World Factbook
Montserrat
Last updated: 2026-03-28 (today)
Flag
description: blue with the UK flag in the upper-left quadrant and the Montserratian coat of arms centered in the right half of the flag; the arms show a woman in a green dress standing beside a yellow harp and embracing a large, dark-brown cross with her right arm meaning: the woman is Erin, the female personification of Ireland, the harp is an Irish symbol, and the cross represents the Christian faith; blue stands for awareness, trustworthiness, determination, and righteousness
Capital
name
Plymouth
note
note: Plymouth was abandoned in 1997 because of volcanic activity; interim government buildings have been built at Brades Estate, the de facto capital, at the northwest end of Montserrat
etymology
now entirely deserted because of volcanic activity, the city was named after Plymouth, England
time difference
UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
geographic coordinates
16 42 N, 62 13 W
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Citizenship
see United Kingdom
Constitution
history
previous 1960; latest put into force 20 October 2010 (The Montserrat Constitution Order 2010)
Country name
etymology
explorer Christopher COLUMBUS named the island in 1493 after the Benedictine abbey Santa Maria de Montserrat, near Barcelona, Spain
conventional long form
none
conventional short form
Montserrat
Independence
none (overseas territory of the UK)
Legal system
English common law
Government type
parliamentary democracy; self-governing overseas territory of the UK
Judicial branch
highest court(s)
the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC) is the superior court of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States; the ECSC is headquartered on St. Lucia and consists of the Court of Appeal -- headed by the chief justice and 4 judges -- and the High Court with 18 judges; the Court of Appeal travels to member states on a schedule to hear appeals from the High Court and subordinate courts; Montserrat is a member of the Caribbean Court of Justice
subordinate courts
magistrate's court
judge selection and term of office
chief justice of Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court appointed by the British monarch; other justices and judges appointed by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission, and independent body of judicial officials; 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
Executive branch
cabinet
Executive Council consists of the governor, the premier, 3 other ministers, the attorney general, and the finance secretary
chief of state
King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Governor Sarah TUCKER (since 6 April 2023)
head of government
Premier Easton TAYLOR-FARRELL (since 19 November 2019)
election/appointment process
the monarchy is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party usually becomes premier
National holiday
Official birthday of King Charles III, usually celebrated the second Saturday in June (1948)
Dependency status
overseas territory of the UK
Political parties
Movement for Change and Prosperity or MCAP People's Democratic Movement or PDM
Legislative branch
note
note: the Assembly elects the speaker from the outside for a 5-year term; the Assembly includes 2 ex-officio members, the attorney general and the financial secretary
term in office
5 years
number of seats
12 (directly elected)
electoral system
plurality/majority
legislature name
Legislative Assembly
scope of elections
full renewal
legislative structure
unicameral
most recent election date
11/18/2019
expected date of next election
2024
percentage of women in chamber
33.3%
parties elected and seats per party
MCAP (5); PDM (3); independent (1)
National anthem(s)
title
"God Save the King"
history
official anthem, as a UK territory
lyrics/music
unknown
National coat of arms
Montserrat's coat of arms dates back to 1909 and reflects the country's Irish settlers, who first arrived in 1632; the woman in the green dress is Erin, the personification of Ireland, and she holds Ireland's symbol, a gold harp; the cross represents Christianity, Monserrat's predominant religion
Administrative divisions
3 parishes; Saint Anthony, Saint Georges, Saint Peter
Diplomatic representation in the US
none (overseas territory of the UK)
Diplomatic representation from the US
embassy
none (overseas territory of the UK); alternate contact is the US Embassy in Barbados [1] (246) 227-4000; US Embassy Bridgetown, Wildey Business Park, St. Michael BB 14006, Barbados, WI
International organization participation
Caricom, CDB, Interpol (subbureau), OECS, UPU