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.

Map reference: Central America and the Caribbean

Area
Total 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

Natural resources: negligible

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

Irrigated land: NA km²

Geography
Note: defense is the responsibility of the UK

Population: 12,738 (July 1995 est.)
Growth rate: 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

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

Population growth rate: 0.3% (1995 est.)

Birth rate: 15.5 births/1000 population (1995 est.)

Death rate: 9.81 deaths/1000 population (1995 est.)

Net migration rate: -2.65 migrant(s)/1000 population (1995 est.)

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)
Current issues international agreements: NA

Infant mortality rate: 11.69 deaths/1000 live births (1995 est.)

Life expectancy at birth
Total population: 75.69 years
Male: 73.93 years
Female: 77.49 years (1995 est.)

Total fertility rate: 1.99 children born/woman (1995 est.)

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

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

Government type: dependent territory of the UK

Capital: Plymouth

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

Independence: none (dependent territory of the UK)

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

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch
Chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor Frank SAVAGE (since NA February 1993)
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: Supreme Court

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

Diplomatic representation
In the us: none (dependent territory of the UK)
From the us: none (dependent 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 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 accounts for roughly one-fifth of GDP. Agriculture accounts for about 4% of GDP and industry 10%. 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.

Real gdp growth rate: 1% (1993 est.)

Real gdp per capita: $4,380 (1993 est.)

Agriculture products: accounts for 4% 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

Industrial production growth rate: 8.1% (1986; accounts for 10% of GDP

Labor force: 5,100
By occupation community social and personal services: 40.5%
By occupation construction: 13.5%
By occupation trade restaurants and hotels: 12.3%
By occupation manufacturing: 10.5%
By occupation agriculture forestry and fishing: 8.8%
By occupation other: 14.4% (1983est.)

Unemployment rate: NA

Budget
Revenues: $12.1 million
Expenditures: $14.3 million, including capital expenditures of $3.2 million (1988 est.)

Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March

Exports: $2.8 million (f.o.b., 1992)
Commodoties: electronic parts, plastic bags, apparel, hot peppers, live plants, cattle
Partners: NA

Imports: $80.6 million (f.o.b., 1992)
Commodoties: machinery and transportation equipment, foodstuffs, manufactured goods, fuels, lubricants, and related materials
Partners: NA

Debt external: $2.05 million (1987)

Exchange rates: East Caribbean dollars (EC$) per US$1 - 2.70 (fixed rate since 1976)

Electricity
Capacity: 5,271 kW
Production: 17 million kWh
Production consumption per capita: 1,106 kWh (1993)

Telephone system: 3,000 telephones
Local: NA
Intercity: NA
International: NA

Airports: 1
With paved runways 914 to 1523 m: 1

Merchant marine: none

Disputes international: none