) —
Some of Singapore's poorer population, who couldn't afford land tax, lived in homes that were built on stilts on the water.
General Photographic Agency/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
As the river became the heart of commercial activity, warehouses opened up by the water.
Singapore River (1955) —
As the river became the heart of commercial activity, warehouses opened up by the water.
Siegfried Sammer/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
The shipping industry increased prosperity in Singapore, the city attracted migrants from the wider region.
Stamford Road (1940) —
The shipping industry increased prosperity in Singapore, the city attracted migrants from the wider region.
Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Large numbers of Chinese, Malays and Indians settled in the colony.
Raffles Place (1925) —
Large numbers of Chinese, Malays and Indians settled in the colony.
Hulton Archive/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Fast forward to the present day and Singapore is one of the biggest financial centers in the world.
Singapore —
Fast forward to the present day and Singapore is one of the biggest financial centers in the world.