Singaporeans or Singaporean people (Malay: Orang Singapura; Chinese: 新加坡人, pinyin: Xīnjiāpō Rén; Tamil: சிங்கப்பூரரும், t. Ciṅkappūrarum) refers to people whom are citizens or identify with the city-state of Singapore. Singapore is a multi-racial and multi-cultural country, with Chinese, Malays and Indians historically making up the majority of the population. The vast majority of Singaporeans descend from the people of China, India and the Malay Archipelago. In 1819, the port of Singapore was established by Sir Stamford Raffles, who opened the port to free trade and free immigration on the south coast of the island. Many immigrants from the region settled in Singapore. By 1827, the population of the island was composed of people from various ethnic groups.