Statistical information Montserrat 1996

Montserrat in the World

Montserrat - Introduction 1996

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Background: Much of this island has been devastated and two-thirds of the population has fled abroad due to the eruption of the Soufriere Hills volcano that began on 18 July 1995.

Montserrat - Geography 1996

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

Geographic coordinates

Map reference

Area
Total: 100 km²
Land: 100 km²
Comparative: about 0.6 times the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries: 0 km

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

Elevation
Extremes lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
Extremes highest point: Chances Peak 914 m

Natural resources: Negligible

Land use

Land use
Arable land: 20%
Permanent crops: 0%
Permanent pastures: 10%
Forests and woodland: 40%
Other: 30%

Irrigated land: NA

Major rivers

Major watersheds area km²

Total water withdrawal

Total renewable water resources

Natural hazards

Geography

Montserrat - People 1996

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Population:

12,771 (July 1996 est.)
12,738 (July 1995 est.)

Growth rate:

0.28% (1996 est.)
0.3% (1995 est.)

Nationality
Noun: Montserratian(s)
Adjective: Montserratian

Ethnic groups: Black, Europeans

Languages: English

Religions: Anglican, Methodist, Roman Catholic, Pentecostal, Seventh-Day Adventist, other Christian denominations

Demographic profile

Age structure

Age structure
0-14 years: NA
15-64 years: NA
65 years and over: NA

Dependency ratios

Median age

Population growth rate:

0.28% (1996 est.)
0.3% (1995 est.)

Birth rate:

15.08 births/1000 population (1996 est.)
15.5 births/1000 population (1995 est.)

Death rate:

9.83 deaths/1000 population (1996 est.)
9.81 deaths/1000 population (1995 est.)

Net migration rate: -2.47 migrant(s)/1000 population (1996 est.)
2.65 migrants/1000 population 1995 est. Infant Mortality Rate:

11.78 deaths/1000 live births (1996 est.)
11.69 deaths/1000 live births (1995 est.)

Population distribution

Urbanization

Major urban areas

Environment
Current issues: land erosion occurs on slopes that have been cleared for cultivation
Current issues Natural hazards: severe hurricanes (June to November); volcanic eruptions (there are seven active volcanoes on the island)
International agreements: NA

Air pollutants

Sex ratio

Mothers mean age at first birth

Maternal mortality ratio

Infant mortality rate

Life expectancy at birth
Total population: 75.65 years (1996 est.); 75.69 years (1995 est.)
Male: 73.89 years (1996 est.); 73.93 years (1995 est.)
Female: 77.46 years (1996 est.); 77.49 years (1995 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.93 children born/woman (1996 est.)
1.99 children born/woman (1995 est.)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

Drinking water source

Current health expenditure

Physicians density

Hospital bed density

Sanitation facility access

Hiv/Aids

Major infectious diseases

Obesity adult prevalence rate

Alcohol consumption

Tobacco use

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

Education expenditures

Literacy
Definition: age 15 and over that has ever attended school (1970)
Total population: 97%
Male: 97%
Female: 97%

School life expectancy primary to tertiary education

Youth unemployment

Montserrat - Government 1996

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Country name
Conventional long form: none
Conventional short form: Montserrat

Government type: Dependent territory of the U.K.

Capital: Plymouth

Administrative divisions: 3 parishes; Saint Anthony, Saint Georges, Saint Peter's

Dependent areas

Independence: None (dependent territory of the U.K.)

National holiday: Celebration of the Birthday of the Queen (second Saturday of June)

Constitution: Present constitution came into force 19 December 1989

Legal system: English common law and statute law

International law organization participation

Citizenship

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch
Chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (of the United Kingdom since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor Frank SAVAGE (since NA February 1993) was appointed by the queen
Head of government: Chief Minister Reuben T. MEADE (since NA October 1991)
Cabinet: Executive Council; consists of the governor, the chief minister, three other ministries, the attorney-general, and the finance secretary

Legislative branch: Unicameral Legislative Council:Elections last held 8 October 1991; results_percent of vote by party NA; seats_(11 total, 7 elected) NPP 4, NDP 1, PLM 1, independent 1

Judicial branch: Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (based in Saint Lucia)

Political parties and leaders

International organization participation: CARICOM, CDB, ECLAC (associate), ICFTU, INTERPOL (subbureau), OECS, WCL

Diplomatic representation

Flag description

: Blue with the flag of the U.K. 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

National symbols

National anthem

National heritage

Montserrat - Economy 1996

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Economy overview: The economy is small and open, with economic activity centered on tourism and related services. Tourism accounts for roughly one-quarter of Montserrat's national income. The island's main export is electronic components which are mainly shipped to the US. The agriculture sector is small; cabbages, carrots, cucumbers, and onions are grown for the domestic market; additionally, some hot peppers and live plants are exported to the US and Europe. The threat of a volcanic eruption in late 1995 led to the repeated evacuation of Montserrat's capital, Plymouth, and deep ash from the volcano destroyed much of the yearend crops. As a result, production in 1995 dropped precipitously. The likely slow recovery of tourism and the continued danger of an eruption dim the prospects for rapid recovery in 1996 and 1997.

Real gdp purchasing power parity

Real gdp growth rate:

0.5% (1994 est.)
1% (1993 est.)

Real gdp per capita:

purchasing power parity_ $4,380 (1993 est.)
$4,500 (1994 est.)

Gross national saving

Gdp composition by sector of origin

Gdp composition by end use

Gdp composition by sector of origin

Agriculture products: Accounts for 4.8% of GDP; small-scale farming; food crops_tomatoes, onions, peppers; not self-sufficient in food, especially livestock products

Industries:

Tourism
Light manufacturing_rum, textiles, electronic appliances