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

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 byGovernor Frank J. SAVAGE (since NA February 1993)
head of government : Chief Minister Bertrand OSBORNE (since 13 November 1996)
cabinet: Executive Council consists of the governor, the chief minister, threeother ministries, 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 usuallybecomes 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; membersserve 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 ofthe Supreme Court is a resident of the islands and presides over the HighCourt

Political parties and leaders National Progressive Party (NPP), Reuben T. MEADE; Movement for NationalReconstruction (MNR), Percival Austin BRAMBLE; People's Progressive Alliance(PPA), Bertrand OSBORNE

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 theMontserratian 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 arounda black cross

NOTE: The information regarding Montserrat on this page is re-published from the 1997 World Fact Book of the United States Central Intelligence Agency. No claims are made regarding the accuracy of Montserrat Government 1997 information contained here. All suggestions for corrections of any errors about Montserrat Government 1997 should be addressed to the CIA.