Montserrat

NAIndependence none (overseas territory of the UK)

Montserrat as the 2000 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 99 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 (abandoned in 1997 due to volcanic activity

Position16 45 N, 62 12 W

Area100 sq km

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

Populationas each edition published it

6,409 people July 2000 est. · 12,467 in 1990

Population growth% a year

20.53% 2000 est. · 0.36% in 1993

Median ageyears

Not in this edition 27.8 yrs in 2003

Life expectancyyears at birth

77.96 years 2000 est. · 75.76 yrs in 1993

Fertility ratechildren per woman

1.85 children per woman 2000 est. · 2.2 in 1990

Infant mortalitydeaths per 1,000 live births

9.1 deaths per 1,000 live births 2000 est. · 9 in 1990

GDP per capitaeach edition's own dollars

Not in this edition $5,800 in 1993

GDP real growth% a year

-16% 1998 est. · 13.5% in 1993

Introduction

1 field

Background

Much of this island has been devastated and two-thirds of the population has fled abroad due to the eruption of the Soufriere Hills volcano that began on 18 July 1995.

Geography

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

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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 Peak (in the Soufriere Hills)lowest 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 1996-97)

Environment - current issues

land erosion occurs on slopes that have been cleared for cultivation

People

15 fields

Population

6,409

note: an estimated 8,000 refugees left the island following the resumption of volcanic activity in July 1995; some have returned (July 2000 est.)growth rate: 20.53% (2000 est.)

Per 1,000 population(2000 est.)

Birth

17.48Death

7.49Net migration

195.35

Male · female

TotalMale · femaleLife expectancy years (2000 est.)77.96

75.78 · 80.23

TotalMale · femaleLiteracy (1970 est.)97%

97% · 97%

MaleFemaleLiteracy definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school

Age structure

0-14 years:: 24.23% (male 778; female 775)
15-64 years:: 64.25% (male 1,969; female 2,149)
65 years and over:: 11.52% (male 395; female 343) (2000 est.)

Sex ratio

at birth:: 1.04 male(s)/female
under 15 years:: 1 male(s)/female
15-64 years:: 0.92 male(s)/female
65 years and over:: 1.15 male(s)/female
total population:: 0.96 male(s)/female (2000 est.)

Infant mortality rate

9.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2000 est.)

Nationality

noun:: Montserratian(s)
adjective:: Montserratian

Religions

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

Government

NA; Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor Anthony John ABBOTT (since NA September 1997); Chief Minister David BRANDT (since 22 August 1997)

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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

Capital

Plymouth (abandoned in 1997 due to volcanic activity; interim government buildings have been built at Brades, in the Carr's Bay/Little Bay vicinity at the northwest end of 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 (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor Anthony John ABBOTT (since NA September 1997)
head of government:: Chief Minister David BRANDT (since 22 August 1997)
cabinet:: Executive Council consists of the governor, the chief minister, three other ministers, the attorney general, and the finance secretary
elections:: the monarch is hereditary;
governor appointed by the monarch;
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

Movement for National Reconstruction or MNR [Percival Austin BRAMBLE];
National Development Party or NDP [leader NA];
National Progressive Party or NPP [Reuben T. MEADE];
People's Progressive Alliance or PPA [Bertrand OSBORNE]

International organization participation

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

Diplomatic representation in the US

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Diplomatic representation from the US

none (overseas 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

Severe volcanic activity, which began in July 1995, put a damper on this small, open economy throughout 1996-99.

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Real growth rate

-16%

(1998 est.)industrial production growth: NA%

Inflation, consumer prices

(1998)

Unemployment rate

20%

(1996 est.)

Labor force

4,521

(1992); note - recently lowered by flight of people from volcanic activity

GDP - composition by sector(1996 est.)

agriculture 5.4%industry 13.6%services 81% (1996 est.)

Budget

Revenues

$31.4 millionExpenditures

$31.6 million (1997 est.)

expenditures including capital expenditures of $8.4 million

Electricity

fossil fuel 100%hydro 0% · nuclear 0% · other 0%

Electricity production

10 million (1998)Electricity consumption

9 million (1998)

Severe volcanic activity, which began in July 1995, put a damper on this small, open economy throughout 1996-99. A catastrophic eruption in June 1997 closed the air and sea ports, causing further economic and social dislocation. Two-thirds of the 12,000 inhabitants fled the island.

Some began to return in 1998, but lack of housing limited the number. The agriculture sector continued to be affected by the lack of suitable land for farming and the destruction of crops. Construction was the dominant activity in 1997 and 1998. GDP declined again in 1998. Prospects for the economy depend largely on developments in relation to the volcano and on public sector construction activity. The UK committed about $100 million in 1996-98 to help reconstruct the economy and has programmed additional aid for 1999-2001.

$9.8 million (1995);
note - about $100 million (1996-98) in reconstruction aid from the UK;
Country Policy Plan (1999) is a three-year program for spending $122.8 million in British budgetary assistance