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.

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

Irrigated land: NA

Population:
Growth rate:

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:

Birth rate:

Death rate:

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

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

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:

Literacy
Definition: age 15 and over that 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 U.K.

Capital: Plymouth

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

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

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)

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

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

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 growth rate:

Real gdp per capita:

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:

Industrial production growth rate: Growth rate 8.1% (1986; accounts for 18.4% of GDP

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

Unemployment rate: NA

Budget
Revenues: $15.7 million (1994); $12.1 million (1988)
Expenditures: $15.6 million including capital expenditures of $NA (1994); $14.3 million, including capital expenditures of $3.2 million (1988 est.)

Fiscal year: 1 April_31 March

Exports:
Commodities:
Partners:

Imports: total value:$80.6 million (f.o.b., 1992)
Commodities:
Partners: NA

Debt external:

Exchange rates: East Caribbean dollars (EC$) per US$1_2.70 (fixed rate since 1976)

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

Telephone system: 3,000 telephones
Domestic: NA
International: NA

Airports: 1
914 to 1523 m: 1

Merchant marine: None