1996 Edition

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

Location

16 45 N, 62 12 W -- Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, southeast of Puerto Rico Flag ----

Area

comparative area

about 0.6 times the size of Washington, DC

land area

100 sq km

total area

100 sq km

Climate

tropical; little daily or seasonal temperature variation

Coastline

40 km

Environment

current issues

land erosion occurs on slopes that have been cleared for cultivation

international agreements

NA

natural hazards

severe hurricanes (June to November); volcanic eruptions (there are seven active volcanoes on the island)

Geographic coordinates

16 45 N, 62 12 W

International disputes

none

Irrigated land

NA sq km

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

arable land

20%

forest and woodland

40%

meadows and pastures

10%

other

30%

permanent crops

0%

Location

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

Map references

Central America and the Caribbean

Maritime claims

exclusive fishing zone

200 nm

territorial sea

3 nm

Natural resources

NEGL

Terrain

volcanic islands, mostly mountainous, with small coastal lowland

highest point

Chances Peak 914 m

lowest point

Caribbean Sea 0 m

Age structure

0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA

Birth rate

15.08 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Death rate

9.83 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Ethnic divisions

black, Europeans

Infant mortality rate

11.78 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Languages

English

Life expectancy at birth

female

77.46 years (1996 est.)

male

73.89 years

total population

75.65 years

Literacy

age 15 and over has ever attended school (1970 est.)

female

97%

male

97%

total population

97%

Nationality

adjective

Montserratian

noun

Montserratian(s)

Net migration rate

-2.47 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Population

12,771 (July 1996 est.)

Population growth rate

0.28% (1996 est.)

Religions

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

Sex ratio

all ages

NA male(s)/female

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 fertility rate

1.93 children born/woman (1996 est.)

Administrative divisions

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

Capital

Plymouth

Constitution

present constitution came into force 19 December 1989

Data code

MH

Diplomatic representation in US

none (dependent territory of the UK)

Executive branch

cabinet

Executive Council consists of the governor, the chief minister, three other ministries, the attorney general, and the finance secretary

chief of state

Queen ELIZABETH II (of the United Kingdom since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor Frank SAVAGE (since NA February 1993) was appointed by the queen

head of government

Chief Minister Reuben T. MEADE (since NA October 1991)

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

Independence

none (dependent territory of the UK)

International organization participation

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

Judicial branch

Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (based in Saint Lucia)

Legal system

English common law and statute law

Legislative branch

unicameral

Legislative Council

elections last held 8 October 1991 (next to be held NA); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (11 total, 7 elected) NPP 4, NDP 1, PLM 1, independent 1

Name of country

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

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Type of government

dependent territory of the UK

US diplomatic representation

none (dependent territory of the UK)

Agriculture

tomatoes, onions, peppers; livestock products

Budget

expenditures

$15.6 million including capital expenditures of $NA (1994)

revenues

$15.7 million

Currency

1 EC dollar (EC$) = 100 cents

Economic aid

$NA

Economic overview

The economy 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. The threat of a volcanic eruption 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. As a result, production in 1995 dropped precipitously. The likely slow recovery of tourism and the continued danger of an eruption dim the prospects for rapid recovery in 1996.

Electricity

capacity

5,271 kW

consumption per capita

1,106 kWh (1993)

production

17 million kWh

Exchange rates

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

Exports

$2.3 million (f.o.b., 1994)

commodities

electronic components, plastic bags, apparel, hot peppers, live plants, cattle

partners

US, Ireland

External debt

$10.2 million (December 1994)

Fiscal year

1 April - 31 March

GDP

purchasing power parity - $55.6 million (1994 est.)

GDP composition by sector

agriculture

4.8%

industry

18.4%

services

76.8% (1990 est.)

GDP per capita

$4,500 (1994 est.)

GDP real growth rate

0.5% (1994 est.)

Imports

$80.6 million (f.o.b., 1992)

commodities

machinery and transportation equipment, foodstuffs, manufactured goods, fuels, lubricants, and related materials

partners

NA

Industrial production growth rate

NA%

Industries

tourism, rum, textiles, electronic appliances

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

9.6% (1994)

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.)

Unemployment rate

NA%

Branches

Police Force

Defense note

defense is the responsibility of the UK

Radio broadcast stations

AM 8, FM 4, shortwave 0

Radios

6,000 (1992 est.)

Telephone system

domestic

NA

international

NA

Telephones

3,000

Television broadcast stations

1

Televisions

2,000 (1992 est.) Defense

Airports

total

1

with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m

1 (1995 est.)

Highways

paved

200 km

total

280 km

unpaved

80 km

Merchant marine

none

Ports

Plymouth

Railways

0 km