1993 Edition
CIA World Factbook 1993 (Project Gutenberg)
Geography
Area
total area: 100 km2 land area: 100 km2 comparative area: about 0.6 times the size of Washington, DC
Climate
tropical; little daily or seasonal temperature variation
Coastline
40 km
Environment
subject to severe hurricanes from June to November
International disputes
none
Irrigated land
NA km2
Land boundaries
0 km
Land use
arable land: 20% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 10% forest and woodland: 40% other: 30%
Location
in the eastern Caribbean Sea, about 400 km southeast of Puerto Rico
Map references
Central America and the Caribbean
Maritime claims
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 3 nm
Natural resources
negligible
Note
located 400 km east southeast of Puerto Rico in the Caribbean Sea
Terrain
volcanic islands, mostly mountainous, with small coastal lowland
People and Society
Birth rate
16.35 births/1,000 population (1993 est.)
Death rate
9.77 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.)
Ethnic divisions
black, Europeans
Infant mortality rate
11.51 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.)
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.)
Languages
English
Life expectancy at birth
total population: 75.76 years male: 74 years female: 77.56 years (1993 est.)
Literacy
age 15 and over having ever attended school (1970) total population: 97% male: 97% female: 97%
Nationality
noun: Montserratian(s) adjective: Montserratian
Net migration rate
-3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.)
Population
12,661 (July 1993 est.)
Population growth rate
0.36% (1993 est.)
Religions
Anglican, Methodist, Roman Catholic, Pentecostal, Seventh-Day Adventist, other Christian denominations
Total fertility rate
2.11 children born/woman (1993 est.)
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
Digraph
MH
Diplomatic representation in US
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
Member of
CARICOM, CDB, ECLAC (associate), ICFTU, OECS, WCL
Names
conventional long form: none conventional short form: Montserrat
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
18 years of age; universal
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 $3.2 million (1988)
Currency
1 EC dollar (EC$) = 100 cents
Economic aid
Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $90 million
Electricity
5,271 kW capacity; 12 million kWh produced, 950 kWh per capita (1992)
Exchange rates
East Caribbean dollars (EC$) per US$1 - 2.70 (fixed rate since 1976)
Exports
$1.6 million (f.o.b., 1989) 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
Imports
$31.0 million (c.i.f., 1989) 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)
9% (1991)
National product
GDP - exchange rate conversion - $73 million (1990 est.)
National product per capita
$5,800 (1990 est.)
National product real growth rate
13.5% (1990 est.)
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.
Unemployment rate
3% (1987)
Communications
Airports
total: 1 usable: 1 with permanent-surface runways 1,036 m: 1 with runways over 3,659 m: with runways 2,440-3,659 m: with runways 1,220-2,439 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