3 parishes; Saint Anthony, Saint Georges,
Saint Peter

Independence: none (colony of the UK)

Constitution: 1 January 1960

Legal system: English common law and statute law

National holiday: Celebration of the Birthday of the Queen (second
Saturday of June)

Executive branch: monarch, governor, Executive Council (cabinet),
chief minister

Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Council

Judicial branch: Supreme Court

Leaders:
Chief of State--Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952),
represented by Governor Christopher J. TURNER (since 1987);

Head of Government--Chief Minister John A. OSBORNE (since 1978)

Political parties and leaders: People's Liberation Movement (PLM), John
Osborne; Progressive Democratic Party (PDP), Howell Bramble; United
National Front (UNF), Dr. George Irish; National Development Party (NDP),
Bertrand Osborne

Suffrage: universal at age 18

Elections:
Legislative Council--last held on 25 August 1987 (next to be
held NA 1992);
results--percent of vote by party NA;
seats--(11 total, 7 elected) PLM 4, NDP 2, PDP 1

Communists: probably none

Diplomatic representation: none (colony of the UK)

Flag: 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

- Economy
Overview: The economy is small and open with economic activity centered
on tourism and construction. Tourism is the most important sector and
accounted for 20% of GDP in 1986. Agriculture accounted for about 4%
of GDP and industry 9%. The economy is heavily dependent on imports,
making it vulnerable to fluctuations in world prices. Exports consist
mainly of electronic parts sold to the US.

GDP: $45.4 million, per capita $3,780; real growth rate 12% (1988
est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.7% (1987)

Unemployment rate: 3.0% (1987)

Budget: revenues $10.0 million; expenditures $9.4 million, including
capital expenditures of $3.2 million (1987)

Exports: $3.0 million (f.o.b., 1987); commodities--plastic bags,
electronic parts, apparel, hot peppers, live plants, cattle; partners--NA

Imports: $25.3 million (c.i.f., 1987); commodities--machinery and
transportation equipment, foodstuffs, manufactured goods, fuels, lubricants,
and related materials; partners--NA

External debt: $3.7 million (1985)

Industrial productio