Montserrat

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 available (2007)

Internet country code

.ms

Internet hosts

2,431 (2012) country comparison to the world: 160

Internet users

1,200 (2009) country comparison to the world: 213

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 (2011)

Telephones - main lines in use

3,000 (2012) country comparison to the world: 214

Telephones - mobile cellular

4,000 (2012) country comparison to the world: 214

Agriculture - products

cabbages, carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, peppers; livestock products

Budget

revenues: $31.4 million expenditures: $41.48 million (2012 est.)

Central bank discount rate

10.99% (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 53 6.5% (31 December 2009 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

8.16% (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 109 8.56% (31 December 2011 est.)

Debt - external

$8.9 million (1997) country comparison to the world: 198

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 airport 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. Half of the island remains uninhabitable. In January 2013, the EU announced the disbursement of a $55.2 million aid package to Montserrat in order to boost the country's economic recovery, with a specific focus on public finance management, public sector reform, and prudent economic management.

Exchange rates

East Caribbean dollars (XCD) per US dollar - 2.7 (2012 est.) 2.7 (2011 est.) 2.7 (2010 est.) 2.7 (2009)

Exports

$2.3 million (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 217 $2.5 million (2011 est.)

Exports - commodities

electronic components, plastic bags, apparel; hot peppers, limes, live plants; cattle

Fiscal year

1 April - 31 March

GDP (official exchange rate)

$NA

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$43.78 million (2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 225

GDP - composition, by end use

household consumption: 88.5% government consumption: 47.3% investment in fixed capital: 25.2% investment in inventories: 0% exports of goods and services: 23.8% imports of goods and services: -84.7% (2012 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture: 1.6% industry: 23.2% services: 75.2% (2012 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$8,500 (2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 128

GDP - real growth rate

3.5% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 99

Household income or consumption by percentage share

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

Imports

$32.5 million (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 218 $29.7 million (2011 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery and transportation equipment, foodstuffs, manufactured goods, fuels, lubricants, and related materials

Industrial production growth rate

NA%

Industries

tourism, rum, textiles, electronic appliances

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

4.8% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 142 3.7% (2011 est.)

Labor force

4,521 (2012) country comparison to the world: 223

Population below poverty line

NA%

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$32.08 million (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 168 $24.81 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of broad money

$71.33 million (31 December 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 191 $63.19 million (31 December 2010 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$4.074 million (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 179 $5.185 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$17.54 million (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 189 $15.25 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Unemployment rate

6% (1998 est.) country comparison to the world: 63

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

87,860 Mt (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 206

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 150

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 89

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 191

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2013 es) country comparison to the world: 159

Electricity - consumption

22.32 million kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 213

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 99

Electricity - from fossil fuels

100% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 23

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 182

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 133

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 199

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 211

Electricity - installed generating capacity

10,000 kW (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 204

Electricity - production

24 million kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 213

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 168

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 142

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 93

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 162

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2013 es) country comparison to the world: 166

Refined petroleum products - consumption

1,000 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 201

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 194

Refined petroleum products - imports

568.5 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 203

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 202

Area

total: 102 sq km country comparison to the world: 226 land: 102 sq km water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative

about 0.6 times the size of Washington, DC

Climate

tropical; little daily or seasonal temperature variation

Coastline

40 km

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)

Environment - current issues

land erosion occurs on slopes that have been cleared for cultivation

Geographic coordinates

16 45 N, 62 12 W

Geography - note

the island is entirely volcanic in origin and comprised of three major volcanic centers of differing ages

Irrigated land

NA

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

arable land: 20% permanent crops: 0% other: 80% (2011)

Location

Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, southeast of Puerto Rico

Map references

Central America and the Caribbean

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 3 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm

Natural hazards

volcanic eruptions; severe hurricanes (June to November) volcanism: Soufriere Hills volcano (elev. 915 m), 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

Natural resources

NEGL

Terrain

volcanic island, mostly mountainous, with small coastal lowland

Administrative divisions

3 parishes; Saint Anthony, Saint Georges, Saint Peter

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

Constitution

previous 1960; latest effective 1 September 2010; amended 2011 (2012)

Country name

conventional long form: none conventional short form: Montserrat

Dependency status

overseas territory of the UK

Diplomatic representation from the US

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Diplomatic representation in the US

none (overseas territory of the UK)

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; he replaces the Chief Minister cabinet: Executive Council consists of the governor, the premier, 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 premier

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

Government type

NA

Independence

none (overseas territory of the UK)

International organization participation

Caricom, CDB, Interpol (subbureau), OECS, UPU

Judicial branch

highest court(s): the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC) is the itinerant superior court of record for the 9-member Organization of Eastern Caribbean States to include Montserrat; the ECSC - with its headquarters on St. Lucia - is headed by the chief justice and is comprised of the Court of Appeal with 3 justices and the High Court with 16 judges; sittings of the Court of Appeal and High Court rotate among the 9 member states; 1 judge of the Supreme Court is a resident of Montserrat and presides over the High Court note - Montserrat is also a member of the Caribbean Court of Justice judge selection and term of office: Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court chief justice appointed by Her Majesty, Queen ELIZABETH II; other justices and judges appointed by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission; Court of Appeal justices appointed for life with mandatory retirement at age 65; High Court judges appointed for life with mandatory retirement at age 62 subordinate courts: magistrate's court

Legal system

English common law

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

National anthem

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

National holiday

Birthday of Queen ELIZABETH II, second Saturday in June (1926)

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

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

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.

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

Military branches

no regular military forces; Royal Montserrat Police Force (2011)

Age structure

0-14 years: 26.2% (male 708/female 652) 15-24 years: 13.5% (male 357/female 341) 25-54 years: 47.9% (male 1,174/female 1,309) 55-64 years: 6.3% (male 156/female 171) 65 years and over: 6.2% (male 199/female 122) (2013 est.)

Birth rate

11.37 births/1,000 population (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 172

Death rate

6.55 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 149

Drinking water source

improved: urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population (2010 est.)

Education expenditures

5.8% of GDP (2009) country comparison to the world: 43

Ethnic groups

black, white

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

Infant mortality rate

total: 14.16 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 117 male: 10.86 deaths/1,000 live births female: 17.62 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)

Languages

English

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 73.65 years country comparison to the world: 120 male: 75.31 years female: 71.91 years (2013 est.)

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school total population: 97% male: 97% female: 97% (1970 est.)

Median age

total: 30.8 years male: 30.3 years female: 31.3 years (2013 est.)

Nationality

noun: Montserratian(s) adjective: Montserratian

Net migration rate

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 96

Population

5,189 (July 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 231 note: an estimated 8,000 refugees left the island following the resumption of volcanic activity in July 1995; some have returned

Population growth rate

0.48% (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 152

Religions

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

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 (2010 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 15 years male: 14 years female: 17 years (2007)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.08 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.9 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.55 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2013 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.28 children born/woman (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 216

Urbanization

urban population: 14% of total population (2010) rate of urbanization: 2.4% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Disputes - international

none

Illicit drugs

transshipment point for South American narcotics destined for the US and Europe

Airports

1 (2013) country comparison to the world: 225

Airports - with paved runways

total: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2013)

Ports and terminals

Little Bay, Plymouth

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)