1998 Edition
CIA World Factbook 1998 (Internet Archive)
Geography
Area
total: 100 sq km land: 100 sq km water: 0 sq km
Area-comparative
about 0.6 times the size of Washington, DC
Climate
tropical; little daily or seasonal temperature variation
Coastline
40 km
Elevation extremes
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Chances Peak 914 m
Environment-current issues
land erosion occurs on slopes that have been cleared for cultivation
Environment-international agreements
party to: NA signed, but not ratified: NA
Geographic coordinates
16 45 N, 62 12 W
Irrigated land
NA sq km
Land boundaries
0 km
Land use
arable land: 20% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 10% forests and woodland: 40% other: 30% (1993 est.)
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 hazards
severe hurricanes (June to November); volcanic eruptions (full-scale eruptions of the Soufriere Hills volcano occurred during 1996)
Natural resources
NEGL
Terrain
volcanic islands, mostly mountainous, with small coastal lowland
People and Society
Age structure
0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA
Birth rate
14.27 births/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Death rate
9.86 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Ethnic groups
black, white
Infant mortality rate
11.91 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.)
Languages
English
Life expectancy at birth
total population: 75.6 years male: 73.83 years female: 77.4 years (1998 est.)
Literacy
definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school total population: 97% male: 97% female: 97% (1970 est.)
Nationality
noun: Montserratian(s) adjective: Montserratian
Net migration rate
-2.12 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Population
12,828 (July 1998 est.) note: demographic figures include an estimated 8,000 refugees who left the island following the resumption of volcanic activity in July 1995
Population growth rate
0.23% (1998 est.)
Religions
Anglican, Methodist, Roman Catholic, Pentecostal, Seventh-Day Adventist, other Christian denominations
Total fertility rate
1.83 children born/woman (1998 est.)
Government
Administrative divisions
3 parishes; Saint Anthony, Saint Georges, Saint Peter's
Constitution
present constitution came into force 19 December 1989
Country name
conventional long form: none conventional short form: Montserrat
Data code
MH
Dependency status
dependent territory of the UK
Executive branch
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II of the UK (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 queen is a hereditary monarch; governor appointed by the queen; 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
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
Government type
NA
Independence
none (dependent territory of the UK)
International organization participation
Caricom, CDB, ECLAC (associate), ICFTU, Interpol (subbureau), OECS, WCL Diplomatic representation in the US: none (dependent territory of the UK) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (dependent territory of the UK)
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: National Progressive Party (NPP), Reuben T. MEADE; Movement for National Reconstruction (MNR), Percival Austin BRAMBLE; People's Progressive Alliance (PPA), Bertrand OSBORNE; NDP
Legal system
English common law and statute law
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
National capital
Plymouth (abandoned in 1997 due to volcanic activity)
National holiday
Celebration of the Birthday of the Queen (second Saturday of June)
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Economy
Agriculture-products
cabbages, carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, peppers; livestock products
Budget
revenues: $NA expenditures: $NA
Currency
1 EC dollar (EC$) = 100 cents
Debt-external
$10.2 million (December 1994)
Economic aid
$NA
Economy-overview
The economy of this volcanic island is small and open, with economic activity centered on tourism and related services. Tourism accounts for roughly one-quarter of Montserrat's national income. The island's main export is electronic components, which are mainly shipped to the US. The agriculture sector is small; cabbages, carrots, cucumbers, and onions are grown for the domestic market; additionally, some hot peppers and live plants are exported to the US and Europe. Volcanic activity in mid-1997 led to a substantial evacuation of the southern half of the island, including the capital, Plymouth. Volcanic activity since July 1995 has resulted in the departure of an estimated 8,000 people, mainly to Antigua and Guadeloupe.
Electricity-capacity
4,000 kW (1995)
Electricity-consumption per capita
1,178 kWh (1995)
Electricity-production
15 million kWh (1995)
Exchange rates
East Caribbean dollars (EC$) per US$1-2.7000 (fixed rate since 1976)
Exports
total value: $12.1 million (f.o.b., 1995 est.) commodities: electronic components, plastic bags, apparel, hot peppers, live plants, cattle partners: US, Ireland
Fiscal year
1 April-31 March Communications
GDP
purchasing power parity-$43 million (1996 est.)
GDP-composition by sector
agriculture: 4.8% industry: 18.4% services: 76.8% (1990 est.)
GDP-per capita
purchasing power parity-$5,000 (1996 est.)
GDP-real growth rate
-20.2% (1996 est.)
Imports
total value: $29.9 million (f.o.b., 1994 est.) 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 price index
6.2% (1996 est.)
Labor force
total: 4,521 (1992); note-later substantially lowered by flight of people from volcanic activity 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.)
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.)
Unemployment rate
6% (1995)
Transportation
Airports
1 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways: total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (1997 est.)
Highways
total: 269 km paved: 203 km unpaved: 66 km (1995) Ports and harbors: Plymouth (abandoned)
Merchant marine
none
Railways
0 km
Military and Security
Military branches
Police Force
Military-note
defense is the responsibility of the UK
Transnational Issues
Disputes-international
none