Montserrat

dependent territory of the UKIndependence none (dependent territory of the UK)

Montserrat as the 1995 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 75 fields, one of 36 editions from 1990 to 2025.

field in that editiontext changed from the edition beforenot in that editionthe open editionEach field below ends in its editions, 1990 to 2025. Point at a year above to follow it down.

CapitalPlymouth
Area100 sq km
LocationCaribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, southeast of Puerto
Populationas each edition published it
12,738 people July 1995 est. · 12,467 in 1990
Population growth% a year
0.3% 1995 est. · 0.36% in 1993
Median ageyears
Not in this edition 27.8 yrs in 2003
Life expectancyyears at birth
75.69 years 1995 est. · 75.76 yrs in 1993
Fertility ratechildren per woman
1.99 children per woman 1995 est. · 2.2 in 1990
Infant mortalitydeaths per 1,000 live births
11.69 deaths per 1,000 live births 1995 est. · 9 in 1990
GDP per capitaeach edition's own dollars
$4,380 1993 est. · $5,800 in 1993
GDP real growth% a year
1% 1993 est. · 13.5% in 1993

Geography

Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, southeast of Puerto | Rico

13 fields

Land useshare of 100 sq km

arable land 20%permanent crops 0%meadows and pastures 10%forest and woodland 40%other 30%
Area
100sq km
land area: 100 sq kmcomparative area: about 0.6 times the size of Washington, DC
Coastline
40km
land boundaries: 0 kmexclusive fishing zone: 200 nmterritorial sea: 3 nm

Location

Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, southeast of Puerto Rico

Map references

Central America and the Caribbean

Climate

tropical; little daily or seasonal temperature variation

Terrain

volcanic islands, mostly mountainous, with small coastal lowland

Environment

current issues:
land erosion occurs on slopes that have been cleared for cultivation
natural hazards:
severe hurricanes (June to November); volcanic eruptions (there are seven active volcanoes on the island)
international agreements:
NA

People

15 fields
Population
12,738
(July 1995 est.)growth rate: 0.3% (1995 est.)

Per 1,000 population(1995 est.)

Birth
15.5Death
9.81Net migration
-2.65

Male · female(1995 est.)

TotalMale · femaleLife expectancy years75.69
73.93 · 77.49
TotalMale · femaleLiteracy97%
97% · 97%
MaleFemaleLiteracy age 15 and over has ever attended school (1970)
Labor force
5,100
More
by occupation: community, social, and personal services 40.5%, construction 13.5%, trade, restaurants, and hotels 12.3%, manufacturing 10.5%, agriculture, forestry, and fishing 8.8%, other 14.4% (1983 est.)

Age structure

0-14 years:
NA
15-64 years:
NA
65 years and over:
NA

Infant mortality rate

11.69 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.99 children born/woman (1995 est.)

Nationality

noun:
Montserratian(s)
adjective:
Montserratian

Ethnic divisions

black, Europeans

Religions

Anglican, Methodist, Roman Catholic, Pentecostal, Seventh-Day Adventist, other Christian denominations

Languages

English

Government

Dependent territory of the UK; Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor Frank SAVAGE (since NA February 1993); Chief Minister Reuben T. MEADE (since NA October 1991)

19 fields

Legislature, 7 seatsone dot, one seat

(11 total, 7 elected) NPP 4NDP 1PLM 1independent 1

Names

conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
Montserrat

Type

dependent territory of the UK

Capital

Plymouth

Administrative divisions

3 parishes; Saint Anthony, Saint Georges, Saint Peter's

Independence

none (dependent territory of the UK)

National holiday

Celebration of the Birthday of the Queen (second Saturday of June)

Constitution

present constitution came into force 19 December 1989

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch

chief of state:
Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor Frank SAVAGE (since NA February 1993)
head of government:
Chief Minister Reuben T. MEADE (since NA October 1991)
cabinet:
Executive Council; consists of the governor, the chief minister, three other ministries, the attorney-general, and the finance secretary

Legislative Council

  • elections last held 8 October 1991;
  • results - percent of vote by party NA;
  • seats - (11 total, 7 elected) NPP 4, NDP 1, PLM 1, independent 1

Judicial branch

Supreme Court

Political parties and leaders

  • National Progressive Party (NPP) Reuben T. MEADE;
  • People's Liberation Movement (PLM), Noel TUITT;
  • National Development Party (NDP), Bertrand OSBORNE

Member of

CARICOM, CDB, ECLAC (associate), ICFTU, INTERPOL (subbureau), OECS, WCL

Diplomatic representation in US

none (dependent territory of the UK)

US diplomatic representation

none (dependent territory of the UK)

Flag

  • blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Montserratian coat of arms centered in the outer half of the flag;
  • the coat of arms features a woman standing beside a yellow harp with her arm around a black cross

Economy

The economy is small and open with economic activity | centered on tourism and construction.

18 fields
GDP per capita, PPP
$4,380
(1993 est.)
Real growth rate
1%
(1993 est.)industrial production growth: growth rate 8.1% (1986); accounts for 10% of GDP
External debt
$2.05million
(1987)

Budget

Revenues
$12.1 millionExpenditures
$14.3 million (1988 est.)
expenditures including capital expenditures of $3.2 million

Installed generating capacity, 5,271 kW

Electricity production
17 millionElectricity consumption per capita
1,106 (1993)

Overview

The economy is small and open with economic activity centered on tourism and construction. Tourism is the most important sector and accounts for roughly one-fifth of GDP. Agriculture accounts for about 4% of GDP and industry 10%. The economy is heavily dependent on imports, making it vulnerable to fluctuations in world prices. Exports consist mainly of electronic parts sold to the US.

National product

GDP - purchasing power parity - $55.6 million (1993 est.)

Exports

$2.8 million (f.o.b., 1992)

commodities:
electronic parts, plastic bags, apparel, hot peppers, live plants, cattle
partners:
NA

Imports

$80.6 million (f.o.b., 1992)

commodities:
machinery and transportation equipment, foodstuffs, manufactured goods, fuels, lubricants, and related materials
partners:
NA

Industries

tourism; light manufacturing - rum, textiles, electronic appliances

Agriculture

  • accounts for 4% of GDP;
  • small-scale farming;
  • food crops - tomatoes, onions, peppers;
  • not self-sufficient in food, especially livestock products

Economic aid

recipient: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $90 million

Currency

1 EC dollar (EC$) = 100 cents

Exchange rates

East Caribbean dollars (EC$) per US$1 - 2.70 (fixed rate since 1976)

Fiscal year

1 April - 31 March

Transportation

5 fields

Airports by runway lengthpaved left, unpaved right · 1 in all

1
914 to 1,523 m
PavedUnpaved

Networkskm

Highways
280Railroads
0
Highways: paved: 200 km · unpaved: gravel, earth 80 km

Highways

total:
280 km
paved:
200 km
unpaved:
gravel, earth 80 km

Ports

Plymouth

Communications

3 fields

Telephone system

3,000 telephones

local:
NA
intercity:
NA
international:
NA

Radio

broadcast stations:
AM 8, FM 4, shortwave 0
radios:
NA

Television

broadcast stations:
1
televisions:
NA

Defense Forces

Police Force

2 fields

Branches

Police Force

Note

defense is the responsibility of the UK MOROCCO

Cite this entry

Central Intelligence Agency. “Montserrat.” The World Factbook 1995. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/montserrat/1995.