Territory Summary: Montserrat

Dec 11

Written By SportsLifeMoney.com™ Staff

Territory Name: Montserrat

Capital: Plymouth

Government Type: parliamentary democracy; self-governing overseas territory of the UK

Background: 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 2013.

Region: Caribbean

Population: 5,440 (2023 est.)

note: an estimated 8,000 refugees left the island following the resumption of volcanic activity in July 1995; some have returned

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.)

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

Currency: East Caribbean Dollar (XCD)

Reserves of Foreign Exchange & Gold: $47.58 million (31 December 2017 est.)

Real GDP per Capita: $34,000 (2011 est.)

Exports:

$11.9 million (2021 est.)
Comparison Ranking: 218

Export Commodities: iron products, needles and catheters, sand, dental filling pharmaceuticals, gravel (2021)

Export Partners: Canada 48%, United States 14%, Belgium 14%, France 11%, Cost Rica 3% (2021)

Imports:

$15.3 million (2021 est.)
Comparison Ranking: 221

Import Commodities: refined petroleum, food preparations, cars, broadcasting equipment, poultry (2021)

Import Partners: United States 47%, Trinidad and Tobago 19%, United Kingdom 9%, Barbados 3%, Japan 2% (2021)

Natural Resources: NEGL

Agricultural Products: cabbages, carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, peppers; livestock products

Industries: tourism, rum, textiles, electronic appliances

Industrial Production Growth Rate:

-21% (2017 est.)
Comparison Ranking: 217

Labor Force: 4,521 (2012)

Unemployment Rate: 5.6% (2017 est.)

Natural Hazards: volcanic eruptions; severe hurricanes (June to November)

Volcanism: Soufriere Hills volcano (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; the island of Montserrat is part of the volcanic island arc of the Lesser Antilles that extends from Saba in the north to Grenada in the south

Geography:

Total: 102 sq km
Land: 102 sq km
Water: 0 sq km

(Country Summary, The World Factbook, CIA.gov)

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