Part 572

Terrain: volcanic islands, mostly mountainous, with small coastal lowland

Elevation extremes: lowest point : Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Chances Peak 914 m

Natural resources: NEGL

Land use: arable land : 20% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures : 10% forests and woodland: 40% other: 30% (1993 est.)

Irrigated land: NA sq km

Natural hazards: severe hurricanes (June to November); volcanic eruptions (full-scale eruptions of the Soufriere Hills volcano occurred during 1996)

Environment - current issues: land erosion occurs on slopes that have been cleared for cultivation

Environment - international agreements: party to: NA signed, but not ratified : NA

@Montserrat:People

Population: 12,800 (July 1997 est.)

Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years : NA 65 years and over: NA

Population growth rate: 0.23% (1997 est.)

Birth rate: 14.47 births/1,000 population (1997 est.)

Death rate: 9.85 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.)

Net migration rate: -2.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 est.)

Sex ratio: at birth: NA male(s)/female under 15 years : NA male(s)/female 15-64 years: NA male(s)/female 65 years and over: NA male(s)/female total population: NA male(s)/female

Infant mortality rate: 11.87 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.)

Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.62 years male: 73.85 years female : 77.42 years (1997 est.)

Total fertility rate: 1.86 children born/woman (1997 est.)

Nationality: noun: Montserratian(s) adjective: Montserratian

Ethnic groups: black, white

Religions: Anglican, Methodist, Roman Catholic, Pentecostal, Seventh-Day Adventist, other Christian denominations

Languages: English

Literacy: definition : age 15 and over has ever attended school total population: 97% male: 97% female: 97% (1970 est.)

@Montserrat:Government

Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Montserrat

Data code: MH

Dependency status: dependent territory of the UK