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Montserrat
map
(opens in new window)
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Background:
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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. |
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Location:
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Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea,
southeast of Puerto Rico |
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Geographic coordinates:
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16 45 N, 62 12 W |
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Area:
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total: 102 sq
km
water: 0 sq km
land: 102 sq km |
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Maritime claims:
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territorial sea:
3 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm |
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Climate:
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tropical; little daily or seasonal
temperature variation |
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Terrain:
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volcanic island, mostly mountainous, with
small coastal lowland |
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Elevation extremes:
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lowest point:
Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Chances Peak (in the Soufriere Hills volcanic complex)
914 m |
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Natural hazards:
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severe hurricanes (June to November);
volcanic eruptions (Soufriere Hills volcano has erupted continuously since
1995) |
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Environment - current issues:
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land erosion occurs on slopes that have
been cleared for cultivation |
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Geography - note:
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the island is entirely volcanic in origin
and contains seven active volcanoes |
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Population:
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9,245
note: an estimated 8,000 refugees left the island following the
resumption of volcanic activity in July 1995; some have returned (July 2004
est.) |
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Ethnic groups:
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black, white |
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Religions:
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Anglican, Methodist, Roman Catholic,
Pentecostal, Seventh-Day Adventist, other Christian denominations
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Languages:
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English |
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Dependency status:
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overseas territory of the UK |
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Legal system:
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English common law and statutory law
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Economy - overview:
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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 airports 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 volcano and on
public sector construction activity. The UK has launched a three-year $122.8
million aid program to help reconstruct the economy. Half of the island is
expected to remain uninhabitable for another decade. |
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Agriculture - products:
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cabbages, carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes,
onions, peppers, livestock products |
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Industries:
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tourism, rum, textiles, electronic
appliances |
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Exports - commodities:
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electronic components, plastic bags,
apparel, hot peppers, live plants, cattle |
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Exports - partners:
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US, Antigua and Barbuda |
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Imports - commodities:
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machinery and transportation equipment,
foodstuffs, manufactured goods, fuels, lubricants, and related materials
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Imports - partners:
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US, UK, Trinidad and Tobago, Japan, Canada
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Economic aid - recipient:
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Country Policy Plan (2001) is a three-year
program for spending $122.8 million in British budgetary assistance (2002
est.) |
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Currency:
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East Caribbean dollar (XCD) |
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Telephones - mobile cellular:
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70 (1994) |
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Highways:
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total: 227 km
paved: NA km
note: volcanic eruptions beginning in 1995 destroyed most of the road
system (2003)
unpaved: NA km |
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Ports and harbors:
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Plymouth (abandoned), Little Bay
(anchorages and ferry landing), Carr's Bay |
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Merchant marine:
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none |
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Airports:
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1 (2003 est.) |
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Airports - with paved runways:
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total: 1
under 914 m: 1 (2003 est.) |
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Military - note:
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defence is the responsibility of the UK
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