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Coat
of Arms |
National
Flower (Heliconia)
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Flag |
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| Location: |
One of the Leeward Islands in the West Indies,
40 km (25 miles) southwest of Antigua. |
| History: |
Sighted by Columbus in 1493. Settled by Anglo-Irish
colonists from 1632. The island fell under French
occupation twice, but was otherwise continuously
British. In 1967, Montserrat opted for colonial
status instead of Associated Statehood. In 1995
the Soufriere Hills Volcano came to life and by
1997 the majority of the population was forced
to leave the island. Approximately two thirds
of the island, including the capital, Plymouth,
and the W.H. Bramble Airport is covered with ash.
Only the northern section of the island is now
inhabited. |
| Elections: |
Last elections 2001. Next elections due 2006. |
| Ruling
Party: |
New People's Liberation Movement |
| Major
Political Parties: |
New
People's Liberation Movement (NPLM), National
Progressive Party (NPP) |
| Head
of State: |
H.E.
Deborah Barnes-Jones, Governor |
| Head
of Government: |
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Hon.
John Alfred Osborne
Chief Minister
DATE
OF BIRTH: 27 May 1936
MARITAL
STATUS: Married
EDUCATION:
- Hydraulics
Engineering - Juteland College, Denmark
- Mechanical
Engineering - Manchester School of Engineering,
England
PROFESSIONAL/POLITICAL
CAREER:
- Shipwright;
Banker/Financier
- 1966-present:
Legislative Council
- 1978-1991:
Chief Minister, Minister of Finance and Economic
Development
- 1991-2001:
Leader of the Opposition in Parliament
- 2001
(April): Elected Chief Minister
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| Economic
Summary: |
From
about mid-1995 normal life was disrupted due to
severe volcanic eruptions on the island. By mid-1998
volcanic activity subsided and normalcy returned,
but with a significantly reduced population and
economic activity.
A new factory shell houses a number of small businesses.
The
once vibrant tourism industry is re-emerging as
a major contributor to national economic growth.
The fledgling industry caters mainly for day excursionists.
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| Seaport: |
Montserrat-Antigua and Barbuda Ferry Service |
| Heliport |
Gerald's
Heliport |
| Status: |
British Dependency |
| Capital: |
Plymouth (abandoned) |
| Seat
of Government Offices: |
Brades |
| Area: |
103 km2 (39.5 miles2) |
| Population: |
10,608 (1995). 5,274 persons live on the island
(mid-2000) |
| Currency: |
Eastern Caribbean Dollar (EC$) |
| GDP
Per Capita (at Current Market Prices): |
EC$22,628.9 m (1999) |
| Total
Exports: |
EC$111.6m (1996) |
| Total
Imports: |
EC$52.2m (1998) |
| Intra-Regional
Exports: |
EC$2.5m (1996) |
| Intra-Regional
Imports: |
EC$18.6m (1994) |
| Business
Hours: |
Commercial:
8:00-17:00 hrs Monday to Friday
Government: 8:00-14:00 hrs Monday
to Friday |
| National
Holidays: |
New Year's Day (01 January);
St. Patrick's Day (17 March); Good Friday; Easter
Monday; Labour Day (04 May); Whit Monday; August
Monday, Christmas Day (25 December); Boxing Day
(26 December); Festival Day (31 December) |
| National
Anthem: |
God Save Our Queen
God
save our gracious Queen,
Long live our noble Queen,
God save the Queen;
Send her victorious,
Happy and glorious,
Long to reign over us:
God save the Queen.
O Lord our God arise,
Scatter her enemies,
And make them fall:
Confound their politics,
Frustrate their knavish tricks,
On Thee our hopes we fix:
God save us all.
Thy
choicest gifts in store,
On her be pleased to pour,
Long may she reign:
May she defend our laws,
And ever give us cause
To sing with heart and voice
God save the Queen.
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| Highest
National Award: |
Montserrat Badge of Honour |
| Favourite
Dish: |
Goat Water |
| Date
of CARICOM Membership: |
1 May 1974 |
| Government
web page: |
http://www.gov.ms
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