Montserrat

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

Montserrat as the 1996 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 81 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

Position16 45 N, 62 12 W

Area100 sq km

LocationCaribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, southeast of

Populationas each edition published it

12,771 people July 1996 est. · 12,467 in 1990

Population growth% a year

0.28% 1996 est. · 0.36% in 1993

Median ageyears

Not in this edition 27.8 yrs in 2003

Life expectancyyears at birth

75.65 years 1996 est. · 75.76 yrs in 1993

Fertility ratechildren per woman

1.93 children per woman 1996 est. · 2.2 in 1990

Infant mortalitydeaths per 1,000 live births

11.78 deaths per 1,000 live births 1996 est. · 9 in 1990

GDP per capitaeach edition's own dollars

$4,500 1994 est. · $5,800 in 1993

GDP real growth% a year

0.5% 1994 est. · 13.5% in 1993

Geography

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

14 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

Climate

tropical; little daily or seasonal temperature variation

Terrain

volcanic islands, mostly mountainous, with small coastal lowland

lowest point:: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point:: Chances Peak 914 m

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

12,771

(July 1996 est.)growth rate: 0.28% (1996 est.)

Per 1,000 population(1996 est.)

Birth

15.08Death

9.83Net migration

-2.47

Male · female(1996 est.)

TotalMale · femaleLife expectancy years75.65

73.89 · 77.46

TotalMale · femaleLiteracy97%

97% · 97%

MaleFemaleLiteracy age 15 and over has ever attended school (1970 est.)

Age structure

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

Sex ratio

at birth:: NA male(s)/female
under 15 years:: NA male(s)/female
15-64 years:: NA male(s)/female
65 years and over:: NA male(s)/female
all ages:: NA male(s)/female

Infant mortality rate

11.78 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Nationality

noun:: Montserratian(s)
adjective:: Montserratian

Religions

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

Government

Dependent territory of the UK; Queen ELIZABETH II (of the United Kingdom since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor Frank SAVAGE (since NA February 1993) was appointed by the queen; 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

Name of country

conventional long form:: none
conventional short form:: Montserrat

Data code

Type of government

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

Legal system

English common law and statute law

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch

chief of state:: Queen ELIZABETH II (of the United Kingdom since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor Frank SAVAGE (since NA February 1993) was appointed by the queen
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 branch

unicameral

Legislative Council

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

Judicial branch

Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (based in Saint Lucia)

Political parties and leaders

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

International organization participation

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 related services.

20 fields

GDP per capita, PPP

$4,500

(1994 est.)

Real growth rate

0.5%

(1994 est.)industrial production growth: NA%

Inflation, consumer prices

9.6%

(1994)

Labor force

5,100

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.)

GDP composition by sector(1990 est.)

agriculture 4.8%industry 18.4%services 76.8% (1990 est.)

Budget

Revenues

$15.7 millionExpenditures

$15.6 million (1994)

expenditures including capital expenditures of $NA

Installed generating capacity, 5,271 kW

Electricity production

17 millionElectricity consumption per capita

1,106 (1993)

Economic overview

The economy is small and open, with economic activity centered on tourism and related services. Tourism accounts for roughly one-quarter of Montserrat's national income. The island's main export is electronic components which are mainly shipped to the US. The agriculture sector is small;

cabbages, carrots, cucumbers, and onions are grown for the domestic market; additionally, some hot peppers and live plants are exported to the US and Europe. The threat of a volcanic eruption in late 1995 led to the repeated evacuation of Montserrat's capital, Plymouth, and deep ash from the volcano destroyed much of the yearend crops.

As a result, production in 1995 dropped precipitously. The likely slow recovery of tourism and the continued danger of an eruption dim the prospects for rapid recovery in 1996.