For such a small island, over 3.5 million people manage to squeeze in and produce a population density of around 6,000 people per square kilometer.

This ensures Singapore will remain a multi cultural melting pot and all this close existence may or may not help with the annual growth rate of 1.15% - you can decide that when you get here.

The population is made up of 76% Chinese, 15% Malay and 6% Indian, which leaves 3% ‘other’, which is the bit we fall into.

What we mean is that from the airplane it looks like an urban mass but once you get on the ground you will start to notice the differences.

Mixed in with the ultra-modern skyscrapers you'll find the architecture and influence of distinctly different cultures from days gone by.

There is amongst all the office towers and modern shopping malls, a very nostalgic air about the place.

You won’t see pith-helmeted Dr Livingstone types taking some of the locals outside for a damn good thrashing, but colonial roots are evident for all to see.

With the diversity in population comes also diversity in culture. While Singapore is an extremely modern, clean, technologically advanced city, it mirrors both traditional and contemporary culture.

A modern facility might house conventional pharmacies as well as herbalists selling ancient Chinese remedies.

Religions also reflect the different races that live here. Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism and Islam are all practiced here.

In fact, there are 8 (religious) public holidays here and way back when, each of the four religions were granted two days to nominate as public holidays.

Christianity chose Christmas Day and Good Friday, which means we now forego Easter Monday but get, for example, Deepavali and Hari Raya Haji off instead.

Today, about 78% of families in Singapore are made up of parents and children only. The average household size is four persons.

Most Singaporeans live in high-rise apartments or condominiums. Many of these are in large public housing developments known as housing estates created by the government through the Housing Development Board.

Community spirit is seen as very important. Each neighbourhood in Singapore has one or more community centres and housing estates have Residents' Committees.

The committees organize activities and community projects such as Neighbourhood Watch.

Arranged marriages are still common, especially among Indians and Malays. Young people may rely on parents or matchmakers to choose their future spouses.

Most couples have a civil ceremony at the Registry of Marriages, followed by a traditional wedding ceremony. Many couples postpone their wedding until they are sure of getting an apartment to live in.

Many women have careers and are not in a hurry to marry. However, single women cannot qualify for their own apartment from the Housing Development Board unless they are over 35.

Once married, most Singapore women usually take full responsibility for housework. A dramatic fall in the birth rate has changed the family planning policy from "Two is enough," to "Have three or more, if you can afford it."

Various financial and tax incentives are offered to parents to encourage them to have more children.

The traditional belief that a son must carry on the family name or business and take care of his parents when they are old is still strong.

Although this attitude is beginning to change, the birth of a male child brings a lot of happiness. Families who can afford it will celebrate with a feast.

Interracial marriages are quite common because many couples think of themselves as Singaporeans rather than belonging to different races.