1989 Edition
CIA World Factbook 1989 (Internet Archive)
Geography
Climate
Mediterranean, becoming more extreme in the interior
Coastline
1,835 km
Comparative area
slightly larger than California
Contiguous zone
24 nm
Continental shelf
200 meters or to depth of exploitation
Disputes
claims and administers Western Sahara, but sovereignty is unresolved; armed conflict in Western Sahara; Spain controls two coastal presidios or places of sovereignty (Ceuta, Melilla)
Environment
northern mountains geologically unstable and subject to earthquakes; desertification
Extended economic zone
200 nm
Labor force
5,100; 40.5% community, social, and personal services, 13.5% construction, 12.3% trade, restaurants, and hotels, 10.5% manufacturing, 8.8% agriculture, forestry, and fishing, 14.4% other (1983 est.)
Land boundaries
2,002 km total; Algeria 1,559 km. Western Sahara 443 km
Land use
18% arable land; 1% permanent crops; 28% meadows and pastures; 12% forest and woodland; 41% other; includes 1% irrigated
Literacy
77%
Natural resources
phosphates, iron ore, manganese, lead, zinc, fish, salt
Note
strategic location along Strait of
Organized labor
30% of labor force, three trade unions with 1,500 members (1984 est.)
Terrain
mostly mountains with rich coastal plains
Territorial sea
1 2 nm
Total area
446,550 km2; land area: 446,300 km2
Government
Administrative divisions
3 parishes; Saint Anthony, Saint Georges, Saint Peter
Capital
Plymouth
Communists
probably none
Constitution
1 January 1960
Diplomatic representation
none (colony of the UK)
Elections
Legislative Council — last held on 25 August 1987 (next to be held NA 1992); results — percent of vote by party NA; seats— (1 1 total, 7 elected) PLM 4, NDP 2, POP 1
Executive branch
monarch, governor, Executive Council (cabinet), chief minister
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 (colony of the UK)
Judicial branch
Supreme Court
Leaders
Chief of State— Quern ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor Christopher J. TURNER (since 1987); Head of Government — Chief Minister John A. OSBORNE (since 1978) Political parties and leaders: People's Liberation Movement (PLM), John Osborne; Progressive Democratic Party (POP), Howell Bramble; United National Front (UNF), Dr. George Irish; National Development Party (NDP), Bertrand Osborne
Legal system
English common law and statute law
Legislative branch
unicameral Legislative Council
Long-form name
none
National holiday
Celebration of the Birthday of the Queen (second Saturday of June)
Suffrage
universal at age 18
Type
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
Aid
NA
Budget
revenues $10.0 million; expenditures $9.4 million, including capital expenditures of $3.2 million (1987)
Currency
East Caribbean dollar (plural — dollars); 1 EC dollar (EC$) = 100 cents
Electricity
5,000 kW capacity; 12 million kWh produced, 930 kWh per capita (1989)
Exchange rates
East Caribbean dollars (EC$) per US$1— 2.70 (fixed rate since 1976)
Exports
$3.0 million (f.o.b., 1987); commodities— plastic bags, electronic parts, apparel, hot peppers, live plants, cattle; partners — NA
External debt
$3.7 million (1985)
Fiscal year
1 April-31 March
GDP
$45.4 million, per capita $3,780; real growth rate 12% (1988 est.)
Imports
$25.3 million (c.i.f., 1987); commodities— machinery and transportation equipment, foodstuffs, manufactured goods, fuels, lubricants, and related materials; partners — NA
Industrial production
growth rate 8.1% (1986)
Industries
tourism; light manufacturing — rum, textiles, electronic appliances
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
3.7% (1987)
Overview
The economy is small and open with economic activity centered on tourism and construction. Tourism is the most important sector and accounted for 20% of GDP in 1986. Agriculture accounted for about 4% of GDP and industry 9%. 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
3.0% (1987)
Communications
Airports
1 with permanent-surface runway 1,036 m
Highways
280 km total; about 200 km paved, 80 km gravel and earth
Note
defense is the responsibility of the UK Mediterranean Sea Ceula (Sp ) (•p.l Aria Set regional map VII
Ports
Plymouth
Telecommunications
3,000 telephones; stations— 8 AM, 4 FM, 1 TV Defense Forces