Montserrat | (Dependent territory of the U.K.) |
Geography | People | Government | Economy | Transport | Communication | Defense | History | Travel
GEOGRAPHY
Location
Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, southeast of Puerto Rico
Area
- Total area: 100 sq km
- Land area: 100 sq km
- Comparative area: about 0.6 times the size of Washington, DC
Land Boundaries
0 km
Coastline
40 km
Maritime Claims
- Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
- Territorial sea: 3 nm
International Disputes
None
Climate
Tropical; little daily or seasonal temperature variation
Terrain
Volcanic islands, mostly mountainous, with small coastal lowland
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Chances Peak 914 m
Natural Resources
Land Use
- Arable land: 20%
- Permanent crops: 0%
- Meadows and pastures: 10%
- Forest and woodland: 40%
- Other: 30%
Irrigated Land
NA
Environment
- Current issues: land erosion occurs on slopes that have been cleared for cultivation
- Natural hazards: severe hurricanes (June to November); volcanic eruptions (there are seven active volcanoes on the island)
- International agreements: NA
PEOPLE
Population
12,771 (July 1996 est.)
12,738 (July 1995 est.)
Age Structure
0-14 Years
NA
15-64 Years
NA
65 Years and Over
NA
Population Growth Rate
0.28% (1996 est.)
0.3% (1995 est.)
Birth Rate
15.08 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
15.5 births/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Death Rate
9.83 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
9.81 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Net Migration Rate
-2.47 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
-2.65 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Infant Mortality Rate
11.78 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
11.69 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.)
Life Expectancy at Birth
- Total population: 75.65 years (1996 est.); 75.69 years (1995 est.)
- Male: 73.89 years (1996 est.); 73.93 years (1995 est.)
- Female: 77.46 years (1996 est.); 77.49 years (1995 est.)
Total Fertility Rate
1.93 children born/woman (1996 est.)
1.99 children born/woman (1995 est.)
Nationality
- Noun: Montserratian(s)
- Adjective: Montserratian
Ethnic Divisions
Religions
Languages
English
Literacy
Age 15 and over that has ever attended school (1970)
- Total population: 97%
- Male: 97%
- Female: 97%
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.)
GOVERNMENT
Names
- Conventional long form: none
- Conventional short form: Montserrat (Pronunciation)
Digraph
MH
Type
Dependent territory of the U.K.
Capital
Plymouth
Administrative Divisions
3 parishes; Saint Anthony, Saint Georges, Saint Peter's
Independence
None (dependent territory of the U.K.)
National Holiday
Celebration of the Birthday of the Queen (second Saturday of June)
Constitution
Present constitution came into force 19 December 1989
Legal System
English common law and statute law
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Executive Branch
- 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)
- Cabinet: Executive Council; consists of the governor, the chief minister, three other ministries, the attorney-general, and the finance secretary
Legislative Branch
Unicameral
Legislative Council
Elections last held 8 October 1991; results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (11 total, 7 elected) NPP 4, NDP 1, PLM 1, independent 1
Judicial Branch
Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (based in Saint Lucia)
Political Parties and Leaders
National Progressive Party (NPP) Reuben T. MEADE; People's Liberation Movement (PLM), Noel TUITT; National Development Party (NDP), Bertrand OSBORNE
Member of
CARICOM, CDB, ECLAC (associate), ICFTU, INTERPOL (subbureau), OECS, WCL
Flag
Blue with the flag of the U.K. 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
ECONOMY
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 and 1997.
National Product
GDP - purchasing power parity - $55.6 million (1994 est.); $55.6 million (1993 est.)
National Product Real Growth Rate
0.5% (1994 est.)
1% (1993 est.)
National Product Per Capita
$4,380 (1993 est.)
$4,500 (1994 est.)
Inflation Rate (consumer Prices)
2.8% (1992)
9.6% (1994)
Unemployment Rate
NA
Budget
- Revenues: $15.7 million (1994); $12.1 million (1988)
- Expenditures: $15.6 million including capital expenditures of $NA (1994); $14.3 million, including capital expenditures of $3.2 million (1988 est.)
Exports
$2.3 million (f.o.b., 1994)
$2.8 million (f.o.b., 1992)
Commodities:
- Electronic components
- Plastic bags
- Apparel
- Hot peppers
- Live plants
- Cattle
Partners:
Imports
$80.6 million (f.o.b., 1992)
Commodities:
- Machinery and transportation equipment
- Foodstuffs
- Manufactured goods
- Fuels
- Lubricants and related materials
Partners:
External Debt
$10.2 million (December 1994)
$2.05 million (1987)
Industrial Production
Growth rate 8.1% (1986); accounts for 18.4% of GDP
Electricity
- Capacity: 5,271 kW
- Production: 17 million kWh
- Consumption per capita: 1,106 kWh (1993)
Industries
- Tourism
- Light manufacturing - rum, textiles, electronic appliances
Agriculture
Accounts for 4.8% of GDP; small-scale farming; food crops - tomatoes, onions, peppers; not self-sufficient in food, especially livestock products
Economic Aid
- Recipient: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $90 million
Currency
1 EC dollar (EC$) = 100 cents
East Caribbean dollars (EC$) per US$1 - 2.70 (fixed rate since 1976)
Fiscal Year
1 April - 31 March
TRANSPORTATION
Railroads
0 km
Highways
- Total: 280 km
- Paved: 200 km
- Unpaved: 80 km
Ports
Plymouth
Merchant Marine
None
Airports
- Total: 1
- With paved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 1
COMMUNICATIONS
Telephone System
3,000 telephones
- Domestic: NA
- International: NA
Radio
- Broadcast stations: AM 8, FM 4, shortwave 0
- Radios: 6,000 (1992 est.)
Television
- Broadcast stations: 1
- Televisions: 2,000 (1992 est.)
DEFENSE FORCES
Branches
Police Force
Note: Defense is the responsibility of the U.K.
History
World Atlas
