1995 Edition
CIA World Factbook 1995 (Project Gutenberg)
Geography
Area
total area: 100 sq km land area: 100 sq km comparative area: about 0.6 times the size of Washington, DC
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 natural hazards: severe hurricanes (June to November); volcanic eruptions (there are seven active volcanoes on the island) international agreements: NA
International disputes
none
Irrigated land
NA sq km
Land boundaries
0 km
Land use
arable land: 20% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 10% forest and woodland: 40% other: 30%
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
negligible
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
15.5 births/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Death rate
9.81 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Ethnic divisions
black, Europeans
Infant mortality rate
11.69 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 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: 75.69 years male: 73.93 years female: 77.49 years (1995 est.)
Literacy
age 15 and over has ever attended school (1970) total population: 97% male: 97% female: 97%
Nationality
noun: Montserratian(s) adjective: Montserratian
Net migration rate
-2.65 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Population
12,738 (July 1995 est.)
Population growth rate
0.3% (1995 est.)
Religions
Anglican, Methodist, Roman Catholic, Pentecostal, Seventh-Day Adventist, other Christian denominations
Total fertility rate
1.99 children born/woman (1995 est.)
Government
Administrative divisions
3 parishes; Saint Anthony, Saint Georges, Saint Peter's
Capital
Plymouth
Constitution
present constitution came into force 19 December 1989
Digraph
MH
Diplomatic representation in US
none (dependent territory of the UK)
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 NA October 1991) cabinet: Executive Council; consists of the governor, the chief minister, three other ministries, the attorney-general, and the finance secretary
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)
Judicial branch
Supreme Court
Legal system
English common law and statute law
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
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)
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
dependent territory of the UK
US diplomatic representation
none (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 $3.2 million (1988 est.)
Currency
1 EC dollar (EC$) = 100 cents
Economic aid
recipient: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $90 million
Electricity
capacity: 5,271 kW production: 17 million kWh consumption per capita: 1,106 kWh (1993)
Exchange rates
East Caribbean dollars (EC$) per US$1 - 2.70 (fixed rate since 1976)
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
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 8.1% (1986); accounts for 10% of GDP
Industries
tourism; light manufacturing - rum, textiles, electronic appliances
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
2.8% (1992)
National product
GDP - purchasing power parity - $55.6 million (1993 est.)
National product per capita
$4,380 (1993 est.)
National product real growth rate
1% (1993 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
NA
Communications
Radio
broadcast stations: AM 8, FM 4, shortwave 0 radios: NA
Telephone system
3,000 telephones local: NA intercity: NA international: NA
Television
broadcast stations: 1 televisions: NA
Transportation
Airports
total: 1 with paved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 1
Highways
total: 280 km paved: 200 km unpaved: gravel, earth 80 km
Merchant marine
none
Ports
Plymouth
Railroads
0 km
Military and Security
Branches
Police Force
Note
defense is the responsibility of the UK ________________________________________________________________________ MOROCCO