Long-form name: none

Type: colony of the UK

Capital: Plymouth

Administrative divisions: 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), 10 June 1989

Branches: Executive Council presided over by governor, consisting of two ex officio members (attorney general and financial officer) and four unofficial members (chief minister and three other ministers); Legislative Council presided over by speaker chosen from outside the Council, seven elected, two official, and two nominated members

Leaders: @m5Chief of State--Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor Christopher J. TURNER (since 1987); @m5Head of Government--Chief Minister John A. OSBORNE (since 1978)

Suffrage: universal over age 18

Elections: at least once every five years; last held 25 August 1987

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

Voting strengths: (1987 election) PLM 4 seats, NDP 2 seats, PDP 1 seat

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

NOTE: The information regarding Montserrat on this page is re-published from the 1989 World Fact Book of the United States Central Intelligence Agency. No claims are made regarding the accuracy of Montserrat Government 1989 information contained here. All suggestions for corrections of any errors about Montserrat Government 1989 should be addressed to the CIA.