Country Guide

Honduras Facts

Geography People and Society Government Economy Communications Transportation Military Transnational Issues

Geography

Location:
Central America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Guatemala and Nicaragua and bordering the Gulf of Fonseca (North Pacific Ocean), between El Salvador and Nicaragua


Geographic coordinates:
15 00 N, 86 30 W


Map references:
Central America and the Caribbean


Area:
total:112,090 sq kmcountry comparison to the world: 103
land:111,890 sq km
water:200 sq km


Area - comparative:
Area comparison map: '>


Land boundaries:
total:1,575 km
border countries:Guatemala 244 km, El Salvador 391 km, Nicaragua 940 km


Coastline:
Caribbean Sea 669 km; Gulf of Fonseca 163 km


Maritime claims:
territorial sea:12 nm
contiguous zone:24 nm
exclusive economic zone:200 nm
continental shelf:natural extension of territory or to 200 nm


    Climate:
subtropical in lowlands, temperate in mountains


Terrain:
mostly mountains in interior, narrow coastal plains


Elevation extremes:
lowest point:Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point:Cerro Las Minas 2,870 m


Natural resources:
timber, gold, silver, copper, lead, zinc, iron ore, antimony, coal, fish, hydropower


Land use:
arable land:9.07%
permanent crops:3.91%
other:87.02% (2011)


Irrigated land:
878.5 sq km (2007)


Total renewable water resources:
95.93 cu km (2011)


Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
95.93 cu km (2011)

Natural hazards:
frequent, but generally mild, earthquakes; extremely susceptible to damaging hurricanes and floods along the Caribbean coast


Environment - current issues:
urban population expanding; deforestation results from logging and the clearing of land for agricultural purposes; further land degradation and soil erosion hastened by uncontrolled development and improper land use practices such as farming of marginal lands; mining activities polluting Lago de Yojoa (the country's largest source of fresh water), as well as several rivers and streams, with heavy metals


Environment - international agreements:
party to:Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified:none of the selected agreements


Geography - note:
has only a short Pacific coast but a long Caribbean shoreline, including the virtually uninhabited eastern Mosquito Coast

People and Society

Nationality:
noun: Honduran(s)
adjective:Honduran


Ethnic groups:
mestizo (mixed Amerindian and European) 90%, Amerindian 7%, black 2%, white 1%


Languages:
Spanish (official), Amerindian dialects


Religions:
Roman Catholic 97%, Protestant 3%


Demographic profile:
Honduras is one of the poorest countries in Latin America and has the world's highest murder rate. More than half of the population lives in poverty and per capita income is one of the lowest in the region. Poverty rates are higher among rural and indigenous people and in the south, west, and along the eastern border than in the north and central areas where most of Honduras' industries and infrastructure are concentrated. The increased productivity needed to break Honduras' persistent high poverty rate depends, in part, on further improvements in educational attainment. Although primary-school enrollment is near 100%, educational quality is poor, the drop-out rate and grade repetition remain high, and teacher and school accountability is low.


Population:
8,598,561country comparison to the world: 94
note:estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2014 est.)



Age structure:
0-14 years:34.8% (male 1,529,578/female 1,465,188)
15-24 years:21.2% (male 928,756/female 892,629)
25-54 years:35.3% (male 1,530,429/female 1,502,916)
55-64 years:4.7% (male 187,771/female 217,093)
65 years and over:3.9% (male 150,681/female 193,520) (2014 est.)


Dependency ratios:
total dependency ratio:64.7 %
youth dependency ratio:57.2 %
elderly dependency ratio:7.4 %
potential support ratio:13.5 (2014 est.)


Median age:
total:21.9 years
male:21.6 years
female:22.3 years (2014 est.)


Population growth rate:
1.74% (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 71


Birth rate:
23.66 births/1,000 population (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 65


Death rate:
5.13 deaths/1,000 population (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 183


Net migration rate:
-1.18 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 153


Urbanization:
urban population:52.2% of total population (2011)
rate of urbanization:3.06% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)


Major urban areas - population:
TEGUCIGALPA (capital) 1.088 million (2011)


Sex ratio:
at birth:1.05 male(s)/female
0-14 years:1.04 male(s)/female
15-24 years:1.04 male(s)/female
25-54 years:1.02 male(s)/female
55-64 years:1.01 male(s)/female
65 years and over:0.79 male(s)/female
total population:1.01 male(s)/female (2014 est.)


Mother's mean age at first birth:
20.4


    Maternal mortality rate:
100 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)


Infant mortality rate:
total:18.72 deaths/1,000 live birthscountry comparison to the world: 96
male:21.2 deaths/1,000 live births
female:16.13 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)


Life expectancy at birth:
total population:70.91 yearscountry comparison to the world: 147
male:69.24 years
female:72.65 years (2014 est.)


Total fertility rate:
2.86 children born/woman (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 65


Contraceptive prevalence rate:
65.2% (2005/06)


Health expenditures:
9.1% of GDP (2009)


Physicians density:
0.37 physicians/1,000 population (2005)


Hospital bed density:
0.7 beds/1,000 population (2011)


Drinking water source:
improved:
urban: 96.8% of population
rural: 81.5% of population
total: 89.6% of population
unimproved:
urban: 3.2% of population
rural: 18.5% of population
total: 10.4% of population (2012 est.)


Sanitation facility access:
improved:
urban: 85.3% of population
rural: 74% of population
total: 80% of population
unimproved:
urban: 14.7% of population
rural: 26% of population
total: 20% of population (2012 est.)


HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.5% (2012 est.)country comparison to the world: 70


HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
25,600 (2012 est.)country comparison to the world: 75


HIV/AIDS - deaths:
1,700 (2012 est.)country comparison to the world: 63


Major infectious diseases:


Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
18.4% (2008)country comparison to the world: 106


Children under the age of 5 years underweight:
8.6% (2006)country comparison to the world: 73


Education expenditures:
NA

Literacy:
definition:age 15 and over can read and write
total population:85.1%
male:85.3%
female:84.9% (2011 est.)


School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total:11 years
male:11 years
female:12 years (2012)


Child labor - children ages 5-14:



Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:
total:8%country comparison to the world: 122
male:5.5%
female:13.8% (2011)

Government

Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Honduras
conventional short form:Honduras
local long form:Republica de Honduras
local short form:Honduras


Government type:
democratic constitutional republic


Capital:
name:Tegucigalpa
geographic coordinates:14 06 N, 87 13 W
time difference:UTC-6 (1 hour behind Washington, DC during Standard Time)
daylight saving time:none scheduled for 2013


Administrative divisions:
18 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Atlantida, Choluteca, Colon, Comayagua, Copan, Cortes, El Paraiso, Francisco Morazan, Gracias a Dios, Intibuca, Islas de la Bahia, La Paz, Lempira, Ocotepeque, Olancho, Santa Barbara, Valle, Yoro


Independence:
15 September 1821 (from Spain)


National holiday:
Independence Day, 15 September (1821)


Constitution:
several previous; latest approved 11 January 1982, effective 20 January 1982; amended many times, last in 2012 (2013)


Legal system:
civil law system


International law organization participation:
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction


Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal and compulsory


Executive branch:
chief of state:President Juan Orlando HERNANDEZ Alvarado (since 27 January 2014); Vice Presidents Ricardo ALVAREZ, Rossana GUEVARA, and Lorena HERRERA (since 27 January 2014); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government
head of government:President Juan Orlando HERNANDEZ Alvarado (since 27 January 2014); Vice Presidents Ricardo ALVAREZ, Rossana GUEVARA, and Lorena HERRERA (since 27 January 2014)
cabinet:Cabinet appointed by president
elections:president elected by popular vote for a four-year term; election last held on 24 November 2013 (next to be held in November 2017)
election results:Juan Orlando HERNANDEZ Alvarado elected president; percent of vote - Juan Orlando HERNANDEZ Alvarado 36.9%, Xiomara CASTRO 28.8%, Mauricio VILLEDA 20.3%, Salvador NASRALLA 13.4%


Legislative branch:
unicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional (128 seats; members elected proportionally by department to serve four-year terms)
elections:last held on 24 November 2013 (next to be held in November 2017)
election results:percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PNH 48, LIBRE 37, PL 27, PAC 13, DC 1, UD 1, PINU 1


Judicial branch:
highest court(s):Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (15 principal judges - including the court president - and 7 alternates; court organized into civil, criminal, and labor chambers); note - the court has both judicial and constitutional jurisdiction
judge selection and term of office:court president elected by his peers; judges elected by the National Congress from candidates proposed by the Nominating Board, a diverse 7-member group of judicial officials, other government and non-government officials selected by each of their organizations; judges elected by Congress for renewable, 7-year terms
subordinate courts:courts of appeal; courts of first instance; peace courts


    Political parties and leaders:
Anti-Corruption Party or PAC [Salvador NASRALLA]
Christian Democratic Party or DC [Felicito AVILA Ordonez]
Democratic Unification Party or UD [Cesar HAM]
Freedom and Refounding Party or LIBRE [Jose Manuel ZELAYA Rosales]
Liberal Party or PL [Mauricio VILLEDA Bermudez]
National Party of Honduras or PNH [Gladys Aurora LOPEZ]
Social Democratic Innovation and Unity Party or PINU [Jorge Rafael AGUILAR Paredes]


Political pressure groups and leaders:
Beverage and Related Industries Syndicate or STIBYS


International organization participation:
BCIE, CACM, CD, CELAC, FAO, G-11, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC (suspended), IOM, IPU, ISO (subscriber), ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAES, LAIA (observer), MIGA, MINURSO, NAM, OAS (suspended), OPANAL, OPCW, Pacific Alliance (observer), PCA, Petrocaribe, SICA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCO (suspended), WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO


Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission:Ambassador Jorge Alberto MILLA Reyes (since 21 May 2014)
chancery:Suite 4-M, 3007 Tilden Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:[1] (202) 966-2604
FAX:[1] (202) 966-9751
consulate(s) general:Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, McAllen (TX), Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco


Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission:Ambassador Lisa J. KUBISKE (since 26 July 2011)
embassy:Avenida La Paz, Apartado Postal No. 3453, Tegucigalpa
mailing address:American Embassy, APO AA 34022, Tegucigalpa
telephone:[504] 2236-9320, 2238-5114
FAX:[504] 2236-9037


Flag description:
three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and blue, with five blue, five-pointed stars arranged in an X pattern centered in the white band; the stars represent the members of the former Federal Republic of Central America - Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua; the blue bands symbolize the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea; the white band represents the land between the two bodies of water and the peace and prosperity of its people


National symbol(s):
scarlet macaw; white-tailed deer


National anthem:
name:'Himno Nacional de Honduras' (National Anthem of Honduras)

lyrics/music:Augusto Constancio COELLO/Carlos HARTLING
note:adopted 1915; the anthem's seven verses chronicle Honduran history; on official occasions, only the chorus and last verse are sung

Economy

Economy - overview:
Honduras, the second poorest country in Central America, suffers from extraordinarily unequal distribution of income, as well as high underemployment. While historically dependent on the export of bananas and coffee, Honduras has diversified its export base to include apparel and automobile wire harnessing. Nearly half of Honduras's economic activity is directly tied to the US, with exports to the US accounting for 30% of GDP and remittances for another 20%. The US-Central America-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR) came into force in 2006 and has helped foster foreign direct investment, but physical and political insecurity, as well as crime and perceptions of corruption, may deter potential investors; about 70% of FDI is from US firms. The economy registered modest economic growth of 3.0%-4.0% from 2010 to 2012, insufficient to improve living standards for the nearly 65% of the population in poverty. An 18-month IMF Standby Arrangement expired in March 2012 and was not renewed, due to the country's growing budget deficit and weak current account performance. Public sector workers complained of not receiving their salaries in November and December 2012, and government suppliers are owed at least several hundred million dollars in unpaid contracts. The government announced in January 2013 that loss-making public enterprises will be forced to submit financial rescue plans before receiving their budget allotments for 2013.


GDP (purchasing power parity):
$39.23 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 108
$38.16 billion (2012 est.)
$36.74 billion (2011 est.)
note:data are in 2013 US dollars


GDP (official exchange rate):
$18.88 billion (2013 est.)


GDP - real growth rate:
2.8% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 125
3.9% (2012 est.)
3.8% (2011 est.)


GDP - per capita (PPP):
$4,800 (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 164
$4,800 (2012 est.)
$4,700 (2011 est.)
note:data are in 2013 US dollars


Gross national saving:
17.7% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 92
16.4% of GDP (2012 est.)
17.5% of GDP (2011 est.)


GDP - composition, by end use:
household consumption:79.5%
government consumption:16.4%
investment in fixed capital:25.2%
investment in inventories:1.2%
exports of goods and services:51.5%
imports of goods and services:-73.8%
(2013 est.)


GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
agriculture:14%
industry:28.2%
services:57.8% (2013 est.)


Agriculture - products:
bananas, coffee, citrus, corn, African palm; beef; timber; shrimp, tilapia, lobster


Industries:
sugar, coffee, woven and knit apparel, wood products, cigars


Industrial production growth rate:
4.6% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 62

Labor force:
3.507 million (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 96


Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture:39.2%
industry:20.9%
services:39.8% (2005 est.)


Unemployment rate:
4.5% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 43
4.4% (2012 est.)
note:about one-third of the people are underemployed


    Population below poverty line:
60% (2010 est.)


Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%:0.4%
highest 10%:42.4% (2009 est.)


Distribution of family income - Gini index:
57.7 (2007)
country comparison to the world: 8
53.8 (2003)


Budget:
revenues:$3.113 billion
expenditures:$4.285 billion (2013 est.)


Taxes and other revenues:
16.5% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 185

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
-6.2% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 181


Public debt:
40.6% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 87
35.8% of GDP (2012 est.)


Fiscal year:
calendar year


Inflation rate (consumer prices):
5.2% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 158
5.2% (2012 est.)


Central bank discount rate:
6.25% (31 December 2010 est.)
NA% (31 December 2009 est.)


Commercial bank prime lending rate:
17.8% (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 21
18.45% (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of narrow money:
$1.781 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 130
$1.913 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of broad money:
$6.845 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 117
$6.801 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of domestic credit:
$10.5 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 97
$10.43 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA


Current account balance:
-$1.636 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 135
-$1.744 billion (2012 est.)


Exports:
$7.881 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 102
$7.931 billion (2012 est.)


Exports - commodities:
apparel, coffee, shrimp, automobile wire harnesses, cigars, bananas, gold, palm oil, fruit, lobster, lumber


Exports - partners:
US 34.5%, Germany 11.6%, Belgium 6.8%, El Salvador 6.6%, Guatemala 4.9%, Nicaragua 4.6% (2012)


Imports:
$11.34 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 94
$11.18 billion (2012 est.)


Imports - commodities:
machinery and transport equipment, industrial raw materials, chemical products, fuels, foodstuffs


Imports - partners:
US 44.3%, Guatemala 8.5%, El Salvador 5.7%, Mexico 5.6%, China 4.7%, Costa Rica 4.1% (2012)


Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$2.414 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 117
$2.533 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Debt - external:
$6.173 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 114
$5.233 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Exchange rates:
lempiras (HNL) per US dollar -
20.53 (2013 est.)
19.638 (2012 est.)
18.9 (2010 est.)
18.9 (2009)
18.983 (2008)

Energy

Electricity - production:
6.486 billion kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 111


Electricity - consumption:
4.85 billion kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 115


Electricity - exports:
22 million kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 87


Electricity - imports:
22 million kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 104


Electricity - installed generating capacity:
1.701 million kW (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 110


Electricity - from fossil fuels:
63.7% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 124


Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 105


Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
30.9% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 78


Electricity - from other renewable sources:
5.4% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 44


Crude oil - production:
20 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 126


Crude oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 126


Crude oil - imports:
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 200


    Crude oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 145


Refined petroleum products - production:
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 156


Refined petroleum products - consumption:
58,150 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 95


Refined petroleum products - exports:
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 186


Refined petroleum products - imports:
46,370 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 72


Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 144


Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 157


Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 117


Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 205


Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 150


Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
7.975 million Mt (2011 est.)

Communications

Telephones - main lines in use:
610,000 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 91


Telephones - mobile cellular:
7.37 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 93


Telephone system:
general assessment:fixed-line connections are increasing but still limited; competition among multiple providers of mobile-cellular services is contributing to a sharp increase in subscribership
domestic:beginning in 2003, private sub-operators allowed to provide fixed-lines in order to expand telephone coverage contributing to a small increase in fixed-line teledensity; mobile-cellular subscribership is roughly 100 per 100 persons
international:country code - 504; landing point for both the Americas Region Caribbean Ring System (ARCOS-1) and the MAYA-1 fiber-optic submarine cable system that together provide connectivity to South and Central America, parts of the Caribbean, and the US; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); connected to Central American Microwave System (2011)



    Broadcast media:
multiple privately owned terrestrial TV networks, supplemented by multiple cable TV networks; Radio Honduras is the lone government-owned radio network; roughly 300 privately owned radio stations (2007)


Internet country code:
.hn


Internet hosts:
30,955 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 107


Internet users:
731,700 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 108

Transportation

Airports
103 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 54


Airports - with paved runways
total:13
2,438 to 3,047 m:3
1,524 to 2,437 m:3
914 to 1,523 m:4
under 914 m:3 (2013)


Airports - with unpaved runways
total:90
1,524 to 2,437 m:1
914 to 1,523 m:16
under 914 m:
73 (2013)


Railways
total:44 kmcountry comparison to the world: 131
narrow gauge:44 km 1.067-m gauge
note:(4 km are in use) (2012)


    Roadways
total:14,742 kmcountry comparison to the world: 123
paved:3,367 km
unpaved:11,375 km (1,543 km summer only)
note:there are another 8,951 km of non-offical roads used by the coffee industry (2012)


Waterways
465 km (most navigable only by small craft) (2012)
country comparison to the world: 85


Merchant marine
total:88country comparison to the world: 55
by type:bulk carrier 5, cargo 39, carrier 2, chemical tanker 5, container 1, passenger 4, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 21, refrigerated cargo 7, roll on/roll off 3
foreign-owned:47 (Bahrain 5, Canada 1, Chile 1, China 2, Egypt 2, Greece 4, Israel 1, Japan 4, Lebanon 2, Montenegro 1, Panama 1, Singapore 11, South Korea 6, Taiwan 1, Thailand 2, UAE 1, UK 1, US 1) (2010)



Ports and terminals
major seaport(s):La Ceiba, Puerto Cortes, San Lorenzo, Tela

Military

Military branches
Honduran Armed Forces (Fuerzas Armadas de Honduras, FFAA): Army, Navy (includes Naval Infantry), Honduran Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Hondurena, FAH) (2012)


Military service age and obligation
18 years of age for voluntary 2- to 3-year military service; no conscription (2012)


Manpower available for military service
males age 16-49:2,045,914
females age 16-49:1,991,418 (2010 est.)


Manpower fit for military service
males age 16-49:1,525,578
females age 16-49:1,539,688 (2010 est.)


    Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually
male:95,895
female:92,087 (2010 est.)


Military expenditures
1.05% of GDP (2012)
country comparison to the world: 97
1.13% of GDP (2011)
1.05% of GDP (2010)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international
International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled on the delimitation of 'bolsones' (disputed areas) along the El Salvador-Honduras border in 1992 with final settlement by the parties in 2006 after an Organization of American States survey and a further ICJ ruling in 2003; the 1992 ICJ ruling advised a tripartite resolution to a maritime boundary in the Gulf of Fonseca with consideration of Honduran access to the Pacific; El Salvador continues to claim tiny Conejo Island, not mentioned in the ICJ ruling, off Honduras in the Gulf of Fonseca; Honduras claims the Belizean-administered Sapodilla Cays off the coast of Belize in its constitution, but agreed to a joint ecological park around the cays should Guatemala consent to a maritime corridor in the Caribbean under the OAS-sponsored 2002 Belize-Guatemala Differendum


    Refugees and internally displaced persons
IDPs:17,000 (violence, extortion, threats, forced recruitment by urban gangs) (2013 est.)


Trafficking in persons



Illicit drugs
transshipment point for drugs and narcotics; illicit producer of cannabis, cultivated on small plots and used principally for local consumption; corruption is a major problem; some money-laundering activity
 Information/ Data by CIA - The World Factbook

LookForAttorney.com | Country Guide of Montserrat

Country Guide

Montserrat Facts

Geography People and Society Government Economy Communications Transportation Military Transnational Issues

Geography

Location:
Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, southeast of Puerto Rico


Geographic coordinates:
16 45 N, 62 12 W


Map references:
Central America and the Caribbean


Area:
total:102 sq kmcountry comparison to the world: 226
land:102 sq km
water:0 sq km


Area - comparative:
about 0.6 times the size of Washington, DC


Land boundaries:
territorial sea:3 nm
exclusive fishing zone:200 nm


Climate:
tropical; little daily or seasonal temperature variation


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


    Elevation extremes:
lowest point:Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point:lava dome in English's Crater (in the Soufriere Hills volcanic complex) estimated at over 930 m (2006)


Natural resources:
NEGL


Land use:
arable land:20%
permanent crops:0%
other:80% (2011)


Irrigated land:
NA


Natural hazards:
volcanic eruptions; severe hurricanes (June to November)


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


Geography - note:
the island is entirely volcanic in origin and comprised of three major volcanic centers of differing ages

People and Society

Nationality:
noun: Montserratian(s)
adjective:Montserratian


Ethnic groups:
African/black 88.4%, mixed 3.7%, hispanic/Spanish 3%, caucasian/white 2.7%, East Indian/Indian 1.5%, other 0.7% (2011 est.)


Languages:
English


Religions:
Protestant 67.1% (includes Anglican 21.8%, Methodist 17%, Pentecostal 14.1%, Seventh Day Adventist 10.5%, and Church of God 3.7%), Roman Catholic 11.6%, Rastafarian 1.4%, other 6.5%, none 2.6%, unspecified 10.8% (2001 est.)


Population:
5,215country comparison to the world: 231
note:an estimated 8,000 refugees left the island following the resumption of volcanic activity in July 1995; some have returned (July 2014 est.)



Age structure:
0-14 years:17.6% (male 472/female 445)
15-24 years:21.5% (male 588/female 531)
25-54 years:47.9% (male 1,190/female 1,309)
55-64 years:6.9% (male 160/female 200)
65 years and over:6.2% (male 196/female 124) (2014 est.)


Median age:
total:31.4 years
male:30.9 years
female:31.9 years (2014 est.)


Population growth rate:
0.48% (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 157


Birth rate:
11.31 births/1,000 population (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 174


Death rate:
6.52 deaths/1,000 population (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 150


Net migration rate:
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 89


Urbanization:
urban population:14.2% of total population (2011)
rate of urbanization:1.89% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)


Sex ratio:
at birth:1.04 male(s)/female
0-14 years:1.06 male(s)/female
15-24 years:1.11 male(s)/female
25-54 years:0.91 male(s)/female
55-64 years:1 male(s)/female
65 years and over:1.55 male(s)/female
total population:1 male(s)/female (2014 est.)


    Infant mortality rate:
total:13.66 deaths/1,000 live birthscountry comparison to the world: 116
male:10.54 deaths/1,000 live births
female:16.92 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)


Life expectancy at birth:
total population:73.9 yearscountry comparison to the world: 119
male:75.48 years
female:72.24 years (2014 est.)


Total fertility rate:
1.29 children born/woman (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 216


Drinking water source:
improved:
urban: 99% of population
rural: 99% of population
total: 99% of population
unimproved:
urban: 1% of population
rural: 1% of population
total: 1% of population (2012 est.)


Sanitation facility access:
improved:
urban: 82.9% of population
rural: 82.9% of population
total: 82.9% of population
unimproved:
urban: 17.1% of population
rural: 17.1% of population
total: 17.1% of population (2007 est.)


HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
NA


HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
NA


HIV/AIDS - deaths:
NA


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


School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total:15 years
male:14 years
female:17 years (2007)

Government

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


Dependency status:
overseas territory of the UK


Government type:
NA


Capital:
name:Plymouth; note - Plymouth was abandoned in 1997 because of volcanic activity; interim government buildings have been built at Brades Estate in the Carr's Bay/Little Bay vicinity at the northwest end of Montserrat
geographic coordinates:16 42 N, 62 13 W
time difference:UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)


Administrative divisions:
3 parishes; Saint Anthony, Saint Georges, Saint Peter


Independence:
none (overseas territory of the UK)


National holiday:
birthday of Queen ELIZABETH II, second Saturday in June (1926)


Constitution:
previous 1960; latest effective 1 September 2010; amended 2011 (2012)


Legal system:
English common law


Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal


Executive branch:
chief of state:Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor Adrian DAVIS (since 8 April 2011)
head of government:Premier Rueben T. MEADE (since 27 September 2011); note - the office of premier came into effect with the new Constitution Order; he replaces the chief minister
cabinet:Executive Council consists of the governor, the premier, 3 other ministers, the attorney general, and the finance secretary
elections:the monarchy is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party usually becomes premier


Legislative branch:
unicameral Legislative Council (11 seats; 9 members popularly elected to serve five-year terms; the attorney general and financial secretary sit as ex-officio members)
elections:last held on 8 September 2009 (next to be held by 2014)
election results:percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - MCAP 6, independents 3


    Judicial branch:
highest court(s):the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC) is the itinerant superior court of record for the 9-member Organization of Eastern Caribbean States to include Montserrat; the ECSC - with its headquarters on St. Lucia - is headed by the chief justice and is comprised of the Court of Appeal with 3 justices and the High Court with 16 judges; sittings of the Court of Appeal and High Court rotate among the 9 member states; 1 judge of the Supreme Court is a resident of Montserrat and presides over the High Court
note - Montserrat is also a member of the Caribbean Court of Justice
judge selection and term of office:Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court chief justice appointed by Her Majesty, Queen ELIZABETH II; other justices and judges appointed by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission; Court of Appeal justices appointed for life with mandatory retirement at age 65; High Court judges appointed for life with mandatory retirement at age 62
subordinate courts:magistrate's court


Political parties and leaders:
Montserrat Democratic Party or MDP [Lowell LEWIS]
Movement for Change and Prosperity or MCAP [Roselyn CASSELL-SEALY]
New People's Liberation Movement or NPLM [John A. OSBORNE]


Political pressure groups and leaders:
NA


International organization participation:
Caricom, CDB, Interpol (subbureau), OECS, UPU


Diplomatic representation in the US:
note:as a territory of the United Kingdom, 'God Save the Queen' is official (see United Kingdom)

Economy

Economy - overview:
Severe volcanic activity, which began in July 1995, has put a damper on this small, open economy. A catastrophic eruption in June 1997 closed the airport and seaports, causing further economic and social dislocation. Two-thirds of the 12,000 inhabitants fled the island. Some began to return in 1998 but lack of housing limited the number. The agriculture sector continued to be affected by the lack of suitable land for farming and the destruction of crops. Prospects for the economy depend largely on developments in relation to the volcanic activity and on public sector construction activity. Half of the island remains uninhabitable. In January 2013, the EU announced the disbursement of a $55.2 million aid package to Montserrat in order to boost the country's economic recovery, with a specific focus on public finance management, public sector reform, and prudent economic management.


GDP (purchasing power parity):
$43.78 million (2006 est.)
country comparison to the world: 225

GDP (official exchange rate):
$NA


GDP - real growth rate:
3.5% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 97

GDP - per capita (PPP):
$8,500 (2006 est.)
country comparison to the world: 130

GDP - composition, by end use:
household consumption:84.8%
government consumption:47.1%
investment in fixed capital:26%
investment in inventories:0%
exports of goods and services:23%
imports of goods and services:-80.9%
(2013 est.)


GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
agriculture:1.6%
industry:23.2%
services:75.1% (2013 est.)


Agriculture - products:
cabbages, carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, peppers; livestock products


Industries:
tourism, rum, textiles, electronic appliances


Industrial production growth rate:
2% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 125

Labor force:
4,521 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 223


Unemployment rate:
6% (1998 est.)
country comparison to the world: 61

Population below poverty line:
NA%


Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%:NA%
highest 10%:NA%


    Budget:
revenues:$31.4 million
expenditures:$37.04 million (2011 est.)


Fiscal year:
1 April - 31 March


Inflation rate (consumer prices):
4.5% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 146
4.8% (2012 est.)


Central bank discount rate:
10.99% (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 48
6.5% (31 December 2009 est.)


Commercial bank prime lending rate:
8.3% (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 110
8.16% (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of narrow money:
$19.5 million (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 188
$17.54 million (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of broad money:
$89.96 million (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 192
$81.79 million (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of domestic credit:
$4.074 million (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 178
$5.185 million (31 December 2011 est.)


Exports:
$3.6 million (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 218
$2.3 million (2012 est.)


Exports - commodities:
electronic components, plastic bags, apparel; hot peppers, limes, live plants; cattle


Imports:
$30 million (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 218
$32.5 million (2012 est.)


Imports - commodities:
machinery and transportation equipment, foodstuffs, manufactured goods, fuels, lubricants, and related materials


Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$32.08 million (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 169
$24.81 million (31 December 2011 est.)


Debt - external:
$8.9 million (1997)
country comparison to the world: 197

Exchange rates:
East Caribbean dollars (XCD) per US dollar -
2.7 (2013 est.)
2.7 (2012 est.)
2.7 (2010 est.)
2.7 (2009)

Energy

Electricity - production:
24 million kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 214


Electricity - consumption:
22.32 million kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 214


Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 164


Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 168


Electricity - installed generating capacity:
10,000 kW (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 206


Electricity - from fossil fuels:
100% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 23


Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 134


Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 183


Electricity - from other renewable sources:
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 199


Crude oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 193


Crude oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 149


Crude oil - imports:
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 89


    Crude oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 160


Refined petroleum products - production:
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 170


Refined petroleum products - consumption:
1,000 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 201


Refined petroleum products - exports:
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 196


Refined petroleum products - imports:
569 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 203


Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 162


Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 168


Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 143


Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 92


Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 166


Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
87,860 Mt (2011 est.)

Communications

Telephones - main lines in use:
3,000 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 214


Telephones - mobile cellular:
4,000 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 214


Telephone system:
general assessment:modern and fully digitalized
domestic:combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity exceeds 100 per 100 persons
international:country code - 1-664; landing point for the East Caribbean Fiber System (ECFS) optic submarine cable with links to 13 other islands in the eastern Caribbean extending from the British Virgin Islands to Trinidad (2011)



    Broadcast media:
Radio Montserrat, a public radio broadcaster, transmits on 1 station and has a repeater transmission to a second station; repeater transmissions from the GEM Radio Network of Trinidad and Tobago provide another 2 radio stations; cable and satellite TV available (2007)


Internet country code:
.ms


Internet hosts:
2,431 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 160


Internet users:
1,200 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 213

Transportation

Airports
1 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 225


Airports - with paved runways
total:1
under 914 m:1 (2013)


Roadways
note:volcanic eruptions that began in 1995 destroyed most of the 227 km road system; a new road infrastructure has been built on the north end of the island (2008)

    Ports and terminals
major seaport(s):Little Bay, Plymouth

Military

Military branches
no regular military forces; Royal Montserrat Police Force (2011)


Manpower available for military service
males age 16-49:1,353 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service
males age 16-49:1,135
females age 16-49:1,223 (2010 est.)


    Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually
male:35
female:34 (2010 est.)


Military - note
defense is the responsibility of the UK

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international
none


    Illicit drugs
transshipment point for South American narcotics destined for the US and Europe
 Information/ Data by CIA - The World Factbook