Introduction
Background
English and Irish colonists from St. Kitts first settled on Montserrat in 1632. 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.
Geography
Area
total: 102 sq km
land: 102 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Climate
tropical; little daily or seasonal temperature variation
Natural resources
NEGL
People and Society
Population
5,440 (2023 est.)
Ethnic groups
African/Black 86.2%, mixed 4.8%, Hispanic/Spanish 3%, Caucasian/White 2.7%, East Indian/Indian 1.6%, other 1.8% (2018 est.)
Languages
English
Religions
Protestant 71.4% (includes Anglican 17.7%, Pentecostal/Full Gospel 16.1%, Seventh Day Adventist 15%, Methodist 13.9%, Church of God 6.7%, other Protestant 2%), Roman Catholic 11.4%, Rastafarian 1.4%, Hindu 1.2%, Jehovah's Witness 1%, Muslim 0.4%, other/not stated 5.1%, none 7.9% (2018 est.)
Population growth rate
0.46% (2023 est.)
Government
Government type
parliamentary democracy; self-governing overseas territory of the UK
Capital
name: Plymouth; note - Plymouth was abandoned in 1997 because of volcanic activity; interim government buildings have been built at Brades Estate, the de facto capital, in the Carr's Bay/Little Bay vicinity at the northwest end of Montserrat
Executive branch
chief of state: King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Governor Sarah TUCKER (since 6 April 2023)
head of government: Premier Easton TAYLOR-FARRELL (since 19 November 2019); note - effective with Constitution Order 2010, October 2010, the office of premier replaced the office of chief minister
Legislative branch
description: unicameral Legislative Assembly (12 seats; 9 members directly elected in a single constituency by absolute majority vote in 2 rounds to serve 5-year terms; the speaker, normally elected from the outside by the Assembly for a 5-year term, and 2 ex-officio members - the attorney general and financial secretary)
Economy
Economic overview
formerly high-income economy; volcanic activity destroyed much of original infrastructure and economy; new capital and port is being developed; key geothermal and solar power generation; key music recording operations
Real GDP per capita
$34,000 (2011 est.)
$31,100 (2010 est.)
$32,300 (2009 est.)
Agricultural products
cabbages, carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, peppers; livestock products
Industries
tourism, rum, textiles, electronic appliances
Exports
$11.9 million (2021 est.)
$4.4 million (2017 est.)
$5.2 million (2016 est.)
Exports - partners
Canada 48%, United States 14%, Belgium 14%, France 11%, Cost Rica 3% (2021)
Exports - commodities
iron products, needles and catheters, sand, dental filling pharmaceuticals, gravel (2021)
Imports
$15.3 million (2021 est.)
$39.44 million (2017 est.)
$36.1 million (2016 est.)
Imports - partners
United States 47%, Trinidad and Tobago 19%, United Kingdom 9%, Barbados 3%, Japan 2% (2021)
Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, food preparations, cars, broadcasting equipment, poultry (2021)
Exchange rates
East Caribbean dollars (XCD) per US dollar -
Exchange rates:
2.7 (2017 est.)
2.7 (2016 est.)
2.7 (2015 est.)
2.7 (2014 est.)
2.7 (2013 est.)
Page last updated: Wednesday, April 17, 2024
