The Philippines, often described as the "Pearl of the Orient Seas" is an archipelagic state which is made up of more than 7,000 islands including 11 major islands. With a population which is approximately 90% Christian, it is the only predominantly Christian country in ASEAN. A blend of its own native lifestyle together with those of the U.S.A. and Europe, especially Spain, has produced today's unique Philippine culture. The key to economic development is to expand investment and trade aggressively. In addition to promoting the AFTA (ASEAN Free Trade Area) concept, which involves intra-regional economic cooperation, the Philippines is utilizing pro-active economic diplomacy for such matters as the concluding of investment protection agreements with interested nations and entities. Japan is an essential trading partner to the Philippines, second only to the U.S.A. Today, the Philippines' major export products, which had traditionally been seafood and bananas, are now replaced by manufactured products such as semiconductors.