Introduction

Background: |  |

`
English and Irish colonists from St. Kitts first settled on Montserrat in 1632; the first African slaves arrived three decades later. The British and French fought for possession of the island for most of the 18th century, but it finally was confirmed as a British possession in 1783. The island's sugar plantation economy was converted to small farm landholdings in the mid 19th century. Much of this island was devastated and two-thirds of the population fled abroad because of the eruption of the Soufriere Hills Volcano that began on 18 July 1995. Montserrat has endured volcanic activity since, with the last eruption occurring in July 2003.
`

Geography

Location: |  |
`Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, southeast of Puerto Rico`
Geographic coordinates: |  |
`16 45 N, 62 12 W`
Map references: |  |
`Central America and the Caribbean`
Area: |  |
`total: 102 sq km country comparison to the world: 224 land: 102 sq km water: 0 sq km`
Area - comparative: |  |
`about 0.6 times the size of Washington, DC`
Land boundaries: |  |
`0 km`
Coastline: |  |
`40 km`
Maritime claims: |  |
`territorial sea: 3 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm`
Climate: |  |
`tropical; little daily or seasonal temperature variation`
Terrain: |  |
`volcanic island, mostly mountainous, with small coastal lowland`
Elevation extremes: |  |
`lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: lava dome in English's Crater (in the Soufriere Hills volcanic complex) estimated at over 930 m (2006)`
Natural resources: |  |
`NEGL`
Land use: |  |
`arable land: 20% permanent crops: 0% other: 80% (2005)`
Irrigated land: |  |
`NA`
Natural hazards: |  |
`severe hurricanes (June to November); volcanic eruptions volcanism: Soufriere Hills volcano, at a height of 915 m (3,010 ft), has erupted continuously since 1995; a massive eruption in 1997 destroyed most of the capital, Plymouth, and resulted in approximately half of the island becoming uninhabitable`
Environment - current issues: |  |
`land erosion occurs on slopes that have been cleared for cultivation`
Geography - note: |  |
`the island is entirely volcanic in origin and comprised of three major volcanic centers of differing ages`

People

Population: |  |
`5,140 (July 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 228 note: an estimated 8,000 refugees left the island following the resumption of volcanic activity in July 1995; some have returned`
Age structure: |  |
`0-14 years: 26.9% (male 717/female 665) 15-64 years: 66.6% (male 1,648/female 1,777) 65 years and over: 6.5% (male 208/female 125) (2011 est.)`
Median age: |  |
`total: 29.6 years male: 29.2 years female: 30.1 years (2011 est.)`
Population growth rate: |  |
`0.447% (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 154`
Birth rate: |  |
`11.67 births/1,000 population (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 167`
Death rate: |  |
`7.2 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 126`
Net migration rate: |  |
`0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 97`
Urbanization: |  |
`urban population: 14% of total population (2010) rate of urbanization: 2.4% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)`
Sex ratio: |  |
`at birth: 1.033 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.09 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.91 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 2.03 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2011 est.)`
Infant mortality rate: |  |
`total: 15.23 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 117 male: 11.54 deaths/1,000 live births female: 19.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)`
Life expectancy at birth: |  |
`total population: 73.16 years country comparison to the world: 120 male: 74.99 years female: 71.24 years (2011 est.)`
Total fertility rate: |  |
`1.26 children born/woman (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 216`
HIV / AIDS - adult prevalence rate: |  |
`NA`
HIV / AIDS - people living with HIV / AIDS: |  |
`NA`
HIV / AIDS - deaths: |  |
`NA`
Drinking water source: |  |
`improved: urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population (2008)`
Sanitation facility access: |  |
`improved: urban: 96% of population rural: 96% of population total: 96% of population unimproved: urban: 4% of population rural: 4% of population total: 4% of population (2008)`
Nationality: |  |
`noun: Montserratian(s) adjective: Montserratian`
Ethnic groups: |  |
`black, white`
Religions: |  |
`Anglican, Methodist, Roman Catholic, Pentecostal, Seventh-Day Adventist, other Christian denominations`
Languages: |  |
`English`
Literacy: |  |
`definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school total population: 97% male: 97% female: 97% (1970 est.)`
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): |  |
`total: 15 years male: 14 years female: 17 years (2007)`
Education expenditures: |  |
`3.3% of GDP (2004) country comparison to the world: 122`

Government

Country name: |  |
`conventional long form: none conventional short form: Montserrat`
Dependency status: |  |
`overseas territory of the UK`
Government type: |  |
`NA`
Capital: |  |
`name: Plymouth geographic coordinates: 16 42 N, 62 13 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) note: Plymouth was abandoned in 1997 because of volcanic activity; interim government buildings have been built at Brades Estate in the Carr's Bay/Little Bay vicinity at the northwest end of Montserrat`
Administrative divisions: |  |
`3 parishes; Saint Anthony, Saint Georges, Saint Peter`
Independence: |  |
`none (overseas territory of the UK)`
National holiday: |  |
`Birthday of Queen ELIZABETH II, second Saturday in June (1926)`
Constitution: |  |
`effective 19 December 1989`
Legal system: |  |
`English common law`
Suffrage: |  |
`18 years of age; universal`
Executive branch: |  |

`
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor Adrian DAVIS (since 8 April 2011)
head of government: Chief Minister Rueben MEADE (since 10 September 2009)
cabinet: Executive Council consists of the governor, the chief minister, 3 other ministers, the attorney general, and the finance secretary
(For more information visit theWorld Leaders website )
elections: the monarchy is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party usually becomes chief minister
`

Legislative branch: |  |
`unicameral Legislative Council (11 seats; 9 members popularly elected to serve five-year terms; the attorney general and financial secretary sit as ex-officio members) elections: last held on 8 September 2009 (next to be held by 2014) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - MCAP 6, independents 3`
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: |  |
`Montserrat Democratic Party or MDP [Lowell LEWIS]; Movement for Change and Prosperity or MCAP [Roselyn CASSELL-SEALY]; New People's Liberation Movement or NPLM [John A. OSBORNE]`
Political pressure groups and leaders: |  |
`NA`
International organization participation: |  |
`Caricom, CDB, Interpol (subbureau), OECS, UPU`
Diplomatic representation in the US: |  |
`none (overseas territory of the UK)`
Diplomatic representation from the US: |  |
`none (overseas territory of the UK)`
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 arms feature a woman in green dress, Erin, the female personification of Ireland, standing beside a yellow harp and embracing a large dark cross with her right arm; Erin and the harp are symbols of Ireland reflecting the territory's Irish ancestry; blue represents awareness, trustworthiness, determination, and righteousness
`

National anthem: |  |
`note: as a territory of the United Kingdom, "God Save the Queen" is official (see United Kingdom)`

Economy

Economy - overview: |  |

`
Severe volcanic activity, which began in July 1995, has put a damper on this small, open economy. A catastrophic eruption in June 1997 closed the airports and seaports, causing further economic and social dislocation. Two-thirds of the 12,000 inhabitants fled the island. Some began to return in 1998 but lack of housing limited the number. The agriculture sector continued to be affected by the lack of suitable land for farming and the destruction of crops. Prospects for the economy depend largely on developments in relation to the volcanic activity and on public sector construction activity. The UK has launched a three-year $122.8 million aid program to help reconstruct the economy. Half of the island is expected to remain uninhabitable for another decade.
`

GDP (purchasing power parity): |  |
`$29 million (2002 est.) country comparison to the world: 224`
GDP (official exchange rate): |  |
`$NA`
GDP - real growth rate: |  |
`-1% (2002 est.) country comparison to the world: 198`
GDP - per capita (PPP): |  |
`$3,400 (2002 est.) country comparison to the world: 165`
GDP - composition by sector: |  |
`agriculture: 1.2% industry: 23.1% services: 75.7% (1999 est.)`
Labor force: |  |
`NA`
Unemployment rate: |  |
`6% (1998 est.) country comparison to the world: 59`
Population below poverty line: |  |
`NA%`
Household income or consumption by percentage share: |  |
`lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%`
Budget: |  |
`revenues: $31.4 million expenditures: $31.6 million (1997 est.)`
Inflation rate (consumer prices): |  |
`2.6% (2002 est.) country comparison to the world: 69`
Central bank discount rate: |  |
`6.5% (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 56 6.5% (31 December 2008)`
Commercial bank prime lending rate: |  |
`9.04% (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 90 9.89% (31 December 2008 est.)`
Stock of narrow money: |  |
`$14.13 million (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 188 $14.51 million (31 December 2008)`
Stock of broad money: |  |
`$69.63 million (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 187 $62.13 million (31 December 2008)`
Stock of domestic credit: |  |
`$9.93 million (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 185 $5.537 million (31 December 2007 est.)`
Agriculture - products: |  |
`cabbages, carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, peppers; livestock products`
Industries: |  |
`tourism, rum, textiles, electronic appliances`
Industrial production growth rate: |  |
`NA%`
Electricity - production: |  |
`22 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 206`
Electricity - consumption: |  |
`20.46 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 205`
Electricity - exports: |  |
`0 kWh (2008 est.)`
Electricity - imports: |  |
`0 kWh (2008 est.)`
Oil - production: |  |
`0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 201`
Oil - consumption: |  |
`1,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 195`
Oil - exports: |  |
`0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 183`
Oil - imports: |  |
`520.6 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 197`
Oil - proved reserves: |  |
`0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 159`
Natural gas - production: |  |
`0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 156`
Natural gas - consumption: |  |
`0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 195`
Natural gas - exports: |  |
`0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 137`
Natural gas - imports: |  |
`0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 84`
Natural gas - proved reserves: |  |
`0 cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 161`
Exports: |  |
`$700,000 (2001 est.) country comparison to the world: 218`
Exports - commodities: |  |
`electronic components, plastic bags, apparel; hot peppers, limes, live plants; cattle`
Imports: |  |
`$17 million (2001 est.) country comparison to the world: 219`
Imports - commodities: |  |
`machinery and transportation equipment, foodstuffs, manufactured goods, fuels, lubricants, and related materials`
Debt - external: |  |
`$8.9 million (1997) country comparison to the world: 191`
Exchange rates: |  |
`East Caribbean dollars (XCD) per US dollar - 2.7 (2010) 2.7 (2009) 2.7 (2005) 2.7 (2004) 2.7 (2003)`

Communications

Telephones - main lines in use: |  |
`2,700 (2009) country comparison to the world: 219`
Telephones - mobile cellular: |  |
`3,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 212`
Telephone system: |  |
`general assessment: modern and fully digitalized domestic: combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity exceeds 100 per 100 persons international: country code - 1-664; landing point for the East Caribbean Fiber System (ECFS) optic submarine cable with links to 13 other islands in the eastern Caribbean extending from the British Virgin Islands to Trinidad`
Broadcast media: |  |
`Radio Montserrat, a public radio broadcaster, transmits on 1 station and has a repeater transmission to a second station; repeater transmissions from the GEM Radio Network of Trinidad and Tobago provide another 2 radio stations; cable and satellite TV are obtainable (2007)`
Internet country code: |  |
`.ms`
Internet hosts: |  |
`552 (2010) country comparison to the world: 177`
Internet users: |  |
`1,200 (2009) country comparison to the world: 212`

Transportation

Airports: |  |
`2 (2010) country comparison to the world: 209`
Airports - with paved runways: |  |
`total: 2 under 914 m: 2 (2010)`
Roadways: |  |
`note: volcanic eruptions that began in 1995 destroyed most of the 227 km road system; a new road infrastructure has been built on the north end of the island (2008)`
Ports and terminals: |  |
`Little Bay, Plymouth`

Military

Military branches: |  |
`no regular military forces; Royal Montserrat Police Force (2010)`
Manpower available for military service: |  |
`males age 16-49: 1,353 (2010 est.)`
Manpower fit for military service: |  |
`males age 16-49: 1,135 females age 16-49: 1,223 (2010 est.)`
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: |  |
`male: 35 female: 34 (2010 est.)`
Military - note: |  |
`defense is the responsibility of the UK`

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international: |  |
`none`
Illicit drugs: |  |
`transshipment point for South American narcotics destined for the US and Europe`

PAGE LAST UPDATED ON MAY 26, 2011