The World Factbook (1990)/Montserrat
Montserrat (dependent territory of the UK)
_Montserrat.jpg)
See regional map III
Geography
Total area: 100 km²; land area: 100 km²
Comparative area: about 0.6 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: none
Coastline: 40 km
Maritime claims:
- Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
- Territorial sea: 3 nm
Climate: tropical; little daily or seasonal temperature variation
Terrain: volcanic islands, mostly mountainous, with small coastal lowland
Natural resources: negligible
Land use: 20% arable land; 0% permanent crops; 10% meadows and pastures; 40% forest and woodland; 30% other
Environment: subject to severe hurricanes from June to November
Note: located 400 km southeast of Puerto Rico in the Caribbean Sea
People
Population: 12,467 (July 1990), growth
rate 0.3% (1990)
Birth rate: 16 births/1,000 population (1990)
Death rate: 10 deaths/1,000 population (1990)
Net migration rate: 4 migrant/1,000 population (1990)
Infant mortality rate: 9 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)
Life expectancy at birth: 74 years male, 80 years female (1990)
Total fertility rate: 2.2 children born/woman (1990)
Nationality: noun—Montserratian(s); adjective—Montserratian
Ethnic divisions: mostly black with a few Europeans
Religion: Anglican, Methodist, Roman Catholic, Pentecostal, Seventh-Day Adventist, other Christian denominations
Language: English
Literacy: 77%
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.)
Organized labor: 30% of labor force, three trade unions with 1,500 members (1984 est.)
Government
Long-form name: none
Type: dependent territory of the UK
Capital: Plymouth
Administrative divisions: 3 parishes; Saint Anthony, Saint Georges, Saint Peter
Independence: none (colony of the UK)
Constitution: 1 January 1960
Legal system: English common law and statute law
National holiday: Celebration of the Birthday of the Queen (second Saturday of June)
Executive branch: monarch, governor, Executive Council (cabinet), chief minister
Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Council
Judicial branch: Supreme Court
Leaders: Chief of State—Queen 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 (PDP), Howell Bramble; United National Front (UNF), Dr. George Irish; National Development Party (NDP), Bertrand Osborne
Suffrage: universal at age 18
Elections: Legislative Council—last held on 25 August 1987 (next to be held NA 1992); results—percent of vote by party NA; seats—(11 total, 7 elected) PLM 4, NDP 2, PDP 1
Communists: probably none
Diplomatic representation: none (colony of the UK)
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
Economy
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.
GDP: $45.4 million, per capita $3,780; real growth rate 12% (1988 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.7% (1987)
Unemployment rate: 3.0% (1987)
Budget: revenues $10.0 million; expenditures $9.4 million, including capital expenditures of $3.2 million (1987)
Exports: $3.0 million (f.o.b., 1987); commodities—plastic bags, electronic parts, apparel, hot peppers, live plants, cattle; partners—NA
Imports: $25.3 million (c.i.f., 1987); commodities—machinery and transportation equipment, foodstuffs, manufactured goods, fuels, lubricants, and related materials; partners—NA
External debt: $3.7 million (1985)
Industrial production: growth rate 8.1% (1986)
Electricity: 5,000 kW capacity; 12 million kWh produced, 930 kWh per capita (1989)
Industries: tourism; light manufacturing rum, textiles, electronic appliances
Agriculture: accounts for 4% of GDP; small-scale farming; food crops—tomatoes, onions, peppers; not self-sufficient in food, especially livestock products
Aid: NA
Currency: East Caribbean dollar (plural—dollars); 1 EC dollar (EC$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: East Caribbean dollars (EC$) per US$1—2.70 (fixed rate since 1976)
Fiscal year: 1 April-31 March
Communications
Highways: 280 km total; about 200 km
paved, 80 km gravel and earth
Ports: Plymouth
Airports: 1 with permanent-surface runway 1,036 m
Telecommunications: 3,000 telephones; stations—8 AM, 4 FM, 1 TV
Defense Forces
Note: defense is the responsibility of the
UK