Montserrat
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Montserrat Geography Location: Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, southeast of Puerto Rico Geographic coordinates: 16 45 N, 62 12 W Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: total: 100 sq km land: 100 sq km water: 0 sq km AreaŃcomparative: 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 highest point: Chances Peak 914 m Natural resources: NEGL Land use: arable land: 20% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 10% forests and woodland: 40% other: 30% (1993 est.) Irrigated land: NA sq km Natural hazards: severe hurricanes (June to November); volcanic eruptions (full-scale eruptions of the Soufriere Hills volcano occurred during 1996) EnvironmentŃcurrent issues: land erosion occurs on slopes that have been cleared for cultivation EnvironmentŃinternational agreements: party to: NA signed, but not ratified: NA People Population: 12,828 (July 1998 est.) note: demographic figures include an estimated 8,000 refugees who left the island following the resumption of volcanic activity in July 1995 Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA Population growth rate: 0.23% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 14.27 births/1,000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 9.86 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: -2.12 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 11.91 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.6 years male: 73.83 years female: 77.4 years (1998 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.83 children born/woman (1998 est.) Nationality: noun: Montserratian(s) adjective: Montserratian Ethnic groups: black, white Religions: Anglican, Methodist, Roman Catholic, Pentecostal, Seventh-Day Adventist, other Christian denominations Languages: English Literacy: definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school total population: 97% male: 97% female: 97% (1970 est.) Government Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Montserrat Data code: MH Dependency status: dependent territory of the UK Government type: NA National capital: Plymouth (abandoned in 1997 due to volcanic activity) 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 of the UK (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor Anthony John ABBOTT (since NA September 1997) head of government: Chief Minister David BRANDT (since 22 August 1997) cabinet: Executive Council consists of the governor, the chief minister, three other ministers, the attorney general, and the finance secretary elections: the queen is a hereditary monarch; governor appointed by the queen; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party usually becomes chief minister; noteŃas a result of the last election, a coalition party was formed between NPP, NDP, and one of the independent candidates Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Council (11 seats, 7 popularly elected; members serve five-year terms) elections: last held 11 November 1996 (next to be held by NA 2001) election results: percent of vote by partyŃNA; seats by partyŃPPA 2, MNR 2, NPP 1, independent 2 Judicial branch: Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (based in Saint Lucia); one judge of the Supreme Court is a resident of the islands and presides over the High Court Political parties and leaders: National Progressive Party (NPP), Reuben T. MEADE; Movement for National Reconstruction (MNR), Percival Austin BRAMBLE; People's Progressive Alliance (PPA), Bertrand OSBORNE; NDP International organization participation: Caricom, CDB, ECLAC (associate), ICFTU, Interpol (subbureau), OECS, WCL Diplomatic representation in the US: none (dependent territory of the UK) Diplomatic representation 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 EconomyŃoverview: The economy of this volcanic island 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. Volcanic activity in mid-1997 led to a substantial evacuation of the southern half of the island, including the capital, Plymouth. Volcanic activity since July 1995 has resulted in the departure of an estimated 8,000 people, mainly to Antigua and Guadeloupe. GDP: purchasing power parityŃ$43 million (1996 est.) GDPŃreal growth rate: -20.2% (1996 est.) GDPŃper capita: purchasing power parityŃ$5,000 (1996 est.) GDPŃcomposition by sector: agriculture: 4.8% industry: 18.4% services: 76.8% (1990 est.) Inflation rateŃconsumer price index: 6.2% (1996 est.) Labor force: total: 4,521 (1992); noteŃlater substantially lowered by flight of people from volcanic activity by occupation: community, social, and personal services 40.5%, construction 13.5%, trade, restaurants, and hotels 12.3%, manufacturing 10.5%, agriculture, forestry, and fishing 8.8%, other 14.4% (1983 est.) Unemployment rate: 6% (1995) Budget: revenues: $NA expenditures: $NA Industries: tourism, rum, textiles, electronic appliances Industrial production growth rate: NA% ElectricityŃcapacity: 4,000 kW (1995) ElectricityŃproduction: 15 million kWh (1995) ElectricityŃconsumption per capita: 1,178 kWh (1995) AgricultureŃproducts: cabbages, carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, peppers; livestock products Exports: total value: $12.1 million (f.o.b., 1995 est.) commodities: electronic components, plastic bags, apparel, hot peppers, live plants, cattle partners: US, Ireland Imports: total value: $29.9 million (f.o.b., 1994 est.) commodities: machinery and transportation equipment, foodstuffs, manufactured goods, fuels, lubricants, and related materials partners: NA DebtŃexternal: $10.2 million (December 1994) Economic aid: $NA Currency: 1 EC dollar (EC$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: East Caribbean dollars (EC$) per US$1Ń2.7000 (fixed rate since 1976) Fiscal year: 1 AprilŃ31 March Communications Telephones: 3,000 Telephone system: domestic: NA international: NA Radio broadcast stations: AM 8, FM 4, shortwave 0 Radios: 6,000 (1992 est.) Television broadcast stations: 1 Televisions: 2,000 (1992 est.) Transportation Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 269 km paved: 203 km unpaved: 66 km (1995) Ports and harbors: Plymouth (abandoned) Merchant marine: none Airports: 1 (1997 est.) AirportsŃwith paved runways: total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (1997 est.) Military Military branches: Police Force MilitaryŃnote: defense is the responsibility of the UK Transnational Issues DisputesŃinternational: none