1994 Edition

Administrative divisions

3 parishes; Saint Anthony, Saint Georges, Saint Peter

Affiliation

(dependent territory of the UK)

Agriculture

accounts for 4% of GDP; small-scale farming; food crops - tomatoes, onions, peppers; not self-sufficient in food, especially livestock products

Airports

total: 1 usable: 1 with permanent-surface runways: 1 with runways over 3,659 m: with runways 2,440-3,659 m: with runways 1,220-2,439 m:

Area

total area: 100 sq km land area: 100 sq km comparative area: about 0.6 times the size of Washington, DC

Birth rate

15.93 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)

Branches

Police Force

Budget

revenues: $12.1 million expenditures: $14.3 million, including capital expenditures of $3.2 million (1988 est.)

Capital

Plymouth

Climate

tropical; little daily or seasonal temperature variation

Coastline

40 km

Constitution

present constitution came into force 19 December 1989

Currency

1 EC dollar (EC$) = 100 cents

Death rate

9.79 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)

Digraph

MH

Diplomatic representation in US

none (dependent territory of the UK)

Economic aid

recipient: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $90 million

Electricity

capacity: 5,271 kW production: 12 million kWh consumption per capita: 950 kWh (1992)

Environment

current issues: NA natural hazards: subject to severe hurricanes (June to November) international agreements: NA

Ethnic divisions

black, Europeans

Exchange rates

East Caribbean dollars (EC$) per US$1 - 2.70 (fixed rate since 1976)

Executive branch

chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor Frank SAVAGE (since NA February 1993) head of government: Chief Minister Reuben T. MEADE (since October 1991) cabinet: Executive Council; consists of the governor, the chief minister, three other ministries, the attorney-general, and the finance secretary

Exports

$2.8 million (f.o.b., 1992) 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

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

Highways

total: 280 km paved: 200 km unpaved: gravel, earth 80 km

Imports

$80.6 million (f.o.b.,1992) commodities: machinery and transportation equipment, foodstuffs, manufactured goods, fuels, lubricants, and related materials partners: NA

Independence

none (dependent territory of the UK)

Industrial production

growth rate 8.1% (1986); accounts for 10% of GDP

Industries

tourism; light manufacturing - rum, textiles, electronic appliances

Infant mortality rate

11.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

2.8% (1992)

International disputes

none

Irrigated land

NA sq km

Judicial branch

Supreme Court

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.)

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

arable land: 20% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 10% forest and woodland: 40% other: 30%

Languages

English

Legal system

English common law and statute law

Legislative branch

unicameral

Legislative Council

elections 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

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 75.73 years male: 73.96 years female: 77.53 years (1994 est.)

Literacy

age 15 and over having ever attended school (1970) total population: 97% male: 97% female: 97%

Location

Caribbean, 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

Member of

CARICOM, CDB, ECLAC (associate), ICFTU, INTERPOL (subbureau), OECS, WCL

Names

conventional long form: none conventional short form: Montserrat

National holiday

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

National product

GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $53.7 million (1992 est.)

National product per capita

$4,300 (1992 est.)

National product real growth rate

4.3% (1992 est.)

Nationality

noun: Montserratian(s) adjective: Montserratian

Natural resources

negligible

Net migration rate

-2.83 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)

Note

located 400 km east southeast of Puerto Rico in the Caribbean Sea

defense is the responsibility of the UK

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.

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

Population

12,701 (July 1994 est.)

Population growth rate

0.33% (1994 est.)

Ports

Plymouth

Religions

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

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Telecommunications

3,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 8 AM, 4 FM, 1 TV

Terrain

volcanic islands, mostly mountainous, with small coastal lowland

Total fertility rate

2.05 children born/woman (1994 est.)

Type

dependent territory of the UK

Unemployment rate

3% (1987)

US diplomatic representation

none (dependent territory of the UK)