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; note - as 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 party - NA; seats by party - PPA 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

NOTE: The information regarding Montserrat on this page is re-published from the 1998 World Fact Book of the United States Central Intelligence Agency. No claims are made regarding the accuracy of Montserrat Government 1998 information contained here. All suggestions for corrections of any errors about Montserrat Government 1998 should be addressed to the CIA.