The Philippines, an archipelago of 7,107 islands, (about 2,000 of which are inhabited) with a land area of 115,600 square miles, has a population of 42 million. Some 87 major dialects are spoken all over the islands. English and Filipino are the official languages with English as the medium of instruction in higher education. According to the latest census, the literacy rate is 83.4 per cent. Agriculture constitutes the largest single sector of the economy. The Philippines has a total labor force of 14.2 million.Filipino culture is a blend of East and West, although foundationally and originally Malay. Its Eastern heritage – the result of centuries of interaction with neighboring countries of Asia – is a synthesis of three mainstreams: the Malay, Chinese and Hindu. Its Western cultural traits are the result of her colonization by two Western powers: Spain and the United States.