ARCHIVE // MS // 2013

Montserrat

2013 Edition — territory

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Communications
Broadcast media [time series]
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 [time series]
.ms
Internet users (Internet hosts) [time series]
2,431 (2012) country comparison to the world: 160
Internet users [time series]
1,200 (2009) country comparison to the world: 213
Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]
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 - fixed lines (Telephones - main lines in use) [time series]
3,000 (2012) country comparison to the world: 214
Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]
4,000 (2012) country comparison to the world: 214
Economy
Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]
cabbages, carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, peppers; livestock products
Budget [time series]
revenues: $31.4 million expenditures: $41.48 million (2012 est.)
Central bank discount rate [time series]
10.99% (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 53 6.5% (31 December 2009 est.)
Commercial bank prime lending rate [time series]
8.16% (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 109 8.56% (31 December 2011 est.)
Debt - external [time series]
$8.9 million (1997) country comparison to the world: 198
Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]
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 [time series]
East Caribbean dollars (XCD) per US dollar - 2.7 (2012 est.) 2.7 (2011 est.) 2.7 (2010 est.) 2.7 (2009)
Exports [time series]
$2.3 million (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 217 $2.5 million (2011 est.)
Exports - commodities [time series]
electronic components, plastic bags, apparel; hot peppers, limes, live plants; cattle
Fiscal year [time series]
1 April - 31 March
GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]
$NA
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP (purchasing power parity)) [time series]
$43.78 million (2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 225
GDP - composition, by end use [time series]
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 [time series]
agriculture: 1.6% industry: 23.2% services: 75.2% (2012 est.)
Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita (PPP)) [time series]
$8,500 (2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 128
Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]
3.5% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 99
Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]
lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
Imports [time series]
$32.5 million (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 218 $29.7 million (2011 est.)
Imports - commodities [time series]
machinery and transportation equipment, foodstuffs, manufactured goods, fuels, lubricants, and related materials
Industrial production growth rate [time series]
NA%
Industries [time series]
tourism, rum, textiles, electronic appliances
Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]
4.8% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 142 3.7% (2011 est.)
Labor force [time series]
4,521 (2012) country comparison to the world: 223
Population below poverty line [time series]
NA%
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold [time series]
$32.08 million (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 168 $24.81 million (31 December 2011 est.)
Stock of broad money [time series]
$71.33 million (31 December 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 191 $63.19 million (31 December 2010 est.)
Stock of domestic credit [time series]
$4.074 million (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 179 $5.185 million (31 December 2011 est.)
Stock of narrow money [time series]
$17.54 million (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 189 $15.25 million (31 December 2011 est.)
Unemployment rate [time series]
6% (1998 est.) country comparison to the world: 63
Energy
Carbon dioxide emissions (Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy) [time series]
87,860 Mt (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 206
Crude oil - exports [time series]
0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 150
Crude oil - imports [time series]
0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 89
Crude oil - production [time series]
0 bbl/day (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 191
Crude oil - proved reserves [time series]
0 bbl (1 January 2013 es) country comparison to the world: 159
Electricity - consumption [time series]
22.32 million kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 213
Electricity - exports [time series]
0 kWh (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 99
Electricity - from fossil fuels [time series]
100% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 23
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants [time series]
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 182
Electricity - from nuclear fuels [time series]
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 133
Electricity - from other renewable sources [time series]
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 199
Electricity - imports [time series]
0 kWh (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 211
Electricity - installed generating capacity [time series]
10,000 kW (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 204
Electricity - production [time series]
24 million kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 213
Natural gas - consumption [time series]
0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 168
Natural gas - exports [time series]
0 cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 142
Natural gas - imports [time series]
0 cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 93
Natural gas - production [time series]
0 cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 162
Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]
0 cu m (1 January 2013 es) country comparison to the world: 166
Refined petroleum products - consumption [time series]
1,000 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 201
Refined petroleum products - exports [time series]
0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 194
Refined petroleum products - imports [time series]
568.5 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 203
Refined petroleum products - production [time series]
0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 202
Geography
Area [time series]
total: 102 sq km country comparison to the world: 226 land: 102 sq km water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative [time series]
about 0.6 times the size of Washington, DC
Climate [time series]
tropical; little daily or seasonal temperature variation
Coastline [time series]
40 km
Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]
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 [time series]
land erosion occurs on slopes that have been cleared for cultivation
Geographic coordinates [time series]
16 45 N, 62 12 W
Geography - note [time series]
the island is entirely volcanic in origin and comprised of three major volcanic centers of differing ages
Irrigated land [time series]
NA
Land boundaries [time series]
0 km
Land use [time series]
arable land: 20% permanent crops: 0% other: 80% (2011)
Location [time series]
Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, southeast of Puerto Rico
Map references [time series]
Central America and the Caribbean
Maritime claims [time series]
territorial sea: 3 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
Natural hazards [time series]
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 [time series]
NEGL
Terrain [time series]
volcanic island, mostly mountainous, with small coastal lowland
Government
Administrative divisions [time series]
3 parishes; Saint Anthony, Saint Georges, Saint Peter
Capital [time series]
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 [time series]
previous 1960; latest effective 1 September 2010; amended 2011 (2012)
Country name [time series]
conventional long form: none conventional short form: Montserrat
Dependency status [time series]
overseas territory of the UK
Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]
none (overseas territory of the UK)
Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]
none (overseas territory of the UK)
Executive branch [time series]
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 (Flag description) [time series]
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 [time series]
NA
Independence [time series]
none (overseas territory of the UK)
International organization participation [time series]
Caricom, CDB, Interpol (subbureau), OECS, UPU
Judicial branch [time series]
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 [time series]
English common law
Legislative branch [time series]
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(s) (National anthem) [time series]
note: as a territory of the United Kingdom, "God Save the Queen" is official (see United Kingdom)
National holiday [time series]
Birthday of Queen ELIZABETH II, second Saturday in June (1926)
Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]
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 parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]
NA
Suffrage [time series]
18 years of age; universal
Introduction
Background [time series]
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.
Military
Manpower available for military service [time series]
males age 16-49: 1,353 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service [time series]
males age 16-49: 1,135 females age 16-49: 1,223 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually [time series]
male: 35 female: 34 (2010 est.)
Military - note [time series]
defense is the responsibility of the UK
Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]
no regular military forces; Royal Montserrat Police Force (2011)
People and Society
Age structure [time series]
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 [time series]
11.37 births/1,000 population (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 172
Death rate [time series]
6.55 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 149
Drinking water source [time series]
improved: urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population (2010 est.)
Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]
5.8% of GDP (2009) country comparison to the world: 43
Ethnic groups [time series]
black, white
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]
NA
Infant mortality rate [time series]
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 [time series]
English
Life expectancy at birth [time series]
total population: 73.65 years country comparison to the world: 120 male: 75.31 years female: 71.91 years (2013 est.)
Literacy [time series]
definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school total population: 97% male: 97% female: 97% (1970 est.)
Median age [time series]
total: 30.8 years male: 30.3 years female: 31.3 years (2013 est.)
Nationality [time series]
noun: Montserratian(s) adjective: Montserratian
Net migration rate [time series]
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 96
Population [time series]
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 [time series]
0.48% (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 152
Religions [time series]
Protestant (Anglican, Methodist, Pentecostal, Seventh-Day Adventist, other Christian denominations), Roman Catholic
Sanitation facility access [time series]
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) [time series]
total: 15 years male: 14 years female: 17 years (2007)
Sex ratio [time series]
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 [time series]
1.28 children born/woman (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 216
Urbanization [time series]
urban population: 14% of total population (2010) rate of urbanization: 2.4% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international [time series]
none
Illicit drugs [time series]
transshipment point for South American narcotics destined for the US and Europe
Transportation
Airports [time series]
1 (2013) country comparison to the world: 225
Airports - with paved runways [time series]
total: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2013)
Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]
Little Bay, Plymouth
Roadways [time series]
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)