Montserrat

NAIndependence none (dependent territory of the UK)

Montserrat as the 1997 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 88 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 Puerto

Populationas each edition published it

12,800 people July 1997 est. · 12,467 in 1990

Population growth% a year

0.23% 1997 est. · 0.36% in 1993

Median ageyears

Not in this edition 27.8 yrs in 2003

Life expectancyyears at birth

75.62 years 1997 est. · 75.76 yrs in 1993

Fertility ratechildren per woman

1.86 children per woman 1997 est. · 2.2 in 1990

Infant mortalitydeaths per 1,000 live births

11.87 deaths per 1,000 live births 1997 est. · 9 in 1990

GDP per capitaeach edition's own dollars

$4,360 1995 est. · $5,800 in 1993

GDP real growth% a year

-2.9% 1995 est. · 13.5% in 1993

Geography

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

17 fields

Land useshare of 100 sq km

arable land 20%permanent crops 0%permanent pastures 10%forests and woodland 40%other 30% (1993 est.)

Area

100sq km

land: 100 sq kmwater: 0 sq kmabout 0.6 times the size of Washington, DC

Coastline

40km

land boundaries: 0 kmexclusive fishing zone: 200 nmterritorial sea: 3 nm

Highest point

914m

Chances Peaklowest point : Caribbean Sea 0 m

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

Natural hazards

severe hurricanes (June to November); volcanic eruptions (full-scale eruptions of the Soufriere Hills volcano occurred during 1996)

Environment - current issues

land erosion occurs on slopes that have been cleared for cultivation

Environment - international agreements

party to:: NA
signed, but not ratified :: NA

People

15 fields

Population

12,800

(July 1997 est.)growth rate: 0.23% (1997 est.)

Per 1,000 population(1997 est.)

Birth

14.47Death

9.85Net migration

-2.3

Literacy

97%

definition : age 15 and over has ever attended schoolmale: 97%female: 97% (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
total population:: NA male(s)/female

Infant mortality rate

11.87 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

total population:: 75.62 years
male:: 73.85 years
female :: 77.42 years (1997 est.)

Nationality

noun:: Montserratian(s)
adjective:: Montserratian

Religions

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

Government

NA; Queen ELIZABETH II of the UK (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor Frank J. SAVAGE (since NA February 1993)

19 fields

Legislative Council, 7 seats, elected 11 November 1996one dot, one seat

PPA 2MNR 2NPP 1independent 2

Country name

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

Administrative divisions

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

National holiday

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

Constitution

present constitution came into force 19 December 1989

Executive branch

chief of state:: Queen ELIZABETH II of the UK (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor Frank J. SAVAGE (since NA February 1993)
head of government :: Chief Minister Bertrand OSBORNE (since 13 November 1996)
cabinet:: Executive Council consists of the governor, the chief minister, three other ministries, the attorney general, and the finance secretary
elections:: the queen is a hereditary monarch;
governor appointed by the queen;
following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party usually becomes chief minister;
note: as a result of the last election, a coalition party was formed between NPP, NDP, and one of the independent candidates

Legislative branch

unicameral Legislative Council (11 seats, 7 popularly elected; members serve five-year terms)

elections:: last held 11 November 1996 (next to be held by NA 2001)
election results:: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PPA 2, MNR 2, NPP 1, independent 2

Judicial branch

Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (based in Saint Lucia); one judge of the Supreme Court is a resident of the islands and presides over the High Court

Political parties and leaders

National Progressive Party (NPP), Reuben T. MEADE;
Movement for National Reconstruction (MNR), Percival Austin BRAMBLE;
People's Progressive Alliance (PPA), Bertrand OSBORNE

International organization participation

Caricom, CDB, ECLAC (associate), ICFTU, Interpol (subbureau), OECS, WCL

Diplomatic representation in the US

none (dependent territory of the UK)

Diplomatic representation from the US

none (dependent territory of the UK)

Flag description

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 of this volcanic island is small and | open, with economic activity centered on tourism and related services. | Tourism accounts for roughly one-quarter of Montserrat's national | income.

22 fields

Real growth rate

-2.9%

(1995 est.)industrial production growth: NA%

Inflation, consumer prices

(1995 est.)

Unemployment rate

(1995)

Labor force

4,521

(1992)

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.)

Economy - overview

The economy of this volcanic island 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. Volcanic activity 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.

These disruptions, compounded by hurricanes, caused production in 1995 to drop precipitously. The likely slow recovery of tourism and the continued danger of an eruption dimmed the prospects for rapid recovery in 1996.

revenues:: NA
expenditures :: NA

total value:: $12.1 million (f.o.b., 1995 est.)
commodities :: electronic components, plastic bags, apparel, hot peppers, live plants, cattle
partners:: US, Ireland

Imports

total value:: $29.9 million (f.o.b., 1994 est.)
commodities :: machinery and transportation equipment, foodstuffs, manufactured goods, fuels, lubricants, and related materials
partners:: NA