1992 Edition
CIA World Factbook 1992 (Project Gutenberg)
Geography
Climate
tropical; little daily or seasonal temperature variation
Coastline
40 km
Comparative area
about 0.6 times the size of Washington, DC
Disputes
none
Environment
subject to severe hurricanes from June to November
Exclusive fishing zone
200 nm
Land area
100 km2
Land boundaries
none
Land use
arable land 20%; permanent crops 0%; meadows and pastures 10%; forest and woodland 40%; other 30%
Natural resources
negligible
Note
located 400 km southeast of Puerto Rico in the Caribbean Sea
Terrain
volcanic islands, mostly mountainous, with small coastal lowland
Territorial sea
3 nm
Total area
100 km2
People and Society
Birth rate
17 births/1,000 population (1992)
Death rate
10 deaths/1,000 population (1992)
Ethnic divisions
mostly black with a few Europeans
Infant mortality rate
11 deaths/1,000 live births (1992)
Labor force
5,100; 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.)
Languages
English
Life expectancy at birth
74 years male, 78 years female (1992)
Literacy
97% (male 97%, female 97%) age 15 and over having ever attended school (1970)
Nationality
noun - Montserratian(s); adjective - Montserratian
Net migration rate
-3 migrants/1,000 population (1992)
Organized labor
30% of labor force, three trade unions with 1,500 members (1984 est.)
Population
12,617 (July 1992), growth rate 0.4 (1992)
Religions
Anglican, Methodist, Roman Catholic, Pentecostal, Seventh-Day Adventist, other Christian denominations
Total fertility rate
2.2 children born/woman (1992)
Government
Administrative divisions
3 parishes; Saint Anthony, Saint Georges, Saint Peter
Capital
Plymouth
Chief of State
Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor David TAYLOR (since NA 1990)
Constitution
1 January 1960
Diplomatic representation
none (dependent territory of the UK)
Executive branch
monarch, governor, Executive Council (cabinet), chief minister
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
Head of Government
Chief Minister Reuben T. MEADE (since October 1991)
Independence
none (dependent territory of the UK)
Judicial branch
Supreme Court
Legal system
English common law and statute law
Legislative branch
unicameral Legislative Council
Legislative Council
last held on 8 October 1991; results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (11 total, 7 elected) NPP 4, NDP 1, PLM 1, independent 1
Long-form name
none
Member of
CARICOM, CDB, ECLAC (associate), ICFTU, OECS, WCL
National holiday
Celebration of the Birthday of the Queen (second Saturday of June)
Political parties and leaders
National Progressive Party (NPP) Reuben T. MEADE; People's Liberation Movement (PLM), Noel TUITT; National Development Party (NDP), Bertrand OSBORNE; Independent (IND), Ruby BRAMBLE
Suffrage
universal at age 18
Type
dependent territory of the UK
Economy
Agriculture
accounts for 4% of GDP; small-scale farming; food crops - tomatoes, onions, peppers; not self-sufficient in food, especially livestock products
Budget
revenues $12.1 million; expenditures $14.3 million, including capital expenditures of $3.2 million (1988)
Currency
East Caribbean dollar (plural - dollars); 1 EC dollar (EC$) = 100 cents
Economic aid
Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $90 million
Electricity
5,271 kW capacity; 12 million kWh produced, 960 kWh per capita (1991)
Exchange rates
East Caribbean dollars (EC$) per US$1 - 2.70 (fixed rate since 1976)
Exports
$2.3 million (f.o.b., 1988 est.) commodities: electronic parts, plastic bags, apparel, hot peppers, live plants, cattle partners: NA
External debt
$2.05 million (1987)
Fiscal year
1 April - 31 March
GDP
exchange rate conversion - $54.2 million, per capita $4,500 (1988); real growth rate 10% (1990 est.)
Imports
$30 million (c.i.f., 1988 est.) commodities: machinery and transportation equipment, foodstuffs, manufactured goods, fuels, lubricants, and related materials partners: NA
Industrial production
growth rate 8.1% (1986); accounts for 10% of GDP
Industries
tourism; light manufacturing - rum, textiles, electronic appliances
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
6.8% (1990)
Overview
The economy is small and open with economic activity centered on tourism and construction. Tourism is the most important sector and accounted for 20% of GDP in 1986. Agriculture accounted 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.
Unemployment rate
3.0% (1987)
Communications
Airports
1 with permanent-surface runways 1,036 m
Highways
280 km total; about 200 km paved, 80 km gravel and earth
Ports
Plymouth
Telecommunications
3,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 8 AM, 4 FM, 1 TV
Military and Security
Branches
Police Force
Note
defense is the responsibility of the UK