Montserrat

Montserrat

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: 225 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 and Society

Nationality

noun: Montserratian(s)
adjective:Montserratian

Ethnic groups

black, white

Languages

English

Religions

Protestant (Anglican, Methodist, Pentecostal, Seventh-Day Adventist, other Christian denominations), Roman Catholic

Population

5,140 (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 229 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: 153

Birth rate

11.67 births/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 166

Death rate

7.2 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 125

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: 213

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)

HIV/AIDS – adult prevalence rate

NA

HIV/AIDS – people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

HIV/AIDS – deaths

NA

Education expenditures

3.3% of GDP (2004)
country comparison to the world: 121

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)

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

Montserrat Constitution Order 2010, effective 1 September 2011

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:Premier Rueben T. MEADE (since 27 September 2011)

note – the office of premier came into effect with the new Constitution Order
cabinet:Executive Council consists of the governor, the premier, 3 other ministers, the attorney general, and the finance secretary
(For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections:the monarchy is hereditary

governor appointed by the monarch

following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party usually becomes premier

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: 197

GDP – per capita (PPP)

$3,400 (2002 est.)
country comparison to the world: 165

GDP – composition by sector

agriculture: 1.6%
industry:22.9%
services:75.6% (2010 est.)

Labor force

NA

Unemployment rate

6% (1998 est.)
country comparison to the world: 54

Population below poverty line

NA%

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%:NA%

Investment (gross fixed)

38% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 10

Budget

revenues: $31.4 million
expenditures:$37.04 million (2010 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

0.6% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 14 3.1% (2009 est.)

Central bank discount rate

10.99% (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 56 6.5% (31 December 2009 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

8.728% (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 120 9.045% (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$16.97 million (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 188 $19.08 million (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money

$70.26 million (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 189 $69.63 million (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$12.59 million (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 188 $11.85 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 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 209

Electricity – consumption

20.46 million kWh (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 209

Electricity – exports

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity – imports

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Oil – production

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 196

Oil – consumption

1,000 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 201

Oil – exports

0 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 188

Oil – imports

564 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 200

Oil – proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 161

Natural gas – production

0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 95

Natural gas – consumption

0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 201

Natural gas – exports

0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 139

Natural gas – imports

0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 148

Natural gas – proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 163

Current account balance

-$18.1 million (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 65 -$12.68 million (2009 est.)

Exports

$3.4 million (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 217 $3.16 million (2009 est.)

Exports – commodities

electronic components, plastic bags, apparel

hot peppers, limes, live plants

cattle

Imports

$31.5 million (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 218 $26.07 million (2009 est.)

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: 195

Exchange rates

East Caribbean dollars (XCD) per US dollar -
2.7 (2010)
2.7 (2009)
2.7 (2005)
2.7 (2004)
2.7 (2003)

Transportation

Airports

2 (2010)
country comparison to the world:210

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